Honeybee Hotel: The Waldorf Astoria's Rooftop Garden and the Heart of NYC

As a longtime fan of Leslie Day's books (her Field Guides to the natural world of New York City) I was looking forward to reading this wonderful new book which appeals on so many levels. The serious gardener will enjoy learning about the efforts to create a high functioning herb garden on the rooftop of the glamorous Waldorf Astoria.The devotion of the staff to tending the garden and the apiary overlooking the city is inspiring.The book navigates between chapters about bee behavior, the early history of the great American institutions cultivated by the Astor family, and the philanthropic efforts of the neighboring St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church to feed the homeless. While the book showcases New York City at it's best, it also serves as a kind of eulogy for what we are losing when we as a nation no longer value civic institutions as community anchors. Leslie Day poses this very important question to her readers, and allows us to question what it means to be a citizen.

Leslie's writing style is so easy and comfortable to read. This one is full of NYC history with wonderful photos, even some she took. I had seen the Astoria on trips to the city but never knew about the rooftop garden or the bees. I loved the way she broke up the chapters never losing the thread of the story. So sorry I missed seeing and knowing about the Honeybees.Because of this story I will work to make my flowers and plants more welcoming to these wonderful creatures.I don't know what Leslie's next work will be but can't wait to find out.Thank you for your time, research and all the effort it took to get this written.

This is a wonderfully told story, complete with some history of the Astor family and the Waldorf, some great info on bees and how the 2 are beautifully intertwined.This story of how the 300,000 honeybees that make their home at the Waldorf supply both the culinary mastery that the Waldorf’s world renowned kitchens produce and those who need help making ends meet with honey and produce is lovingly told in a story that I couldn’t put down.This is a great read and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves bees, is interested in the history of a New York institution or just loves a beautifully told story.

Delightful read. Well researched and written with love. Couldn’t put it down!

Book arrived in very good condition, as advertise, EXCEPT for the name written inside on the front cover, not the book jacket, the front cover page. I can't give this as a gift, can I? Very disappointed.