Poll: Best Bonsai Book

Juice

I realize that I haven't included too many options here, but these two books seem to be the most recommended books. Feel free to recommend others though.

I am looking for something that goes beyond basics, since I already have a few smaller books such as Bonsai Basics, Practical Bonsai, and Beautiful Bonsai. They were mainly impulse buys when I found them for cheap at a used bookstore.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

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rowan57

I dont have either of those books, but my favourite is Craig Coussins - The Bonsai School, its last section is brilliant for detailed descriptions of bonsai that have been transformed from nursery, collected and "finished" bonsai that have gone a bit wild. I think this is my definite favourite for more advanced techniques.

Rowan

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jed1238

I have the Tomlinson book and the Naka book. Naka's book is by far the better. You should also try techniques 2. Of all the books I have I find that I go back to read those two to study. I enjoyed Cossins book as well, and it has alot of nice photos. Hope this helps.

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John

Bonsainut

I have most of the books, but find I reference the magazines alot more, especally Bonsai today.

I liked Bartons book and Koreshoff (Sp?) and liang. My good buddy lit phan has a cool book on Ho non bo -Bonsai style with a Vietnamese flair.

Seems you can get a bit of magic from all of them. Naka's two are the classics.

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Lethal Use of Farce

bonsaial1

There are two schools of thought when it comes to books on bonsai.

Option 1: Inspirational only. This is book that has many pictures and dwells on the artistic display of bonsai. Most of the series from Bonsai in Europe 1,2,3 and 4, are like this. The book by Jack Douthitt or Salvatore Liporaci. Marc Noelanders also has a nice picture book that displays his trees with equal artistic talents. The book that I just procured, The Modern Bonsai, a picture book that takes display a few notches up is a real winner.

There are books from Japan and China that also fit this catagory but are much harder to get your hands on. The books from The annual Gafu-ten or Sakufu, or Taiken are very nice though pricy to obtain. These typw books will show you the correct finished product. I have no idea why instructional books on bonsai over the last 20 years have included pictures of bonsai that were marginal at best. The good news is, they are getting better.

Option 2: Bonsai Technique. This is the meat and potatoes of bonsai. This where you learn the basic techniques and horticulture needs of the specific plants that you may wish to keep. Do not buy an instructional book based on the pictures. This is a losing proposition in my opinion. Buy one good book on technique, and don't let anyone fool you, they ALL cover the basics pretty well. Naka's I and II are very nice and go into more advanced techniques that will carry one to all levals of bonsai and beyond. There is not much need to hear the basics told a half a dozen ways. Why? Spend the money on good picture books that show correct proportion, style, shape and artistic elements missing in so many bonsai.

Some good books to own as your only basic bonsai technique book would be Liang, Thomlinson, Naka, Adams.

Bonus Option 3: The Internet. There are many sights devoted to display and technique right here and you don't have to buy any of them. Do a Google search under "images"- "bonsai"and pick out some of the more artistic plants and follow the links to some amazing sights.

Hope this helps, :|: Bonsai-al

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