[IBC] Book Recommendations

Craig O'Connell

Hi all,

I am looking for recommendations of bonsai books that might help a
"beginner" who has some experience growing and styling bonsai plants.
I noticed that Stone Lantern recommends "the Bonsai Handbook" (by David
Prescott and Colin Lewis) for beginner and intermediate level folks. I
already have the Bonsai book by Sunset.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Craig O'Connell

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

Advertisement

Henrik Gistvall

Depends on what you´re looking for. If it´s styling I would go for
Bonsai techniques I & II by John Naka. If you wan´t information about specifik plants I would rather order back issues of Bonsai Today, Bonsai Europe that contains articles with that species. You will probably not find much difference between the sunset book and the Bonsai handbook.
One beginners book is enough.

Henrik Gistvall, Uppsala, Sweden

Billy M. Rhodes

In a message dated 7/1/04 4:24:46 AM, henrik.gistvall@SWIPNET.SE writes:

<< Depends on what you´re looking for. If it´s styling I would go for

Bonsai techniques I & II by John Naka. If you wan´t information about

specific plants I would rather order back issues of Bonsai Today, Bonsai

Europe that contains articles with that species. >>

I think this is excellent advice. Also, visit a major bookstore and ;ook
over what they have. It is nice to have a book of large color pictures to
inspire you.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

Iris Cohen

I find Harry Tomlinson's book very helpful, but there is no substitute for
attending workshops & other hands-on experience. Whenever I go to a convention,
I always attend a critique. Much more valuable than books.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

Craig Cowing

"Billy M. Rhodes" wrote:

> <snip>
>
> I think this is excellent advice. Also, visit a major bookstore and ;ook
> over what they have. It is nice to have a book of large color pictures to
> inspire you.
>
> Billy on the Florida Space Coast
>

Also good advice. My very first book was Amy Liang's "Living Art of Bonsai," which
has a 70+ page gallery at the beginning that is outstanding. It still provides me
with inspiration.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

James Harris

I have to second Craig on Amy Liang's book. I find myself referring to
it quite often. It's available in hardcover and paperback. I also like
the The Art of Bonsai Design and the Bonsai Survival Manual by Colin
Lewis. For tropicals/ficus I would recommend Jerry Meislik's new book,
Ficus, The Exotic Bonsai.

Jim
S.E. Michigan, Zone 6

>>> Craig Cowing <ccowing@FRONTIERNET.NET> 7/1/04 9:43:23 AM >>>
"Billy M. Rhodes" wrote:

> <snip>
>
> I think this is excellent advice. Also, visit a major bookstore
and ;ook
> over what they have. It is nice to have a book of large color
pictures to
> inspire you.
>
> Billy on the Florida Space Coast
>

Also good advice. My very first book was Amy Liang's "Living Art of
Bonsai," which
has a 70+ page gallery at the beginning that is outstanding. It still
provides me
with inspiration.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

Jay Sinclair

James Harris wrote:

>I have to second Craig on Amy Liang's book. I find myself referring to
>it quite often. It's available in hardcover and paperback. I also like
>the The Art of Bonsai Design and the Bonsai Survival Manual by Colin
>Lewis. For tropicals/ficus I would recommend Jerry Meislik's new book,
>Ficus, The Exotic Bonsai.
>
These are all good choices. However, growers in North America should
take Amy Liang's horticultural advice with _several_ grains of salt.

The books by Colin Lewis and Jerry Meislik offer excellent styling
advice, as well as solid horticultural information, at least in my
experience.

Another book that is often recommended to beginners is The Japanese Art
of Miniature Trees and Landscapes, by Yoshimura & Halford. I am puzzled
by this, since, although it is a classic work, and an important part of
any bonsai enthusiast's library, the horticultural advice is based on
growing bonsai in Japan in the 1950's. As a beginner, I found the book
fascinating, inspiring, and confusing. Much of the general horticultural
advice and terminology (soils, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) is either
specific to Japan, out of date, or both. There are detailed tables of
instruction for specific species that might well be useful to advanced
growers, but which I found a bit overwhelming as a beginner. The
information on styles and styling techniques is excellent, however, and
the illustrations are inspiring, although mostly in black & white.

Beginners who purchase this and Amy Liang's books should use them as
inspiration, and get their horticultural advice from people who are
successfully growing bonsai under similar circumstances to their own.

Jay, putting on my asbestos suit...

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

Craig Cowing

Jay Sinclair wrote:

> James Harris wrote:
>
> >I have to second Craig on Amy Liang's book. I find myself referring to
> >it quite often. It's available in hardcover and paperback. I also like
> >the The Art of Bonsai Design and the Bonsai Survival Manual by Colin
> >Lewis. For tropicals/ficus I would recommend Jerry Meislik's new book,
> >Ficus, The Exotic Bonsai.
> >
> These are all good choices. However, growers in North America should
> take Amy Liang's horticultural advice with _several_ grains of salt.
>
> <snip>
>
> Beginners who purchase this and Amy Liang's books should use them as
> inspiration, and get their horticultural advice from people who are
> successfully growing bonsai under similar circumstances to their own.
>
> Jay, putting on my asbestos suit...

You're right Jay. I don't follow Professor Amy in horticultural matters--just
matters of design. She lives in Taiwan. I live in southern New York state. Big
difference.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++

Justin Diaz

Overstock.com is where I tend to get most of my books. I don't have too
many, about 15, and several issues of Bonsai Today. One important thing
I've learned is that although many tips/tricks or advice about bonsai are
written in stone, much of it is not. Maybe even most. Although I don't
claim to know all about it, soil mixes and fertilizing are two major ones
that are not. How to get wisteria to flower is another. In any case, more
books = better perspective.

When I was first starting out, I thought it was really nice to have both a
beginner's book, like the Sunset Bonsai, and Something that fleshes out a
little more of the advanced techniques, many books by John Naka. This
helped me gauge my progress a little better and gave me more of a sense of
scope within my own experience. Broader perspectives are usually better.

In any case, good luck with your search!

Best,

Justin

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
>>-->> The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ <<--<<
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail BONSAI-REQUEST@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM +++++