Bonsai Life Histories

Rating:
Summary: Truly Exceptional Bonsai Book
Review: I just read Bonsai Life Histories and it is the answer to every bonsai enthusiasts dreams. It is truly exceptional. I have been looking for a book to span most of the bonsai experience spectrum and this fits the bill - and so so much more.

I own and operate a small bonsai retail store/nursery/studio and I teach classes for novices and more experienced growers here at the studio and am often asked for book recommendations. This one is at the top of the list. Even with my 14 years experience in bonsai, I found it very refreshing, as it teaches by example, rather than just instructing.

The author is both a skilled bonsai practitioner and an astute writer. Most books are blessed with one or the other (and a few have neither!). I appreciate this book and thoroughly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: What an inspirational book!
Review: I needed something to give me inspiration and confidence to renew my interest and enthusiasm for my bonsai collection. This book has provided me with both - and much more besides - and made me realize that I can improve and enhance my trees by following what the author has achieved. I am sure I will read the book over and over again whenever my enthusiasm is waning.

I disagree with the review below - Douglas Ross - the large number of case histories are all unique and packed full of incredibly useful information, including techniques that I've never seen detailed anywhere! The origin of the bonsai histories is really varied, including seed, cuttings, air-layers, trees collected from the wild and gardens, nursery stock and old specimen trees - grown in a variety of styles. Only a handful of these have been grown in the ground - and I found this method of speeding up development fascinating. Afterall, this is what they do in Japan, except they don't record the histories in such vivid detail! I will certainly be doing this in the future, and hopefully save myself years.

Thank you Martin Treasure for persuading me that I can do it - and I will!!

Rating:
Summary: Really Great Book
Review: If you are a student of bonsai and looking for basing information, then this is not a book for beginners. However, if you want to see how bonsai trees are styled and develop over time, then this will provide you with a lot of information. The pictures of the trees in development over the years are worth the price of the book.

Rating:
Summary: The pictures speak a thousand words
Review: If you are a student of bonsai and looking for basing information, then this is not a book for beginners. However, if you want to see how bonsai trees are styled and develop over time, then this will provide you with a lot of information. The pictures of the trees in development over the years are worth the price of the book.

Rating:
Summary: Really Great Book
Review: This is possibly the best and most inspiring bonsai book that I've ever had the pleasure of reading - and I've seen plenty!

It is an instruction book which shows in great detail by example how superb bonsai specimens are acheivable, with just a little patience. My trees are already looking better as a result of reading this!

Loads of great chapters complete this book, together with some really super colour pictures.

Rating:
Summary: Bonsai?
Review: Those of you who are like me and think of bonsai as a containerized tree may be disappointed in this book. Virtually every "history" contains the phase "I planted it in my yard for ??? years." To many of us that phrase would classify this book within the gardening section, not creative arts.

On the other hand, the trees are beautiful bonsai masterpieces well photographed.

Come to think of it, maybe I should hurry home and plant some of my trees in the yard.