Book Recommendations

Hey all,

So, the number one piece of advice I keep seeing on this forum is "Read as much as you can!!!"

I was hoping some of you could share your favorite bonsai book recommendations with me. I just got done reading "Bonsai with Japanese Maples" by Peter Adams. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I would love to find more tree-specific books along those lines if you know of any that are worth the time.

Thanks in advance for your advice and assistance!

Hi SBS, an idea of the species you have an interest in would help, otherwise we are just floundering.

Kev Bailey wrote:Hi SBS, an idea of the species you have an interest in would help, otherwise we are just floundering.

Good point! But, actually, I am more interested in books that people like, regardless of the species. I like to think I'm at the beginning of a long term hobby here, so even if I'm not growing it now, I may someday! And hopefully others may read this post and get recommendations that help them too.

Thus far I have personally been less drawn to pines and cedars, but feel free to include recommendations on those too. The Peter Adams maple book I just finished made me want to get about 17 different styles of maple growing, so you never know what a good book can inspire you to do.

I might have a biased view, but I'd recommend my book, "Introduction to Bonsai - Growing and Appreciating Bonsai Across the World."
Available at Haskill Creek Press. I put a few pages on my blog under the Book tab.

John Naka's books Vol.1 and Vol.2

David Joyce's "the art of natural bonsai"
Great book, one of my first, and I have about twenty, but this is the one I keep coming back to.

Hi SBS

I much enjoyed the Pines and Junipers Masterclass books produced by Stonelantern. Especially the Pines book that had lots of information of energy balancing.

Alan

Just my opinion, of course, but the "best" bonsai book is Deborah Koreshoff's "Bonsai -- Its Art, Science, History, and Philosophy." It is the book I return to over and over. Everyone should have Naka's books, of course, but I seldom open them.

So far, I have 127 different books on bonsai in English. And not a few in Japanese.

And if you liked Peter Adams' book -- and I like them very much -- he has written several on specialized groups of trees. Here's a list of his books. Some are a bit hard to find these days.

http://www.peteradamsbonsai.com/books.html

I also loved Peter Adams reworked version of his Japanese Maples but found some of his earlier books irritating in their wordiness and repetitive in some cases. Among my other favourites are Yoshimura and Covello's Art of Bonsai, Dan Barton's Bonsai (keenly awaiting the next one from him, which is due soon), Bonsai Styles of the World by Charles Ceronio plus, of course, Deborah Koreshoff's and John Naka's books.

There are lots of others that are really good, too many to list. The few duds out there are usually easily spotted, thin and poorly illustrated books with uninspiring pictures.

Wow, thanks for all the tips everyone! This will definitely give me enough to enjoy through the winter. Best!

Don't miss Colin Lewis' 'Art of Bonsai Design.' It's a discussion of design applied to different trees he created. Like many of the books already recommended, it's not a "Bonsai A to Z" book. http://www.amazon.com/Art-Bonsai-Design-Colin-Lewis/dp/1402700709

The other book I recommend to people is David De Groot's 'Basic Bonsai Design'. At $10 or so from ABS it's one of the top bargains. http://www.absbonsai.org/books/booklist.html

Don't miss Colin Lewis' 'Art of Bonsai Design.' It's a discussion of design applied to different trees he created. Like many of the books already recommended, it's not a "Bonsai A to Z" book. http://www.amazon.com/Art-Bonsai-Design-Colin-Lewis/dp/1402700709

The other book I recommend to people is David De Groot's 'Basic Bonsai Design'. At $10 or so from ABS it's one of the top bargains. http://www.absbonsai.org/books/booklist.html

I totally agree, though I might reverse this order because David's book is so inexpensive.

I know what you mean Jim, but Colin's book is out of print, so get 'em while you can...

Maybe I can safely say that get whatever book that is available to you and can easily be attained.

As for me, I only have a duplicate copy (photocopy and book bind) of John Naka's Bonsai Techniques I. I know there are other good books out there but haven't dared buying them online coz it will "cost me a leg" with the freight charges that is way off higher than the cost of the book.

Warren

Mike Pollock wrote:I know what you mean Jim, but Colin's book is out of print, so get 'em while you can...

I got mine shortly after it came out. It's a shame that bonsai books stay in print so briefly. But it IS a very small market for publishers. Deborah Koreshoff's has been out a LONG time though and was just (relatively speaking) re-issued in paperback again.

I was searching for some book recommendations and stumbled on this thread.

I just ordered the following books today (some used)...
"Bonsai: Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy" Koreshoff, Deborah R.; Paperback
"Bonsai From the Wild: Collecting, Styling & Caring for Bonsai - Completely Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition" Nick Lenz; Paperback
"The Art of Bonsai Design" Lewis, Colin; Paperback
"THE BONSAI BOOK" DAN BARTON; Hardcover

This hobby is taking me to the poor house!!!

Kev Bailey wrote:I also loved Peter Adams reworked version of his Japanese Maples but found some of his earlier books irritating in their wordiness and repetitive in some cases. Among my other favourites are Yoshimura and Covello's Art of Bonsai, Dan Barton's Bonsai (keenly awaiting the next one from him, which is due soon), Bonsai Styles of the World by Charles Ceronio plus, of course, Deborah Koreshoff's and John Naka's books.

There are lots of others that are really good, too many to list. The few duds out there are usually easily spotted, thin and poorly illustrated books with uninspiring pictures.

This is THE list can't think of any "must reads" to be added or removed.
Yoshimura's book was my first one and it really lit the flames. Much of the info is dated now but it got me going way back when.

Poink

These are excellent suggestions, Peter Adams maple book is very good and filled with eye candy, but as your newer to the hobby I suggest colin lewis Bonsai Survival Manual which I still sometimes poke into. Its nice in how he touches on many different species and what to look for when purchasing one.

-Jay

drgonzo wrote:These are excellent suggestions, Peter Adams maple book is very good and filled with eye candy, but as your newer to the hobby I suggest colin lewis Bonsai Survival Manual which I still sometimes poke into. Its nice in how he touches on many different species and what to look for when purchasing one.

Jay, both books ordered as well. Thanks!