Help! Looking for books

[Kevster]

I want to buy a Bonsai book off of Amazon. Can anyone suggest some?
I know there are some really great books but some really great books cost really great amounts of money. I don't really want to spend hundred+ dollars.

Thanks!
Kevin

 

[bonsai barry]

John Naka's books, Bonsai Techniques 1 & 2 seem to be the gold standard of excellence but rarely drop below fifty or sixty bucks (although I found an autographed copy for $15!). Two of my favorite books are:
Bonsai by Dborah Koreshoff (has a slight Australian basis), and The Living Art of Bonsai by Amy Liang. Both of these show up on Ebay on occassion for less than $20.

 

[jk_lewis]

http://www.bonsaisite.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19258

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

If you have the basics down, go for books with lots of great photographs! No better way to develop an eye for design than to look at LOTS of trees. A kokufu book, Kobayashi's book, Classic bonsai of Japan,Best of Europe, and of course, Gnarly Branches, although I admit I haven't seen or purchased it...yet.

 

[Stan Kengai]

Kevin, I have the Living Art of Bonsai book that bonsai barry suggested. It's funny that it came up because I was just browsing through it this morning. It is a late 90's edition, not sure if they're is a more recent one. It has many pictures of excellent bonsai and a lot of "Chinese style" that we rarely see. There is a lot of information in it, but most of it is very general and rather basic. Advanced topics are mostly just touched on a bit. If you want it, PM me your address and I'll send it this week. I also have several beginner books that I am willing to part with, though I'm sure you're beyond those. If anyone wants the beginner books, PM me.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

A kokufu book, Kobayashi's book, Classic bonsai of Japan,Best of Europe, ....

All of the above are great you can also consider North American Bonsai (a great book) http://www.stonelantern.com/Bonsai_Tree_North_American_Bonsai_p/b1north-o.htm

and of course, Gnarly Branches, although I admit I haven't seen or purchased it...yet.

For shame Brian!!! and YES this is a book you should own .... its so much more than just bonsai ... dozens of beautiful images in the gallery and an amazing life story of an obsession with great trees ....
http://elandangardens.com/gnarlybranches/gnarly_branches.html

 

[tmmason10]

I need to get gnarly branches as well. I actually really liked Harry Harringtons book that I was able to get on my iPad. I plan on getting some kokufu books for inspiration at some point.

 

[Kevster]

Thank you everyone! I have made a list of books from what was listed and will watch for them to buy.

jkl great link! I just ordered one of the books from that lists. Thanks!

 

[Ang3lfir3]

because I forgot to mention it earlier.... the only way to get a copy signed by Daniel, Will and Victrinia is to purchase it from the link I included.... all others are unsigned

 

[xghostx]

Here is what I currently own if anyone wants to buy/barter/trade/borrow just drop me a PM

Bonsai Inspirations by Harry Harrington signed
Bonsai Today masters series Pines by stone lantern
The complete book of bonsai by harry tomlinson (hardcover)
Shohin Bonsai by Morten Albek
Bonsai School by Craig Coussins
Bonsai with japanese maple by Peter Adams (hard cover)
Four season of bonsai by Kyuzo Murata (hard cover)
Bonsai Masterclass by peter chan
The Bonsai workshop by herb l. gustafson
bonsai a care manual by colin lewis (hard cover)
Boons jap maple DVD

 

[FrankP999]

Bonsai with Japanese Maple by Peter Adams (I have both the hard cover and the soft cover editions) are great.

 

[cmeg1]

I would highley reccommend(from stonelantern )Bonsai Today's Masters Series Pines.It is a great pine book that is tailored to your growing region,the Mid atlantic region.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I would highley reccommend(from stonelantern )Bonsai Today's Masters Series Pines.It is a great pine book that is tailored to your growing region,the Mid atlantic region.

...assuming you don't have all the Bonsai Today magazines each of the articles appeared in, and assuming you do want Persiano's additional commentary...then yes, it's convenient to have a dense amount pine articles in one book. Considering the vast number of articles on pines that weremtranslated for BT, it would be interesting to understand how Wayne and crew landed on this set.

 

[rock]

books ,eh. this is where I go to drool...

http://www.japanese-book.com/item/list/33

 

[jk_lewis]

That is a nice collection of books. Odd pricing, though. I own that first shohin book, and got it hot off the press a lot cheaper than that. The prices on the kokufu exhibit books are amazingly low. I paid too much for the two I own (which are there for $44).

Of course I didn't drill down to find where this guy is located. If in Japan, shipping may bring the price up considerably.

 

[John Romano]

Jim,
You have the Matsudaira book (top right - green floral print cover)? That is a 'must' for shohin bonsai enthusiasts. His influence on the popularity of shohin bonsai in Japan was pivotal. You're showing your age, though, as this book has been out of print a long time ;-0 Published in 1975. $150 is pretty much the going price for it now in very good condition. I wrote a brief history of shohin bonsai for my column in International Bonsai magazine last issue that has him as one of the influences on the spread of the popularity of shohin bonsai in Japan. You can see a picture here: http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/days/DaysSepb.html
John