AusBonsai

I'm just developing an interest in Bonsai - enjoying reading through these forums and am learning a lot!

I'd like to purchase a couple of books on bonsai and was wondering what ones are recommended reading? Ideally looking for ones relating to style and training.

Bonsai Art and Technique
by Jennifer Wilkinson

First Published 1993 (Red Cover)
Reprinted 1996 (Pink Cover)

Out of print now but secondhand copies are nearly always available on ebay for about $20 or less.

A great book for a beginner!

Good luck with your bonsai.

I love the Koreshoff's books, they are all great and very relevant to where we live

The first one I read, and still read now is:
Bonsai in Australia - by Vita and Dorothy Koreshoff - ISBN: 0908175639 / 0-908175-63-9

This has been reccomended to me a lot, but have not got around to getting it yet... but I've heard it from enough people to know its a good read:
Bonsai : Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy - Deborah Koreshoff - ISBN: 0908175752 / 0-908175-75-2

Also, have a search around on the forums, as there are a few threads like this that'll have different books posted

my selections would be:-

Bonsai : Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy - Deborah Koreshoff
Bonsai Techniques volumes 1 and 2 - John Naka

The Bonsai Techniques books can be expensive to purchase but are well worth the price.
I have read them several times and still something new sinks in with every read.

Regards,

Mike

Cheers guys - I'll keep an eye out for Korehoffs books.

The John Naka books look great but I'll wait until the bug bites a bit harder before committing to that much cash!

Bonsai Techniques 1 is the first book anyone should get if they are interested in getting it right.

The book was written almost 40 years ago but is still spot on.

Grant

I highly recommend 'Bonsai : Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy' by Deborah Koreshoff too. A great detailed book for Aussie bonsai.

Also have 'Bonsai in Australia' & 'Bonsai With Australian Native Plants' by Dorothy & Vita Koreshoff. While they have been out of print for probably 25+ years they both provide good, basic information for bonsai in Australian conditions.

Purchased all 3 of these from ebay, about the only place you will find the last 2.

I have a few other books I refer to on occasions but like most they are written for northern hemisphere conditions & you need to be careful with how you apply the information. Would love to read the 'Bonsai Techniques' books but they are quite expensive if/when you can find them, so they remain on the wish list for now.

Cheers

"The Complete Book of Bonsai" by Harry Tomlinson is my pick
Lovely presentation and descriptions.

Ken

I like the picture books. Looking back at them from time to time always renews intrest. The how to books are mostly pretty crappy. I've had or seen them all and didn't learn very much from them. Instead get all the International Bonsai mags and the Bonsai Today mags for Japanese technique. Leaning how to wire by lots of practice and looking at as many masterpeices from Japan is the best way forward. John Naka and Deb Koreshoff are only average IMO.