Really Great Book   February 28, 2003

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


Truly Exceptional Bonsai Book   October 16, 2002
  6 out of 6 found this review helpful

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.


The pictures speak a thousand words   July 19, 2002
  5 out of 5 found this review helpful

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.


What an inspirational book!   May 2, 2002
  4 out of 4 found this review helpful

The way in which the author has produced exceptional bonsai from material that is easily obtainable by us all, made for captivating reading. Very helpful too, is the way in which the author has made the book easy to read and understand.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in bonsai, whether their collection is large or small, and they are novices or experienced enthusiasts.


What a great book!   April 8, 2002
  5 out of 5 found this review helpful

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!!