Reviews

With color photographs on almost every page, Coussin's guide forms a lovely and thorough introduction to the ancient art of bonsai gardening. The book covers every aspect of the art, from choosing a plant and a pot to training a bonsai with wiring and pruning techniques. In addition to introductory sections on the evolution of bonsai and the relation between bonsai gardening and Buddhism, the book contains dozens of short articles by experienced bonsai gardeners from around the world. Italian gardener Patrizia Capellaro, for example, explains how to style a large juniper bonsai, while American Lit Van Phan analyzes how the miniature landscape style Hon Non Bo reflects the larger landscapes of Viet Nam. For anyone eager to try his or her hand at a hobby that just might offer "a lifelong path to enlightenment," as Coussins suggests, this is an excellent manual. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.