Dear all,
Thanks for taking the time to help out with your thoughts. Based on your feedback I am moving in the following direction:
The Naka books will stay off my shop list for now although can get them down the road once I have increased my knowledge a bit. Clearly they are seen as references. Please note I live in Switzerland so US-centric authors and books are less helpful to me.
Of the others discussed I still look for 3, perhaps 4 that will give me broad coverage. I think rockm gave some sound suggestions and advice regarding more recent offerings being particularly valuable.
In fact, it was rockm in another thread I had posted who had given me the Coussins title suggestion as well as the other authors. At the moment my list of possible purchases are from the following four authors:
Coussins - either "Bonsai for beginners" or "Bonsai school"
Lewis - either "Bonsai: A Care Manual" or "Bonsai Survival Manual"
For both of the above authors if people could perhaps indicate which of the two titles is better for a beginner I would be much obliged.
Norman - "Complete Practical Encyclopedia of Bonsai"
Koreshoff - "Bonsai -- Its Art, Science, history, and Philosophy"
That's the way I see it for now. As above, very happy if someone can guide me on the best single title for a begginer from Coussins and Lewis, and after that if people see a suggestion to narrow the field to 3 titles instead of 4 it would be much appreciated.
Best to all and many thanks,
Dave