Customer Reviews

Professionals Book of Koi

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found this book to be quite informative, had found a copy in the library and wanted one of my own. For the Koi enthusiast, or beginning breeder of same, this book is a must have, the photos are fantastic, it's another great book to add to my collection of similar books on Koi.

This is more of a book geared toward beginners and enthusiasts. Too often the comments are very general in character -- under anatomy, for instance, the author tells us that koi have all the usual internal organs one would expect -- and the author frequently refers the reader to other publications. There are numerous very nice color photographs and the book is easy to read. It just scratches the surface, however, and so is perhaps not aptly named.

The Professional's Book of Koi is little more than a beginner's book with inferior photography. Anyone who has cared for koi for more than a few weeks will very little that is not available in dozens of other beginners books. That this might be a book useful for even the serious amateur is laughable. It was a waste of my money and anyone else's foolish enough to purchase it.

I love reading this book, for the tons of photos of different strains of koi. It also has a surprising amount of information on designing and building koi ponds, pond plants, anatomy/physiology, history, breeding, etc. But it does lack detailed information on some topics such as diseases and water chemistry. Statements such as "koi thrive between a pH of 6.5 and 8.0" are a good start, but a bit simplistic for the serious koi keeper.

...from any of this author's books...Ms. Barrie was just the publisher's secretary...the publisher is Herb Axelrod and under cross-examination during litigation against him Ms. Barrie said whenever Axelrod assigned her to do a book she just went to the library for references and then spent a week writing each one...Axelrod ultimately was sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax evasion and Ms. Barrie is now working as a dental hygienist...Axelrod carries some weight among fish fans but I'd be cautious about taking advice from any of Ms. Barrie's books.

This book does not appear to be good for beginners or professionals. It does have details on constructing ponds, but it is seriously lacking in the `care and feeding' of koi. This area is covered conversationally and although the important topics are mentioned, it does not provide details. So it is not a practical beginner's guild. Nor does it provide technical details such as chemistry or anatomy that you might expect in a professional's guide.

I liked the photography. However, if you are looking for a book on pond building or koi photos, there are better books than this one on either subject.

Compiled by Koi expert Anmaire Barrie, The Professional's Book Of Koi is a superbly presented full-color guide to the art of raising colorful Japanese carp. Over 150 photographs and drawings illustrate an informative and seminal volume that is as practical as it is fascinating. Individual chapters address proper aeration and filtration of Koi ponds, steps to ensure proper nutrition and health, koi breeding and exhibitions, and much more. The Professional's Book Of Koi is a truly first-class reference for anyone with an interest in learning about and raising koi.

I was excited by the title of this book because as a koi enthusiast since I was a little boy, I know how hard it can be to get something beyond the introductory level text on these beautiful fish.

When I got this, book, I was disappointed since, as soon as I opened it, I recognized both pictures and the information. I turned to my bookshelf to see if I could find this book already there, but with a little digging I realized I didn't have this book but much of it is RECYCLED MATERIALS from "Koi and Garden Pools: A Complete Introduction" by Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod (Jan 1, 1987) and "Koi of the World by Dr. Axelrod" (Jun 1973) (both from TFH Publications). Some of the text is almost word for word, and Ms. Barrie liberally used photographs from both of these texts. I was extremely saddened to see that TFH Publications would even print such a similar text.

This is definitely not a book for professionals, not by any leap of the imagination, and the information is no more contemporary than the aforementioned books by Dr. Axelrod (those books are both very nice, though, and Dr. Axelrod is THE authority on koi in my opinion). If you already own those books, don't make the mistake that I made by purchasing this one. However, if you are looking for an introduction (a quite uninformative one, however), this book might suit your needs.

I am totally thrilled with this book! I wouldn't trade it
for "all" of the Koi books that I have seen in the pet stores.
Both the information and the photos are "top notch"!
This book has high quality "thick" pages with loads of color and
is in an "easy" and "fun to read format".
Just think, for the price of two Koi magazines,
you can have this great "Hardbound" book.
I'm sure you will both "treasure" and "enjoy" it!