It`s perhaps a little early to be writing about this yet,but i will tack on a few thoughts later if i see fit..
So far, my impression of this manual is almost one of a developed 'school' text, and science based. Bioessays are noted and considered in themselves, a positive,but they in themselves do not enter into the text. They are,beyond some defining and analytical definitions of what to expect in historical and modern context,not treated as a subject of it`s own,..thankfully.
The book itself is 11 inches length, by 8.5" wide,and in total encompasses 310 pages. The Text is SMALL, so as to compress information. However(one of the very few negatives apparrent to me now), it is around 60% photographs.
In another thread,I questioned whether i would learn anything of Torres and Torres ,in it`s relationship to the Pachnoi grouping. The information was terse,but it was there, adequatly enough. Also I am seeing data on Taquimbalensis that actually rather follows a different path than both what I had suppossed about it ,and what I had heard previously from other sources. But,and rather limiting to this very good instructional,the photos are all in B&W. I would of loved to have seen the dark glossy green of the cloned(as listed in my catalogue) Taquinbalensis,and the curved spine matte green of the 'Mesa Garden' Taquimbalensis example. I know the cost would have been prohibitive,and after all,thats why they do as matter of course, have plant descriptions. One thing becomes very apparent though,is all the variations of a theme,almost no matter what Trich. one is considering. I saw this to my surprise, both w/ Pallernsis and Huanucoensis. Hey, My fault for only having my own to look at. I was amused to see WOH crop up,understanding better now what another member had,and I now ,one example of.
A note on the side,one will recognize some of the Photographs,and cirtaintly some of thos individuals who took them. Perhaps there are others, But I wouldn`t know.
One thing I an noticing,(but perhaps I need to cover the material more),is that I am not getting ranges as I would have preferred,though geographical data is there.
That is all I have to say for now, I have only possessed the book for a day in a half. AlreadyI feel it`s been absurb my not having this Superior text,yet i wish,even more so,there was less photos and more read. I fairness however,the photos themselves continue to illustrate the exemptions to the rule of groupings and variations,if not to understand why...but it does help.
It serves its stated purpose, and is a good read itself, but it raises many questions. It is a good supplement to Keepers online postings and other work, such as ER articles.
There are also some kinks, for example Wade Davis data is included in bridgesii, but the Wade Davis bridgesii clone is clearly peruvianoid.
Color photographs should be in the TN part A, soon to be done I hear. One of my favorite growers also chose to remain anonymous and remains too humble to take credit for contribution to both Trichocereus breeding and some photographs and information they have shared with Trout, and others.
The book is clearly not in the interest of taxonomy, or natural populations, it is based on horticultural specimens and written for the purpose of the identification of horticultural specimens, though it might be of use in field and genetic work.
I have had my copy for about a month and it is showing signs of wear, I wish it was a hardcover.