“With apologies to the movie maker Woody Allen, Branko Begović Bego's four volume book could easily have been called “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Ginkgo biloba, But Were Afraid To Ask.” The author has not only scoured the deepest recesses of botanical libraries for obscure historical facts about the Ginkgo tree, but also the far reaches of the internet galaxy for the latest information about its worldwide distribution and medicinal uses. The result is the beautiful book you now hold in your hands (to say nothing of the three more volumes that are promised follow). The book is breathtaking in its scope, covering in great detail the topics of its discovery and naming by eighteenth century European travelers to Asia, its unbelievably long evolutionary history as documented in fossil deposits throughout the world, its ecology and current distribution as a wild plant in China, the anatomy and morphology of its stems, roots, leaves and reproductive cones, and finally the techniques of its propagation and cultivation from seed, grafting and cuttings. And all of this information is beautifully illustrated with photographs of ancient and young specimens growing throughout the world. In a true labor of love, Begović Bego has produced the definitive encyclopedia of Ginkgo biloba.” Prof. Peter Del Tredici, Dr.Sc. (Senior Research Scientist Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Boston - Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, USA) - (2011/03/01)
“It is a curious fact that most of the plants with which we share our world are the product of a dramatic evolutionary diversification that began around 135 million years ago: an explosion of diversity that has resulted in about 350,000 living species. However, we know from paleontology that this hyper-diverse group—the angiosperms or flowering plants—is just one among many lineages of seed plants, and that seed plants that goes much further back in geologic time. So to fully understand the angiosperms we must place them in a broader context of 450 million years of plant life on land, and to do that we must turn to the fossil record and also those four groups of living plants that enable us to understand how other kinds of seed plants live and reproduce. This is the true significance of Ginkgo. The single living species stands distinct; not only from angiosperms but also from conifers, cycads and Gnetales. It has a fossil history stretching back at least 200 million years and its fossil record shows that it was once part of a diverse and important group of plants that declined as flowering plants diversified. Plants very similar to living Ginkgo biloba were one of the survivors of the massive vegetational transformation of 100 million years ago and have come down to us almost unchanged ever since. They survived the massive extinction at the end of the Cretaceous, and the changing climates of the past 65 million years. More recently, though, Ginkgo was assailed again by grinding cold, spreading from the north. The last great ice ages extinguished Ginkgo from most of the Northern Hemisphere. Fortunately, however, Ginkgo managed to survive in southern and southwestern China. From those few safe havens with the help of people, over many centuries, Ginkgo has spread around the world again. It has returned once more to many of the places where it lived millions of years ago. The association of Ginkgo with people is a story of revival and resurgence, and a testament to the power of survival of a singular tree. This book is a celebration of the extraordinary life story of Ginkgo: one of the most remarkable, and most beautiful, of all the world's plants.” Sir Peter Crane, FRS Dean. (Yale School of Forestry & Evironmental Studies, USA) - (2011/02/28)
“The stimulation for further evaluation and research of rare plant species Ginkgo biloba L. and its cultural expansion in Slovakia and Europe, was the book of Branko M. Begović: “Nature's miracle – Ginkgo biloba L. 1771 – All about Ginkgo (or Maidenhair tree)” (Vol 1-4). The monograph on the extent of more than 620 pages (Vol 1-2 has 400 pages) with over 1300 color illustrations, luxury edition, brings many interesting and valuable technical and scientific knowledge about the oldest tree species in the world - Ginkgo biloba L., originated in China. The content of the book covers all the knowledge of the naming/terminology and Ginkgo classification, history of cultivation as fruit woody plants (fruit tree) morphology and evolution of Ginkgo's plants, detailed description, geographical distribution (area), cultivars, and varieties of trees, chemical composition and content of other substances, usable in pharmacology, medicine and Ginkgo in nutrition, planting and propagation of Ginkgo, mythology - religion - art. Extremely valuable source of information for scientific and general public is the chapters References - links. About the Ginkgo biloba L. have been written many works (books, articles) and websites. All works are available in this book in chronological order, and above are available for further research and evaluation of Ginkgo in Europe and worldwide. Our friend and colleague Branko Begović is a rare man, the creator (author) of numerous books and publications and about ornamental plants, especially about the introduced plants, which have important application in the stands in Slovakia, but especially in historic parks, gardens, but mainly in urbanized areas and urban communities, where it better tolerate changed climate and soil conditions. Congratulations and thanks to the author of the monograph “Nature's miracle – Ginkgo biloba L. 1771 – All about Ginkgo (or Maidenhair tree)” (Vol 1-4)" Branko M. Begović Bego, for the unique work to this extent, the complexity of content, scientific and educational level have been in Europe (certainly in the world) and now the author successfully engage the challenge, and with his associates issues such valuable work in the English language. The monograph of Branko M. Begović: “Nature's miracle – Ginkgo biloba L. 1771 – All about ginkgo (or maidenhair tree)” (Vol 1-4), is a comprehensive scientific work, of particular importance for the history of introduction and the possibility of deeper knowledge of plants (tree), which already existed before the world 200 million years, while maintaining the natural conditions only in the territory of China. Gradually it has been introduced nearly worldwide. Thanks to the author of monographs and friends of Ginkgo has been the extension of this tree in detail and evaluated in Croatia. An example of a small European country can by the size of the effort and the efforts of knowledge to enrich the world's knowledge.” Prof. Ing. Pavel Hrubík, Dr.Sc. (Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, Slovakia) - (2010/09/15 & 2011/02/25)
“By reading this book we become aware of how much Ginkgo means to the author and how much it will mean to all readers, or better yet - users manual. This is the result of fruitful cooperation between applied science and practical work by author and represents a personal and professional response to a specific narrow topic. It is not easy to transfer their knowledge to others and there are even fewer practitioners who fail to apply science in real life, help others and improve the world. Branko Begović went just that way- in the direction of the applied sciences, and the lyrics have a special personal quality. Text is pronounced in an understandable and simple way, understandable and applicable, different from the usual strict advice of experts. Content that he offers is a credible, because of the expression and personal experience and gives us the courage to try to apply yourself and showing a knowledge or skill. It also inspires us that we also try to provide some answers in accordance with their experiences and so contribute to the common wealth shared. Practice is a starting point, although the theoretical starting points are always offered in the company. Therefore important literature and links which are studied during the preparation of this edition are listed and are also important. She (the classic form or digital form) is for everyone, curious, students, professionals and patients. It was written with the intention to present the Ginkgo biloba and its path of history and the creation of seeds to the drug. In this process many are included and in the mosaic, and a kind of hierarch author connects them. This is one of the first and unique manual of its kind in the world, and especially this part of Europe. From it we learn about the Ginkgo, about his beauty and impact on human health. Following this guide, we can say that the beautiful ancient Ginkgo biloba in China has settled permanently in Europe and the world. It is primarily used for centuries in medicine to improve circulation and blood flow in the brain, arms and legs, concentration and memory recovery, relief of disorders of cerebral circulation, the appearance of dizziness, noises in the ears, headaches, insomnia, cramps and feeling of coldness in the hands and legs…” Elvira Koić, M.Sc. (General Hospital Virovitica, Head of psychiatry, Virovitica, etc., Croatia) - (2011/01/31)
“These beautiful books I have in the hands expressed authors love by growing types of Ginkgo biloba - especially because this kind in the world has been little known. The author of this edition with the clarity of text and a wealth of beautiful illustrations and charts give us something that will help us to get closer and more familiar with Ginkgo, its cultivation and care in the nurseries, crops and plantations. Ginkgo biloba is an attractive plant and all of us, ordinary lovers of plants we are lucky if you breed a plant that is perhaps a little unusual, or beautiful flowers, unusual or strange-stemmed leaves. Ginkgo is one such plant, especially as its beautiful foliage creates a magnificent atmosphere for eye and soul, and with it still has medicinal properties. People will say that the Ginkgo biloba herb is known from the beginning, if so, and so is, then one should ask, and why it is written so little literature on the method of planting and cultivation in the world. Evidence for this is the book you hold in your hands, written in language which everyone can understand and without excessive theorizing the author has consistently carried out his idea and wrote the manual in the true sense, understandable to anyone who has even a minimal knowledge of botany. The author offers a book that will each producer (farmer), if he decides on the growing of Ginkgo biloba, on a smaller scale, enable a step forward in gaining knowledge necessary for safe and quality production. For ambitious growers this book provides guidance in the next steps toward mass production. It can be said that it is a manual in the true sense of the word and is among the few such volumes. And at the end of this short review, I must say that the purchase and planting of Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is expensive and very demanding job. Therefore, this book will be an excellent manual to provide guidance when someone wants to grow Ginkgo, whether as a Horticultural plants or as a plant for medicinal purposes with this strange, rare and specific plant.” Rade Rakić, M.S. (Croatian Forests of Croatia, Head of botanical nursery, Križevci, Croatia) - (2011/01/08)
“The reviewed book is a complex, comprehensive work devoted to rare tree Ginkgo biloba L. The contents include all assessed properties, the text is written in high-quality technical terminology, which is also documented high level of expertise of the author works. Part of the text is a unique picture documentation, clear tables and charts, maps (almost all of the pictures are the work of the author). Each main chapter contains the clear contents, list of available world literature, including the amount of Internet resources. This part of the work, as well, documents the efforts of many talents of the author of the book and is a valuable source of knowledge for other professionals who wish to pursue this issue. Particular attention is devoted to the publication and versatile medical properties and effects of extracts from leaves and seeds of Ginkgo biloba. Book publication will be an excellent teaching aid for university students, researchers and practitioners because it provides a lot of knowledge about the exceptional value of trees, the history of the discovery, cultivation, propagation and use for health man. For us, in Slovakia is also a stimulus for further research and evaluation cultural extension of Ginkgo biloba L. in Slovakia. Congratulations and thank you author to release this unique book works.” Assoc. Prof. Ing. Katarína Ražná, Ph.D. (Department of genetics and plant breeding, Faculty of agriculture and food resources, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, Slovakia) - (2011/02/25) _ “Ginkgo is both a gift of the world to China, and a gift of China to the world.” Peter Crane: “Ginkgo: The Silver Apricot - A Life through Time”
I have a predestined relationship with the living fossil Ginkgo. Not only are we both native to China, but also I have devoted a considerable part of my academic career to the study of the geological history of this esteemed tree. I used to take it reasonably that Ginkgo belongs to China, because there are the oldest reliable fossil record dating back to about 170 Ma ago and also the 'missing link' in the evolution course of Ginkgo from their ancestors, needless to say the existence of natural populations and numerous old trees of thousand years old. When entering more deeply into the Ginkgo research, I became more and more aware of my narrower world view. There have been so many people from different countries and areas where even cultivated Ginkgo trees are rare, interested in and fond of Ginkgo, because it is so important and indispensible to people all over the world. It has been widely planted and cultivated for scientific studies, garden decorating and city greening, as well as medicine and daily life usages, and deeply integrated into human ethic, history, religions, culture, art and literature. To meet the increasing needs of people for multiple purposes, Mr. B. M. Begovic Bego of Croatia spent many years to compile the four-volume comprehensive manual about all aspects of Ginkgo with great enthusiasm, which is extraordinary rich in data and references, including numerous relevant web sites. It will certainly be of great help to people who wanted to know more about Ginkgo and to learn it from different sides, especially in this part of the world. It will also be very useful to cultivation and propagation of ginkgo trees for medicinal and other purposes. Ginkgo which flourished widely on the earth in the geological ages and was once on the verge of extinction has been now rejuvenated, and it will bring benefit to people all over the world. Ginkgo should belong to the whole mankind.” Zhiyan Zhou, Research Professor, Member of CAS - Academician (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China) - (2011/02/25)
_Prof. Peter Del Tredici, Dr.Sc. (USA)
_Sir Peter Crane, FRS Dean. (USA - GB)
_Prof. Ing. Pavel Hrubík, Dr.Sc. (Slovakia)
_Elvira Koić, M.Sc. (Croatia)
_Rade Rakić, M.S. (Croatia)
_Assoc. Prof. Ing. Katarína Ražná, Ph.D. (Slovakia)
_Zhiyan Zhou, Research Professor, Member of CAS - Academician. (China)