From cover to cover, this lavish work on the succulent genus Monsonia shows the appreciation of the plants by the authors. Each species is explored with such loving detail in images, paintings and text that the reader receives a knowledge base on these iconic Southern African plants that has not been previously attempted nor equaled.

The acknowledged contributors to the book are people from all over the world who share a deep appreciation for the Bushman Candles. In particular the artists and illustrators, whose works grace the pages of the book, are recognized in a section “Bushman Candle Art” which details the artists' love for the plants.

There is an additional section which deals with the culture of the genus and the nature of the habitat in which they are found.

The authors have made no effort to revise or otherwise redistribute the taxa of the genus, using exiting literature and the authors' own extensive knowledge to reinforce the current treatment.

The work is exquisite in detail. The images presented are large and of excellent quality. The illustrations are from the hands of the late Ellaphie Ward-Hilhorst whose heirs gave the rights to the publishers for the book; Bowen Boshier, whose wonderful landscapes re-create the habitat and Gerhard Marx whose beautiful water colors are nearly photographic in their treatment. Photographic images have been contributed by many, but the main body of work is by Connall Oosterbroek.

The book's publisher chose to print a limited run of 1,000 copies, and there are no plans to re-print. Those who were lucky enough to acquire one are assured of owning a valuable collector's item.