Tobacco Collecting

Reviews

This book is an excellent personal perspective on a variety of pipe makers and pipe topics and worth the read for the collector. There are more informative books for those new to the pipe. The biographies provide the most infotainment. Newcombes write in an easy style and the book reads like a pipe travels diary rather than a reference source (which it isn't). The one really annoying factor in the book is how often the author mentions his belief that pipes should be opened up more. He tends to drone on and on about the subject far to often, to the point of distraction from the rest of the material.

While I found this book interesting overall it is probably not the best book for the novice or casual pipe smoker. Too much dedication is made to the high end pipes that few will buy or can afford. There is little mention of the pleasure of smoking a simple though adequate pipe.

I'm sure I'm in the majority; those of us who enjoy smoking a pipe, but could never imagine spending $1000 on one (or more than a few hundred for me). This book mainly discusses those extremely expensive pieces, but in the authors defense, he claims to smoke them, so whatever floats his boat. There is also really good political commentary, discussion on pipe mechanics, and the book is nicely written and easy to read. If you want something nice to read about how the rich people enjoy their pipe tobacco, this is your book. If you resent the uber wealthy contingent of pipe smokers, this book might cause fits of rage for you. I'm a tolerant guy, I enjoyed it.

In Search of Pipe Dreams Great Book! Very interesting reading-all I ever wanted to know about pipes-"How To's & Why.

This is for me definitely one of the best books on pipes ever written. Very informative, yet written in an easy and catching style that really keeps you reading and reading and reading... without stopping. Lots of useful and very interesting information. If only Mr.Newcombe would write a sequel... Highly recomended for all pipe and tobacco lovers and other interested audience... One of my definite favourites among pipe books!

Reviews

I love Mr. Hacker's style. This is an easy and enjoyable read. It is great for the beginner or for the experienced smoker. All of the basics are covered here as well as an informative section on different types of tobaccos. Great stuff!!!!

Richard Carleton Hacker has taken a direct line to writing everything a person needs in taking up pipe smoking. From the history of pipes, to selecting your first purchase and how to enjoy your pipe for years to come. I have also ordered his "Ultimate Pipe Smoking Video" and am awaiting its arrival. You cannot go wrong in purchasing this book.

Richard Carleton Hacker is, in my words, a true and honest teacher and "fellow traveler" in his explanations of all facets of pipes and pipe smoking. He humorously and humbly tells of his learning experiences that led to his vast knowledge of this subject. Mr. Hacker reveals a history, a future, and above all, a presence of pipe smoking that is not only thought provoking, but educational for all. If anything is lacking at all in this book, I would say it is the absence of reviewing any G.L. Pease blends in the tobacco section. However, this is a relatively new tobbaco blending line. Hacker would only be stepping too far, perhaps, on relaying information that he may have not tested fully to give an honest opinion. His tobacco reviews are no more subjective than the rest of ours may be. I favor the "English style"tobaccos, myself. Hacker is probably much less subjective than I would be in writing similar reviews. We all have our choices on what is "better" or "not as". Our author encourages the reader to elaborate on his views. We all have different views on what shape, grade, or brand of pipe we choose. We are given a resource guide that allows us help in choosing what we may be looking for in a pipe or smoking accouterment. And, I sure gained a better insite into improving my skills as a pipe smoker. I believe that Richard Carleton Hacker's "Pipesmoking - A 21st Century Guide" is by far the best that is out there. It's a GEM. I can only look forward to a later addition that may elaborate on his future reviews of the latest trends in pipe smoking.

Gives a personal reveiw of major brands of tobacco that is something to use for reference. It is very similar to his other books with some added information. It would be a good starter for someone who wants to start smoking.

Typical Hacker book here. Lots of useful info as long as you can sift through his very high opinion of himself. Makes good reading, but don't hesitate skipping the parts where he talks about how important he is to the industry...

Reviews

this book was a gift for a long time pipe smoker and he was delighted with it

I red the 2000 edition. The book is somehow shallow. It's easy to read and provides some basic info, but that is too little too late for the average pipe aficionado in the internet era and also, doesn't explain the title. I would appreciate a more in depth view on the pipe makers, more photos of their most celebrated works. Their brand's mission doesn't stand for a philosophy, I would have expected to see more on their design than on their work procedures. Some great pipemakers are not included. A good example is Steven Downie, who's works deserve such a recognition. Anyway, maybe it was too early in the 2000 edition for that, maybe it happens in the later editions. The good point is that I've learnt more about the linkage between different pipemakers and pipe brands around the world, and also I've spoted 2 or 3 names I didn't knew about. Anyway this is a good book, even if it's not very close of being a connoisseur's guide.

I have a number of pipe books and this is by far the best I have read. It has info on how each company prepares the briar as well as how they make their pipes. If I were to have to keep but one pipe book, this is the one I would choose!

I have a number of pipe books and this is by far the best I have read. It has info on how each company prepares the briar as well as how they make their pipes. If I were to have to keep but one pipe book, this is the one I would choose!

This is an informative and beautifully printed and illustrated book. Looking at the beautiful glossy photographs and reading the distinctive text is a delight, particularly when it is accompanied by smoking one of the fine pipes made by the carver you're reading about. However, I did wish that the book were comprehensive enough to fully live up to its subtitle of "A Connoisseur's Guide." I realize that to have included more the talented individuals and companies in Italy (e.g., Ascorti, Caminetto, Viprati, Tombari, Cavicchi,), Denmark (e.g., Former, Karl-Erik ), England (e, g., Charatan, Upshall), Austria (e.g., Matzhold), France (Comoy), Germany (Barbi, Becker, Mummert, Safferling) and elsewhere that are also handcrafting "high end" pipes would have made the book more expensive, but what a treasure it would have been. And given this book's subtitle, why spend precious pages describing Dr. Grabow, a company whose yearly production of machined pipes far exceeds the total output of all the artisans that are included in the book? If a subsequent edition is planned, I hope the author also thinks about consistently making his price ranges even more meaningful to the serious buyer by matching them up with the grading systems used by each carver. Even if this is not done in the text, an appendix just giving the grading systems would be most helpful.