Product Description

After two years spent in Cuba researching the production of the Havana, Del Todesco has pulled together a remarkable testament to this legendary status symbol of cigars. 76 illustrations, 67 in color. Cigar catalog with 295 photos.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #494110 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 228 pages

From Booklist
Originally published in France, The Havana Cigar provides a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at Cuba's best-known export. Soon after Columbus arrived in the New World, tobacco became Cuba's crop of choice. Tobacco was so lucrative, the Spanish Crown imposed a monopoly on it in 1717. Havana's first cigar factory opened in 1799, and another 400 follow within two decades because of demand in Europe, where the cigar was regarded as a sign of success. Del Todesco details the extremely involved processes of tobacco growing and treatment, plus the meticulous hand assembly of cigars. A catalog of Havana cigars and their characteristics caps the book. Patrick Janet's remarkable photos, especially those taken inside the cigar factories, are a testament to those people whose lives are devoted to cigars and cigar making. This ultimate read for the stogie aficionado will have U.S. smokers wishing for an end to our Cuban embargo. Brian McCombie

Review
Best cigar-book find. . . . Not only is the photography sumptuous but you get a catalogue raisonne in the back of the book showing over 60 Havana cigars in life-size view with measurements and evaluations. -- THE magazine, 1/98

Del Todesco's informative and engaging text is beautifully illustrated by Patrick Jantet's rich photographs [to] reveal the beauty of the land, the hands and faces of the craftsmen, the women behind every new Havana, and of course, the Havana cigars themselves! -- The Midwest Book Review Newsletter, 9/97

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Customer Reviews

Excellent historical reference
I found this book at Amazon while searching for the second printing of "An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars" by Min Ron Nee, that I understand is soon to be released for sale within the United States.

Mr. del Todesco's book, though now nearly ten years old, remains a valuable addition to the library of anyone who has an interest in Cuban cigars. The first 130 or so pages contain a detailed history of Cuba's cigar-making as well as a seed-to-cigar description of the creation of Cuban cigars. Most of these pages consist of excellent photographs of Cuba and of the farmers, torcedors and others whose skill and knowledge contribute to the manufacture of, arguably, the best cigars on earth. The last half of the book consists of sepia photgraphs and brief descriptions and tasting notes of the brands (marcas) and sizes (vitolas) of Cuban cigars that were in commercial production in 1996. Comparing these notes to more recent reviews of examples of later productions of these cigars is fascinating.

I'm glad that I happened to have stumbled onto the existence of this beautiful volume.

Unquestionably the finest book available on Cuban cigars
With the plethora of books currently available on cigars in general and on Habanos in particular, this is (still) the one item no cigar aficionado dare be without.

Great history with medium depth on the cigar review
I really appreciated this book for the photography and the explanation of the manufacturing process. Del Todesco does a great job of walking the reader through the myriad processes of creating a puro. The only thing about this book that left me a little disappointed was the review of cigars in the back. It seems a little difficult to review a cigar in one sentence, especially cigars that are as complex as a Montecristo #2 or a Hoyo de Monterrey...but time and again, he sums up an otherwise world famous cigar as "suitable for a beginner" or "mild, not much to recommend about this cigar". It just struck me as odd to have a compilation as deep as what is presented in this book and then give the cigars an extremely indifferent and passing glance en masse. The first 130 pages were interesting no matter what level of aficianado you are...the encyclopedia could use a good second edition enhancement.