Product Description

The author who reintroduced America to pipesmoking has done it again with his newest book. The 165-page softcover contains over 90 never before-seen color and black & white photographs with chapters on pipemaking, buying, smoking (including a step-by-step guide to lighting up), tobaccos, and a "Tobacco Taster's Menu of Blends," describing over 100 commercially available pipe blends. There is even a Pipesmoker's Sourcebook with publications and organizations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #119011 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-10
• Binding: Paperback
• 168 pages

Review
Richard Carleton Hacker is...one of the most prolific pipe and cigar book writers of the 20th century... -- Smokeshop Magazine

Richard Carleton Hacker, one of the world's most widely recognized authors and authorities on pipes and pipesmoking... -- Piber & Tobak

About the Author
Richard Carleton Hacker is one of the world's foremost authorities on the subjects of pipe smoking and pipe collecting. In addition to Rare Smoke, he is the author of The Ultimate Pipe Book (U.S., British, and German editions), the internationally acclaimed "bible" for pipe aficionados. The author is a member of France's honorary pipe society, the Confrérie des Maîtres-Pipiers de Saint-Claude and the prestigious Académie Internationale de la Pipe. In 1994 he was knighted by the International Tobacco Collegium as Germany's Pipe Knight of the Year.

Customer Reviews

A great source of information for all levels of pipe smokers
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.

Typical Hacker publication
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...

Overall good book to read
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.