5 comments about The Ultimate Cigar Book.

1. The title speaks for itself, it is indeed the ultimate cigar
   book. Written for the newcomer as well as the long time cigar
   aficionado. Perhaps Mr. Carleton Hacker will bless us with
   an exclusive book on Cubanos and elaborate on their rich history,
   current markets, counterfiting, proper storage and enjoyment.
   Go ahead and buy this one first, you won't regret it!!



2. This work has been highly overrated, since it is far from being the "ultimate" cigar book.
   Firstly, it is no book for an experienced cigar smoker: it covers all of the basics soley for the novice, and only for the American novice, at that ("...our own Connecticut leaf..."). Admittedly, Mr. Hacker does this quite competently, although he either is unaware of myriads of cigar lovers outside the U.S., or has chosen to ignore them.
   Secondly, this book would be more aptly entitled "The Ultimate Ego Trip," for the text is riddled with rather annoying examples of the author's unabashed conceit regarding his supposed expertise and his influence on - get this - the Cugan cigar industry!
   Worst of all, however, is Mr. Hacker's claim - and in this he aligns himself with his American cigar commentator collegues - that non-Cuban smokes have now equaled, or even surpassed, the quality of Habanos. This absurd pretense - which is unknown amongst any of the scores of non-American cigar veterans I am familiar with - has its roots in the insidious Cuba-bashing campaign initiated by "Cigar Aficionado" magazine, which sought to promote sales of non-Cuban cigars by grossly exaggerating their positive attributes while debasing the quality of Habanos. It is most unfortunate that novice (American) smokers are liable to be influenced by this illusion in their quest for a premium cigar.
   My advice, then, is that if you feel compelled to purchase this book, do attempt to separate fact from (Mr. Hacker's) fiction.



3. The first half of the book is a really well-written beginners introduction into the world of cigars, their history, making, smoking, storing and other vital knowledge.
   The author's an expert, and he' renowned, no doubt about it. That said, I'd appreciated that much more if he would have missed just a single opportunity to ply the reader with that fact.
   The second half of the book therefore is rather a description of the self-absorbed world of Richard Carleton Hacker - who I had never heard of before, but now I know he shared a cigar with Arnold Schwarzenegger - and he couldn't help including a photo of that.
   That aside: A truly enjoyable read for everybody who is into cigars.



4. God like!
   
   Best book all around, lot's of information, piles and mountain of it, no pro or against cigar propaganda, a work of art, and a must read for all cigar fans.



5. I love this book very much. A lot of goog content about cigar was presented but in plain text and black/white picture.
   
   It can be number one cigar book only if it improves the package such as more color picture, connoiseur's corner.

1 comments about Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Havana Cigars.

1. This is a book about Cuban cigars, past and present, and only about them. In reality, it is a book for the more serious smoker as the information is rather specialised. The book tells you which company made what cigars and whether they exist today or not. And of present cigars, it tells you which factory produces them and in what form of packing. This is THE defintive guide to date and I have read no other but be warned, it's about Cuban leaf and the book is not casual reading, it is more of a reference.

1 comments about The Shipcarvers' Art: Figureheads and Cigar-Store Indians in Nineteenth-Century America.

1. I collect figures. I have read the books that are used for reference. I have seen the exhibit that was chaperoned by Mr. Sessions (Sandwich,MA., NYC,NY & Baltimore,MD). I am a student of the art he describes! I was impressed by his scholarship, his easy east coast art scene style of writing, his photography/graphics, his hommage to Ms. Sanburn, Mr. Pendergast & Mr. Fried (I knew him). This is not a picture atlas. This is not a coffee table book. I would have liked to seen/read more especially regarding the social relevance of color race &c.(the folly of the time theirs & ours) but this is another matter! I RECOMMEND this book to all who treasure american sculpture. The vulgar artist is finally getting his place(WELL DONE Mr Sessions! What is next?).

5 comments about The Good Cigar.

1. This is a useful and well-written cigar guide. It is getting a bit dated, but it is still very good for all cigar lovers.



2. The Good Cigar is to your brain what your tobacconist's walk-in humidor is to your nose. It's a cornucopia of history, anecdotes, and general cigar lore that makes you want to relax and stay a while.

   Jeffers and Gordon start their history with the original tobacco lovers, the indigenous people of the Americas. Then they discuss the introduction and development of tobacco in Europe and the New World. Jeffers and Gordon acquaint us with many of the people who have influenced our image of cigars (Mark Twain, Groucho Marx, Ernest Hemingway, etc.) and give quotation buffs a nice supply of material. From the "Wooden Indian" to cigar boxes and bands, they explore the history and artistry of cigar paraphernalia.

   The authors include a cigar index complete with their personal ratings of each cigar. The book shows its age here, as some of the cigars are no longer sold. This doesn't necessarily detract from the book. You just might run into somebody who's had a box aging for several years and is willing to trade a few sticks. In a situation like this, an older index of cigars would be helpful.

   Jeffers and Gordon also cover humidors, cutters, and lighters. They even include a resource guide. These sections might lead the cigar neophyte to believe that cigar smoking is a costly pursuit, but this doesn't have to be the case. Less expensive and perfectly functional accessories are readily available; but as Winston Churchill warned, "Shoddiness can be found easily, in quantity" (I got that from this book). Choose carefully. There are several Internet message boards devoted to cigars that would be more helpful than this book in finding accessories that fit your taste and budget.




3. I just picked this book up recently (2007) and though the book is getting on in age, it really holds up today. The first half of the book discussed history of tobacco, cigars, and smoke shops. The authors can really tell a good story and their historylessons were highly entertaining.



4. A fine book on cigars. I completely enjoyed this book and refer to it often.



5. Nice book, enjoyable but not very telling. Nice enough to pass along to a friend, which I did.

No comments about Churchill's Cigar.

1 comments about The Golden Age of Cigarette Lighters (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This is the leading book on cigarette lighter collecting. There are nearly 1000 lighters illustrated in color. The variety is incredible. From Zippo to Dunhill and so many more. There is even a value guide to give you an idea of value. This is the authors third book on lighters and they really went all out to make this the best book ever.

1 comments about World of Cigars.

1. Finally a book which allows the true cigar aficionados and aspiriring aficionados to join together in the pure enjoyment of those deliciously carcinogenic agents known as cigars. By combining profiles of noted cigar aficionados with a breathtaking tour through the tobacco fields and factories of the leading cigar-manufacturing countries, it bestows upon the reader a sense of guilt that they now live in America where they cannot get those beloved "Cubans" .This book is all you need to learn the art of determining whether the jacket you were wearing while smoking smells of a powerhouse of cocoa bean and earthy flavors, or a robusto, floral, cedary, sweet, savory Romeo y Julieta. Descriptions which a normal person would believe to very similar (is "a powerhouse of cocoa bean flavor" the same as "a powerful flavor of cocoa", well yes, but that is besides the point) become so very essential to the true aficionado like myself. The world's ultimate cigar magazine now offers the ultimate cigar book.

2 comments about Les Cigares Du Pharaon = Cigars of the Pharaoh (Tintin).

1. I love SNOW! he makes the day and the Captain and the twin's are outrageous! Love it all!



2. On a journey to Egypt Tintin meets absentminded Egyptologist Professor Siclone. The professor is in search of mystery. The only clue is a symbol drawn on a piece of parchment. Once in Egypt Tintin and Snowy follow the professor into an underground passageway marked by the symbol and find empty sarcophaguses marked with their names. They escape and find themselves pursued by mysterious criminals. All the while the mysterious symbol keeps turning up on stone walls, painted on trees, and on cigar labels...
   
   This comic is fun because of the exotic landscapes. Tintin travels through Egypt and India which are drawn with exotic flare. Whenever he thinks he has entered the traditional untouched east, western civilization intrudes: He rescues a lady from bandits only to discover that he has just spoiled a scene from an adventure movie. He is captured by Bedouins who recognize him as a celebrity reporter and are happy to have him as a guest. He approaches two arabs to ask directions and finds that they are in fact the Thompson and Thomson team who have donned robes to blend in. The east meets west theme, inherent even in the mysterious cigars marked with an ancient Egyptian symbol, kept me guessing through the book.
   
   The Cigars of the Pharoah maintains the quality of other books in the series. There are jokes for children and for adults, so it is a good purchase for families and public libraries. There are some loose ends which are tied up on part 2 of the story: The Blue Lotus.
   
   If you are reading this to help learn French, Tintin comics are good for reading at a French 2 level. There are a lot of words that aren't basic vocabulary but it is still easy to follow the story because the writing and pictures tend to reinforce each other. This particular comic seems to have more every-day vocabulary than other Tintin books.

No comments about Stop Smoking Subliminal NLP CD Break the nicotine habit! (Mind Design Series for Better Health).

3 comments about Art of the Cigar Label.

1. As a graphic designer this book has served me well on many projects. It is detailed with a large display of labels that are well reproduced for the viewer. The catagories add a variety subjects to the art of labels which is why many of us feel this book is like a bible. It is the most complete book so far on this subject.



2. Any true collector will appreciate Davidson's initial edition, and followup version, "Smoker's Art". For those of us who pore over piles of stuff seaching for a winner, be it cigar labels or anything else, this book is a treasure trove of high quality art.



3. How interesting can old American cigar labels be? Enough to fill up a full color 250 page coffee table book, at least.
   
   The book is more than just a compendium of old labels from deceased brands, but a history lesson, a seminar in the materials and processes used in generating the labels, and a discussion of the various themes explored in the artwork, i.e. patriotism, women, theater, sports and gambling, cowboys & indians, you name it. Finally, there is some very informative stuff on collecting cigar art, searching for historic labels and estimating value. The book is the most complete work on the subject of this type of collectable Americana, and as such is recommended to all interested in the field.