Cigars (2 Book Set) [Hardcover]

Gérard père et fils (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2002

Fads come and go but a great "guy gift" is a joy to have on hand at holidays and Fathers Day. Not only a fan of a good smoke, author Vahe Gerard is an cigar expert, a professional cigar buyer who samples thousands of brands from all over the world (including Cuba) for his business of supplying prestigious clients throughout the world. The Gerard family owns the "Tiffany's" of tobacconists, Gerard Pere et Fils, Geneva, Switzerland. Cigars is two books in one package: Book One concentrates on the history of the cigar starting from tobacco cultivation to the handcraft of cigar rolling and includes other details of cigar culture (like how to detect a counterfeit Cuban). The second book contains detailed tasting notes on Gerard's personal selection of the best 88 cigars in the world each photographed in color especially for this publication at actual size. It also contains a list of specialist stores and cigar clubs n the US and Canada.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vahe Gerard is well known to cigar lovers the world over through his boutique Gerard et Fils in Geneva, an absolute reference for the finest in cigars.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Flammarion; 1st english language edition (May 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2080107216
• ISBN-13: 978-2080107213
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 1.4 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #514,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Cigar Review Book, September 23, 2005

By 

Guy Blaque - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cigars (2 Book Set) (Hardcover)

DevlynITEC's review is misleading. This set of books does provide some good general discussion of cigars (especially in the second of the two books, which provides a good deal of information about how Cuban cigars are made). What makes it worth getting this set, however, is the other book's detailed reviews of the leading Havana cigar marques' (Punch, Partagas, Cohiba, Montecristo, Bolivar, etc.) models within size categories (piramide, double corona/prominente, julieta2/churchill, etc.). Devlyn is correct that these books do focus almost exclusively on Cuban cigars. But there are many others works available that deal with non-Cuban smokes. Overall, this set is well worth the price.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for the Cuban aficionado., April 10, 2004

By 

Roger "Wolf lover" (NH United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cigars (2 Book Set) (Hardcover)

This is a book written by someone who knows more about Cuban cigars and making an attractive package, then books.
This is a pair of books packaged in a single hardcover binder, tied shut with a brown ribbon. The package makes a good coffee table display peice. It would be a shame to pack it away where it couldn't be seen.

The writing, however, reads like a series of articles rather than a well planned discussion of cigars. Very poorly written. A tremendous bias towards Cuban cigars is also present. Imagine, if you will, a book about automobiles... in which the only recommendations are that you buy Roll Royce. Cubans are the un-paralleled pinnacle of the cigar smoker's world, having smoked them on a trip to Canada I can certainly attest. However, to reduce the world of cigars to nearly one nation, as this book does, is limiting.

Buy this book if you want to LOOK well educated about cigars... or if you want to convince yourself that only a Cuban will do.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primarily for Habanos Lovers, January 23, 2004

By 

Reuven Zasler (Karmiel, Galilee Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cigars (2 Book Set) (Hardcover)

Anyone vaguely familiar with the Gerards are well aware of their expertise, dedication and love for the Habano, all of which is reflected in this beautiful edition which is actually a package containing two books.
Similar to their other literary venture, "Havana Cigars," both books are well written and are enhanced by excellent photographs.
One of the books deals primarily with general background information which, although should already be standard knowledge for the enthusiast, is well presented. The other focuses on ratings and tasting notes for some of the great Habanos; these notes being highly personal albeit quite interesting and informative.
This edition is a great addition to any Habanos connoisseur's library.