Customer Reviews

No Smoking

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First off, I am not a smoker. I have smoked cigarettes before, and enjoy the occasional cigar, but don't consider myself a smoker. However I was intrigued when I saw this book in Barnes and Noble this afternoon (I thought the box was very clever) and ended up sitting down and reading pretty much the entire book.

You don't have to be a smoker to appreciate the effort put into this collection of art, including old advertisements, photos, paintings, and quotes from an array of influential people from the past two centuries. This is not a glorification of smoking; neither is it an indictment. Rather, it asks the reader to forget for awhile their beliefs about smoking and realize what a large part smoking played in American culture as well as European culture.

Yes, smoking can kill you. But to immeadiatly dismiss this book as a nostalgic collection for the fiendish smoker is juvenile, and frankly, disrespectful; like it or not, tobacco has played an enormous part in this country's history. This book does a very good job of taking the reader beyond their beliefs to see a whole world of art, life, and culture that revolved around smoking.

The pictures are terrific, and they demonstrate irrefutably that our cultural identity was established by people who smoked like it was their last day alive. What was/is smoking considered cool by some people? Who knows. But all P.C. nonsense aside, this is a fascinating book.

I love the box it comes in!! So much fun. This is a great table book, it seems to call everyone's attention. Images are amazing and very crisp. But then again, of course, its TASCHEN.

I am not smoker. I like the way that smoke in the air...

It is a good way to memory the smoke! :)

Have you even bothered to READ the book, Betty??? The only drivel here is the "nanny-state" prohibitionism you're shoveling. In fact, he's not even an addict--HE QUIT YEARS AGO. I suppose you and your ilk just can't allow things like the truth to get in the way of your opinions. How typical.

A silly recounting of smoker's affectations and cravings in a wistful tone devoid of any honest appraisal of risk or corporate malefaction. Just say no!