Customer Reviews

Pipesmoking: A 21st Century Guide

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

 

 

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.

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.

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...

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...

Richard Carleton Hacker has taken a direct line to writing everything a person needs in taking up pipe smoking. From the history of pipes, to selecting your first purchase and how to enjoy your pipe for years to come. I have also ordered his "Ultimate Pipe Smoking Video" and am awaiting its arrival. You cannot go wrong in purchasing this book.

I love Mr. Hacker's style. This is an easy and enjoyable read. It is great for the beginner or for the experienced smoker. All of the basics are covered here as well as an informative section on different types of tobaccos. Great stuff!!!!

Let me start off by saying that if you own a copy of the Ultimate Pipe Book by RCH, you don't need this book. It is essentially a word for word copy of it! Imagine my disappointment when reading this only to discover I had read it 20 years ago in the UBP. Only this time, there is a tobacco section with the authors nonsensical rating scale.

That being said, if you don't own the Ultimate Pipe Book, this is worth the read. As other reviewers have stated, there is very good information to be found here, you just have to get past the authors ego and occassional inaccuracies. Mr. Hacker deserves credit for filling a void in the pipe smokers library some 25 years ago but to release this book under a new title is just ridiculous and shameful.

Many other reviews seem to refer to this as the update to Mr. Hacker's original. While there are portions of the original replicated in it, this book contains more information about tobaccos and the internet's influence. In that regard it is a different book. You can't go wrong buying both. The portions that are replicated between the two are worth re-reading anyway. This book was enjoyable to read and I appreciated Mr. Hacker taking the time to put it together.