The Sensible Cigar Connoisseur [Paperback]

Jeff Camarda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1998

A truly unique, comprehensive guide to the cigar hobby including: secrets of smoking top quality cigars at ridiculously low prices; how to pick a cigar that's right for you; smoking etiquette; cigar toys; storage options; internet resources and much, much more. Hilarious and thoroughly informative, this cigar "bible" will teach you everything you want to know about cigars with a refreshing approach to an old hobby.

Editorial Reviews

Review

At long last, the cigar boom has thrown off a book to really feast your eyes on. Jeff Camardas The Sensible Cigar Connoisseur is an uproariously funny guidebook to every important aspect of the hobby, from knowing what makes for a good cigar, to how to find and buy them at wholesale prices. Unlike any other author in the genre, Camarda covers every important aspect, from secrets of storage, countries and colors, counterfeits, cigar toys, and all resources, from other books, to the internet and cigar radio! Theres even a chapter written specifically for womanso dont peek! Perhaps as important as the quality of the information, the book is extremely funny and entertaining. He even includes a hilarious quiz at the end, which both fixes the knowledge and make the reader laugh uncontrollably. In fact, nearly every page makes you laugh out loud.

If you have any interest in cigars, this book is for you. New smokers will find it an invaluable guide through the smoky territory of handmade, imported cigars. Veterans will find much useful here, and even more to laugh about. And all will learn from Lew Rothmans foreword on the future of the cigar industry. Mr. Rothman is president of J.R. Cigar, the worlds largest seller of premium cigars. -- From the publisher

From the Back Cover

Become Your Own Cigar Expert! Like Cigars? Get ready for a hilarious and thoroughly informative guide to everything you want to know about the hobby...sit back and watch the pages fly!

- Insider's secrets of finding and buying top quality at prices you won't believe.

- Knowing what countries, shapes, colors and brands that are best...for you.

- Smoking etiquette & rituals, plus every conceivable cigar toy and resource.

- Keys to storage, and finding the best humidors that no one else tells you about.

- The truth about Cubans, spotting counterfeits, best beverages, and much more!

"Camarda gets it right on...save the cost of the book on the purchase of your next two cigars...become a cigar-master in your own right, all while laughing your ash off...Take it home and enjoy ...this book will be around for a long, long, time. " - Lew Rothman, President and CEO of JR-CIGAR, world's largest seller of fine cigars

"...sly, witty, divinely-informed, and funny as hell. Recommended without reserve." - Dr. John Perkins

"Fantastic! Shows you everything you need to know - including the "insider" stuff you just can't get in the magazines...made me laugh out loud ...just can't keep enough copies in my shop! Wish I'd had it 20 years ago..." - Sandy Jones-Hinton, owner, Edward's Pipe & Tobacco, San Marco, Jacksonville, Florida

"Smoke like a millionaire for next to nothing. And only your CPA will know..." - Tom Williams, CPA

This book is the ultimate reference to the art of knowing, finding, and completely enjoying fine cigars - at prices you won't believe possible! It covers every aspect of the hobby in a wonderfully easy and entertaining way that will make you smile over and over. You will find it your constant companion, one you will want to refer to every time you shop or smoke...

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 226 pages
• Publisher: Franklin Multimedia Inc; First Edition edition (1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966549570
• ISBN-13: 978-0966549577
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,822,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best cigar book I've ever read, December 27, 1998

By 

Matt (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sensible Cigar Connoisseur (Paperback)

I must have accumulated over a dozen books on cigars over the years... this one stands out far above the rest. Not only does Dr. Camarda really now his stuff, but he presents everything you need to know about buying/smoking/storing cigars in detail and with a great sense of humor. It's a lot of fun to read (and hard to put down), extremely informative, and offers tons of valuable 'inside' information that simply cannot be found in book form anywhere else.

All in all, I highly recommend it. If you only own one book on cigars, "The Sensible Cigar Connoisseur" is the one to have.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY INFORMATIVE, FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING....A Wealth of Knowledge is found on these pages., December 25, 2010

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Sensible Cigar Connoisseur (Paperback)

Right off the top I must admit to the fact that I am not a big time cigar smoker. No, I smoke a pipe and have for year and years and doubt seriously if I am going to change my ways; I really have no desire to do so. But that being said, I do, from time to time, indulge myself because, if done right, under the right circumstances and the right attitude, cigar smoking can be a pleasurable experience.

Now I am certainly not going to go into a discussion of the health risks, social issues and general pros and cons of this subject; leaving that for others, but I will state that it is important to remember that "moderation" is a key word here. Of course you can say that in reference to just about anything, but never-the-less, it is good advice.

I smoke cigars in the company of other cigar smokers, when I am alone, or at the very least, when I am with my dogs or on the golf course. My wife absolutely detests the smell of cigar smoke as to my children and grand children and to be frank, many of my friends. This brings up another key word..."respect;" that is the respect for the comfort of others.

Anyway....

This is a delightful book and study of cigars and cigar smoking. Just about every aspect of smoking these unique things is covered in this volume and for the
uninitiated; I must inform you that there are many of these little ins and outs. I am a strong believer that if you are going to do something, then you should know everything you can possible know of the subject to reap the full benefit of our endeavor. This work will most certainly inform and most certainly send you in the right direction.

Chapters in this work cover:

The Joys of Smoke
Cigars and Health
The Basics of the Beast
A Cigar's Finer Points...The Beauty of the Beast
Cigar Countries
Where to Find Them...How to Buy Them Right
Smoking Mechanics and Other Rituals, Cigar Etiquette, and "The First Batch of Toys."
Cigar Repairs You Can Make in Your Bathroom
Perfect Storage...Humidors, etc.
Cigar Related Periodicals and Books
Cigars on the Web
A Discussion of various Brands
Women and Cigar Smoking
Spirits and Beverages to go with Cigars

Cigar smoking is an art. Those that have never done it properly have lost much of the enjoyment of this art. Like any art, knowledge and practice is important. Again, this is one of the best books on the subject I have read...and there have been many. This work delves into the finer points of this ancient custom and is an excellent read for both the beginner and the more experienced....I learned much from it...and I can assure you, I have been around the block a few times.

It should be noted, as another reviewer has pointed out here, that much of the information contained in this book can indeed be found on the web...using an extensive google search. This is okay for those who like such methods of research. I personally like people to do that sort of thing for me, as this author has done with this work. It saved me much time and effort and I have it all right here in my lap as I type this review...that is nice!

Pease realize that I am not in anyway endorsing smoking in any fashion. If you have never smoked, have stopped smoking, are offended by smoking, are anti smoking in any way, think it is a nasty habit, etc., then I am all for you. You probably should skip reading this one! But if you do smoke cigars, even occasionally as I do, then you will find this work helpful and a delight to read. The author is good, he is funny and he is extremely informative.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth it, February 11, 2005

By 

J. M. Anderson "lonestarmatt" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sensible Cigar Connoisseur (Paperback)

There's nothing contained in this book that couldn't be found with a web search using google. Most cigar websites have the same information readily available for surfers. A complete waste of 226 pages of good paper.