Customer Reviews

The ultimate pipe book

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"To paraphrase that venerable corncob connoisseur..." So begins the Foreword to Richard Hacker's book. And out of due reverence, I picked up my corncob pipe, packed it with my favorite tobacco, and began to indulge myself in a pleasure that I have known for years.

Hacker's dedication of this book to Joan reminds me that the first pipe I ever owned was a Father's Day gift. There was a paw print on the card indicating that our dog, Jacob, had given me the gift. I understood. It would be a couple more years before our oldest daughter was born.

Since then the number of my pipes has expanded and some have been retired. Before I read Richard Hacker's book, I knew that I liked to smoke a pipe. But my interest does not match Hacker's by a long shot. What might one want to know about pipe smoking? The origins? How to pick the right pipe? Pipe accessories? Collectable pipes? Hacker puts it all into his book.

Though I smoke a pipe myself, I have to admit that this book is by the ultimate pipe lover.

This book truly is the ultimate pipe handbook, and I would recommend it to all newbie pipe smokers and some like myself who gave up the pipe years ago and have come back to the pipe in my later years. This book explains a lot of the truths and myths of pipe smoking...what not to do and what you should do and what type of pipes smoke best and coolest with the least bite. It also goes into detail of how to correctly load your pipe and light it, which I never knew as a young man...now I learn!! It has truly helped me learn not only the "correct" way to do things, but the way which in fact stretches your dollars, and makes the enjoyment of pipe smoking much more REAL and satifying! Many of the myths I learned as a college student in my 20s, were dead wrong..and Mr. Hacker explains exactly what they are and why they are not done! It is never ever too late to learn and I thoroughly enjoyed the book, including Mr. Hackers light hearted jokes and amusing stories, which make the book so enjoyable! As Professor Einstein said, never take yourself or others too seriously! I intend to refer to this book often and highly recommend it to all pipe smokers new and old, and is the first book new pipe smokers should not only buy but read thoroughly!

For me a little of Hacker goes a long way. Still, this is a standard work, crammed with interesting information.

This is an excellent work by a man that appreciates good cigars and pipes. Both cigar lovers and pipe lovers will find this book enjoyable and useful. Mr. Hacker is also deliciously politically incorrect, which makes it even better.

You've all seen the movie ads with the voice over that says "If you see just one movie this summer..." Well, that applies here if you are a pipe smoker. If you read just one pipe book, this should be the one. Its probably the best reference on pipes and has been for the past 25+ years. I just ordered my second copy having given away my original to another pipe smoker. This books covers everything from history to brands, tobacco to accessories, types, styles and how to's for the new smoker. A very informative books with tons of pictures. The only negative is the authors overstating his importance in the pipe industry. Ironically, with this book, that actually became true. Excellent work Mr. Hacker!

great book as I always find richard carlton hackers books very informative and a pleasure to read. If your into pipes and tobaccos I would highly advise this book as an addition to your collection

Overall, this is one of the few good books on the subject of pipes and pipe smoking. It's a bit outdated, however, and lacks an index which would be helpful in locating information you are looking for later. We need a newer edition with more current information on the pipe makers and products available now vs the 80's and 90's.

After reading the reviews for both this and Mr. Hacker's 21st Century "update", I purchased both books and was not disappointed. There are some duplications, but they are two different books. The portions that are duplicated between them are worth re-reading anyway. Mr. Hacker does a fantastic job at bringing in just the right amount of detail to keep the book entertaining and moving. As a fairly new pipe smoker, I purchased the book to learn more about the hobby. I found that I didn't want to put it down and appreciated all the information Mr. Hacker had put in the book.

I like this book. I have several books about Pipes as my hobby is pipes.