The ultimate pipe book

by Richard Carleton Hacker

At last, after 400 years, here is an up-to-date, complete and factual book for today's pipe smoker. Whether you are a new pipe smoker just getting started or an experienced smoker with hundreds of pipes in your collection, this book is for you. In a writing style that is both entertaining and informative, the author - a knowledgeable and respected professional who is well-known among pipemakers and tobacconists throughout the world - shares his wit and wisdom with the reader to give a total view of pipes and pipe smoking. Every chapter contains a rich, full mixture of personal anecdotes and valuable information. Starting off with a history of pipe smoking, this all-encompassing book describes how pipes are made, tells us how to select, smoke and care for our pipes, discusses women pipe smokers and pipe collecting, includes a chapter on famous pipe smokers in fact and fiction and ends with an international glossary of pipe makers, clubs, suppliers and periodicals. Over 250 pages with more than 100 attractive illustrations, this book is destined to become a pipe smoker's classic.

Genres: Nonfiction

305 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This dude really loves pipes. Had the second edition for awhile and just got around to reading it. I can't imagine obsessing over something to this level, but I'm glad he did! Great resource. Good sense of humor.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is easy to see why this is considered a classic tome on the subject of tobacco pipes. Hacker's enthusiasm and humor permeate every page, while at the same time encompassing a wide breadth of subjects. A bit dated with the black and white photos and time period styles, but the material is still highly relevant today. An excellent book for both the novice and the experienced connoisseur.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best over all in-depth pipe book, alas it is out of print.

[Eliot Boden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated, especially towards the end about collectible pipes and current (now past) manufacturers. Still an overall interesting read.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 1985 and loved it. Very informative and spurred my pipe collecting desire. If you don't smoke a pipe while reading it, you're missing the point.

[Ravanagh Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light reading makes a change, and Hacker’s opinion on aspects of the pipe-smoking world/procedure were worth hearing, though I do differ with him about many of them.

[Andy Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great great great overview on the pipe smoking hobby. I found my copy in an old used bookstore in Inverness Scotland, so it is the British publication. Hacker goes through great efforts to include the history of pipe smoking and tobacco as well as an in depth look at the history of great pipe making houses. My only criticism is that it is highly dated, but that could be supplemented with a short time on the internet researching modern carvers and tobbaconists.

If you are looking for one book to describe this hobby, I highly recommend giving this one a read.