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

[Alexander Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable, informative read. Granted, it’s incredibly outdated, but I still found that part intriguing. That’s actually why I have a hard time grading this one—the book was basically everything I expected. If anything, I think I was hoping for a more introspective take on the benefits of pipe smoking, as odd as that might sound.

In any case, I gave the book 4/5, and here are my reasons.

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Pros

So much information

The biggest strength of the book is how it brings together pipe smoking technique, collecting, and history all in one place. In just 320 pages, the author covers how pipes are made, how to choose a good pipe (including the value of briar), smoking technique (including how to avoid tongue bite—which was a big takeaway for me), pipe care and maintenance, and even the culture and history of pipe smoking, including notable figures who were pipe smokers.

It’s honestly impressive how much ground is covered so clearly in such a short space.

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Outdated, but in a good way

I almost listed this as a con, but I actually ended up seeing it as a kind of time capsule. If you’ve read this far, you can probably tell I’m a pipe enthusiast—and yes, I do smoke pipes.

We currently live in a world where pipe smoking feels like either something your grandfather did or a niche hipster habit you might spot at an outdoor café. That’s if it’s even real tobacco. Reading this book brings you back to a time when pipe smoking was common, respected, and widely practiced.

That perspective shift was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.

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Richard Hacker’s dry humor

The author’s wit is very old-school—gentlemanly, slightly theatrical, and perfectly suited to pipe culture. The book reads like a conversation in a tobacco shop rather than an encyclopedia.

There’s also a lot of playful exaggeration. Even simple pipe maintenance is described almost like a ritual. Neglecting your pipe is treated like a minor social offense. A typical Hacker-style idea might sound like:

“A neglected pipe, much like a neglected friendship, soon lets you know its displeasure.”

That tone shows up throughout the book and makes it a much more enjoyable read than a dry technical manual.

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My pipe maker study

One of the most interesting things I did while reading was my own informal study of the pipe makers mentioned in the book.

Using a list of 77 pipe shops referenced in the text, I categorized them into three groups based on current status:

* Independent active workshops: 32
* Brand-continued / absorbed names: 24
* Discontinued / no current production: 21

What this suggests is a hobby that has clearly contracted over time. Many makers either disappeared or were absorbed into larger companies to survive. At the same time, I was surprised how many managed to persist despite the broader decline in tobacco culture and increasing restrictions.

It was also just a fun exercise to run through, especially with some help from AI.

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Cons

Lacking a deeper emotional connection to pipe smoking

The book is informative and easy to read, but it isn’t trying to persuade you or deeply explore the personal side of pipe smoking.

What I personally wanted more of was a stronger reflection on the mental side of the hobby—the slowing down, the ritual, the relaxation, the mindset behind it. Pipe smoking naturally lends itself to that kind of introspection, but the book stays more historical and instructional than reflective.

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Final thoughts

Overall, the book was a pleasure to read. It captures a specific era of pipe culture really well and serves as a great companion piece for anyone already interested in the hobby.

It also pairs perfectly with actually smoking a pipe while reading it—which, in my opinion, is probably the best way to experience it.

⸻

Thanks for reading,
—Alex

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.