The Perfect Pipe

by H. Paul Jeffers

This celebration of the gentle art of pipe smoking starts with a history of tobacco and pipes, surveys kinds and types of pipes, how they're made, choosing them, and how to enjoy them fully.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580800653
• ISBN13: 9781580800655
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Burford Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A decent introduction to the gentleman's smoke.

Like most pipe smokers, I have a passion for pipe history, trivia, and tobacciana. Our hobby can become consuming, and this aspect of pipe smoking is evident in Jeffers' "The Perfect Pipe." Trivia and anecdotes abound. Unfortunately, so do recycled facts about pipe making and the inevitable list of famous pipe smokers. All in all, this is a solid introduction to the hobby. But do we really need yet another chapter on how briar pipes are made? Or another witty quote on smoking from Mark Twain? I don't think so. I would have liked more information about various tobaccos (a history of, say, My Mixture 965 or Prince Albert would have been welcome), or perhaps about the tobaccos of choice of these famous smokers. Alas, I get another chapter on how to pack a pipe. For beginning smokers, this book is a fine introduction. For more seasoned and experienced devotees, Richard Carleton Hacker's books on the subject offer more stimulating reading. "A pipe in the hand proves that there has been no mistake--you are undoubtedly a man." -- A.A. Milne. That pretty much sums it up.

A Paean to the Pipe

THE PERFECT PIPE is the perfect pipe book to read while smoking a pipe. Formatted as a kind of mini-coffee table book, this is H. Paul Jeffers contribution to the lore of "The Gentle Art." Jeffers loves pipe lore and shares tales and poems and songs, and all manner of design and marketing information. There are a few historical and informational errors here and there, and the book skimps on pipe smoking techniques, but it is amusingly written and entertaining in a light way. Jeffers does not have the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" approach of Richard Carleton Hacker (whom he quotes frequently). Jeffers' pipesmoking habit is an exercise in pleasure and fun, not the grimly serious side of the equation (though what could be "grimly serious" about the pleasures of the pipe defeats me. However, others will out).See you 'round the fire!

A very well written and thoroughly informative book, but....

This is highly reccomended. It is humorously written and informative. There is much to be learned by the novice pipe smoker and I'll wager that even a few veteran pipesters will find more than a few interesting facts here. The hand drawn illustrations are elegant and beautiful. Only a few pages of high gloss color photography, though. While this is a great book and should be required reading for all pipe smokers, I dare say that I was disappointed with the way that Mr. Jeffers just breezed right through the sections dealing with the mechanics of how to smoke a pipe. I, for one, need a book that lingers on this area of pipe smoking. From proper break ins to proper packing and lighting, I need more knowledge! Otherwise, a great read, though. Perhaps I'll write the book to answer all of my questions.....

A Good Read and a Good Look

I was just getting started with smoking pipes, and I wanted a guide as to what to buy and what to do, and this was really helpful. It's written in an unpretentious style, and the illustrations are clever. It's a very attractive book and I expect that I'll enjoy it for a long time (if I don't die of throat cancer - just kidding!).

Humourous and enchanting journey, a pleasure to read!

This book provides an interesting history and journey of pipe making and smoking since our forebears learned the love of tobacco. Although it never loses focus, the author presents the material in a humourous and easy to read manner. It literally uplifted me to read a chapter each day, enjoying the illustrations as i went. A sad moment when finnished, but now a showpiece I proudly display for others to journey. A must have for any pipesmoker!