Fred Hanna’s New Book for Pipe Smokers a Must Have

The Perfect Smoke – Gourmet Pipe Smoking for Relaxation and Reflection, By Fred J. Hanna

Kevin Godbee

It’s not often that a new book targeted to pipe smokers and collectors gets published. We are after all, a pretty small niche market. So when a new book does come out, it almost feels like there should be a celebration. In this case, I think a celebration of Fred Hanna’s latest labor of love is warranted … and you should buy the book too. I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m planning on getting an autographed copy when I see Fred at The Chicagoland Int’l Pipe & Tobacciana Show on May 5 & 6. I already know the book is going to be great. Fred is a genius when it comes to pipes and tobaccos. He has a PhD in psychology, and was awarded the "Doctor of Pipes" designation at the 2010 Chicago show. He has been in the hobby for countless years, is known for his love of straight grain pipes, and has his own tobacco blend produced by McClelland, called Wilderness.

Fred has spoken publicly and has been published innumerous times on the subjects of pipes, tobaccos, and in his professional field of psychology. He has many extremely fascinating insights that tie together psychology, physiology, health, and relaxation with pipes and tobacco. The way Dr. Hanna expresses his knowledge, information and wisdom is just purely captivating. The book is a combination of past works, and new writings, and is the perfect opportunity to get inside the mind of one of the brightest people in the hobby.

Below are some of the pipes featured in the book, although they are in black & white in the book.

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In an unprecedented manner, there are two forewards—one by Gregory L. Pease, and the other by Tad Gage. Both are well-known tobacco blenders, pipe collectors, and columnists / writers. Dr. Hanna tells us; "The book consists of 17 or so completely new essays on pipes and tobaccos on a wide range of topics. It also includes another 17 or so revised and updated essays from previous publications, dealing with original and still popular topics such as pipe smoking and problem solving, air-pocket packing, pipe mud, tin baking, brand vs. briar (first published 11 years ago and still a hot topic), old vs. new tobaccos, mysteries of the break-in process and many more."

"The book also contains around 70 or so photos of pipes and vintage rare tobacco tins. They are in black and white as [color was cost-prohibitive]. There are 2 forewords in the book, generously written by Gregory Pease and Tad Gage. I know 2 forewords is rather unique but I could not decide on which of them should do it (as they are both such good friends) so I asked them both. It turned out pretty cool, as both of the forewords are quite different. It is being published by the NASPC Press which allows me the privilege of having the book edited by Bill Unger, who is a professional editor and a PhD in literature (in the book, he included some comments from the editor as well). This is the 2nd book published by the NASPC Press."

The price of the book is $25 for U.S., $30 for Canada, and $35 for overseas. To order online, just send a Pay Pal payment and note to: bill@naspc.org. You can also use the Perfect Smoke Flyer & Order Form – PDF. NOTE: The book will be available in early May, but you can pre-order.

Here is the book cover, front and back –

Here is a preview of the Table of Contents –

THE PERFECT SMOKE:
GOURMET PIPE SMOKING FOR RELAXATION AND REFLECTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Some Thoughts from the Editor
Foreword by Gregory Pease
Foreword by Tad Gage

One of the World’s Most Underrated Pleasures: An Introduction to the Perfect Smoke

BOOK CHAPTERS

CHAPTER ONE: PIPE SMOKING
Seven Essential Pipe Skills: Plus Suggestions for the Perfect Smoke
The Benefits of Nicotine: Drug of the Devil or Gift of the Gods?
Tasting Pipe Tobacco: The Sublime and the Ambiguous
Pipe Tobacco Rating Form
Mysteries of the Break-In Process: The Roasting Effect
A New Pipe’s First Bowl: Avoiding Premature Conclusions
Notes from the Tobacco Bakery
The Air-Pocket Packing Method

CHAPTER TWO: PIPE TOBACCOS
Adventures in Tobacco Blending: From the Sublime to the Sacrilegious
Legends Tobacco Blend
Wilderness Pipe Tobacco: A Blend or a Discovery?
Desert for Latakia Lovers: Introducing the Aromatic Latakia Bomb
Marvelous Marcovitch: A Tale of Perseverance Paying Off
Tobaccos of Yore, Tobaccos of Today: A Conversation Between Tobacco Enthusiasts

CHAPTER THREE: PIPES
Choosing the Great Briar Pipe: Factors to Consider
The Magic Pipe and the Quest for the Perfect Smoke
The Myth of Brand and Maker in Pipe Smoking and Tasting
It’s Still the Briar, Not the Brand: The Ambient-Air Effect, a Castello Rumor, and a Few Quotes
Brand Myth Epilogue: Pipe Tasting and Collecting and the Problem of Subjectivity
Charatan Pipes: Some Notes on Collecting, the Dunhill DR, the Lane Stamp, and the Great Charatan Shapes
More with Moretti
The Best Sandblasted Pipes Are Being Made by Americans
The Oom Paul’s Background
Pipe Mud: A Solution to the Problem of the High Draft Hole, Burn-Out Spots, and Other Pipe-Bowl Problems

CHAPTER FOUR: PHILOSOPHICAL MUSINGS
My Philosophy of Pipe Collecting: Talking Pipes with Rich Esserman
Pipe Smoking and Problem Solving: How the Pipe Stimulates Thought and Contemplation
The Question of Style: The Artisan, the Artist, and the Master Pipe Maker
What is Meant by Smoking Quality: Engineering Versus Taste
The Grand Community of Pipe Collectors: Pursuing the Pleasures of Pipe and Smoke

CHAPTER FIVE: WHIMSICAL EXCURSIONS
The Hidden Benefits of the Expensive Pipe Tamper
The Amazing Tinsky Cloudburst^™ Pipe
Test Your Pipe-Collecting Knowledge

Fred H. Biographical Sketch

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Once again, the price of the book is $25 for U.S., $30 for Canada, and $35 for overseas. To order online, just send a Pay Pal payment and note to: bill@naspc.org. You can also use the Perfect Smoke Flyer & Order Form – PDF. NOTE: The book will be available in early May, but you can pre-order.

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Kevin Godbee

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