Pipe Smoking Literature

[bullet08]

All I ever needed was Sherlock Holmes.

 

[spike]

All the pipe books from Rick Carleton Hacker...A lot of knowledge there...

The Hacker books were quite informative and instructional for new pipe smokers. They were amusing to more experienced ones. The guy had some good stories.

 

[Highlandpiper]

To all those seeking suggestions about pipe books or desirous of a list of what's been published as books, I can send you mine. True, I no longer operate Antiquarian Tobacciana, but I can still offer a free service, a database of all the literature about tobacco and pipes, yesterday and today. Contact me at ben70gray@gmail.com. I prefer not to post here. And it's true: Scott Thile (pipedia.org) is hosting all my new articles since P&T was shuttered.

Ben I got your list via email earlier on the year and working through much of it, been a great resource for learning alongside history of our hobby. A massive thank you to the years that have gone into it.

 

[WilliamZ]

To all those seeking suggestions about pipe books or desirous of a list of what's been published as books, I can send you mine. True, I no longer operate Antiquarian Tobacciana, but I can still offer a free service, a database of all the literature about tobacco and pipes, yesterday and today. Contact me at ben70gray@gmail.com. I prefer not to post here. And it's true: Scott Thile (pipedia.org) is hosting all my new articles since P&T was shuttered.


I've read a couple of books about this. To be honest, I didn’t expect that I would like this topic. I'm very passionate about it though. I don’t have much time to read, but when I have it, I happily do it. Tip number one - "In Search of Pipe Dreams" - Rick Newcomb. If you enjoyed Newcomb's first book, this is a great sequel. In it, he continues to share his impressions and knowledge about pipes. I read this book just when I needed math help, I found https://ca.edubirdie.com/math-help for this. I prefer to read something than all these numbers and formulas. Well, the second option is “The Perfect Smoke: Gourmet Pipe Smoking for Relaxation and Reflection” - Fred Hannah. This book offers tips on choosing tobacco and pipes

I sent a letter, but you don't answer?!

 

[InWithBothFeet]

That was 9 months ago, he may not even have the same email anymore.

 

[benrapaport]

Well, it's late 2024, and I have just published another book: The Wide World of Wood Tobacco Pipes. Two Centuries of Craftsmanship and Creativity. It's a softcover book with 366 pages, more than 400 images of pre-briar carved wood pipes from around the world, but mostly Europe, all in full color. I have printed only 125 copies, because of its expense. Anyone interested in more details about the book or the pipes illustrated in it from this era, please contact me: ben70gray@gmail.com

 

[Grangerous]

The Haunted Bookshop

And

My Lady Nicotine

The Project Gutenberg eBook of My Lady Nicotine, by J. M. Barrie

 

[Joe H]

Since this thread is resurfaced again, I was in our local used bookstore today and stumbled across a book called “Tobacco, A Cultural History of How an Exotic Plant Seduced Civilization,” by Iain Gately. I’m only a few pages into it, plus I skimmed through it. There’s a lot in there that's new to me, and it seems to be written a in a decidedly non-historian style. This thread should be a sticky someplace.

 

[sablebrush52]

All the pipe books from Rick Carleton Hacker...A lot of knowledge there...

A lot of it wrong, unfortunately. But as an introduction it's not bad, just as long as you move on to later stuff.

 

[benrapaport]

I sent a letter, but you don't answer?!

I just found this post (July 12, 2025), so here's my reply. You sent a letter? Really? How and where did you obtain my address? I list only my email address on this site. But, if you did send me a letter, I never received it.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I found Mark Irwin’s ‘The X Pipe’ very enjoyable. If you’re looking for raw information on pipe smoking you might look elsewhere, but this book is all about pipe smoking and is entertaining and gave me even more appreciation for the craft/lifestyle/hobby.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Apart from the great recommendations which have already been stated above, I'd suggest Tobacco, by Iain Gately. It's comprehensive, beginning with what's known of tobacco in prehistory, then covering developments all the way up to the 21st century.

This is an excellent book!

 

[chrono]

Good afternoon everyone, I've just finished Rick Newcombe's 'In search of pipe dreams' and found it to be a great read for both information and entertainment. Now that I've wetted my beak in pipe literature looking for recommendations for more reading non-fiction material around our great hobby. Thanks in advance.

Excellent book. His follow up is equally good. If you can find them, I recommend the second edition of Confessions of a Pipeman by Gary Schrier, and The Perfect Smoke by Fred Hanna.

 

[orlandofurioso]

Leaves From a Tobaccoman's Log by Raymond L. Schnitzer; based on interviews with Herman G. Lane.

The GBD St. Claude story by J.W. Cole.

The Pipe Smoker's Ephemerus. Found a neat copy in Riga, of all places.