I'm enjoying an Ashton Cabinet right now as I write this review in the predawn hours of Christmas Day 2000. I can't say enough about this book. I spent north of $1500 buying cigars and related stuff before I read this book, much of which could have been better spent had I read it first.

Richard, beyond being the consumate cigar afficianado, is a likeable guy, and has a great sense of humor. For instance, when discussing how to smoke a cigar and the ash that forms at the end, he refers to this as "leaving the Mother Ship". What a funny guy!

The best parts: 1) How to light a cigar (stop offending others by doing it right, 2) The comprehensive list of brands in the back, which offers not only great info but a nice shopping list upon your next trip to the tobacconist.

This is a guy I would love to enjoy a cigar and a fine port with, discussing his many cigar adventures. Buy this book!

This is an outstanding guide to cigars. It is humorous, emphasizes consideration for others, but also stands up against the PC "nannyism" infecting much of the USA. Bravo for a well-done job.

We all have plenty of work related reference matierials, but few of us can say that we have great reference matierials for our leisure actities. I have been an cigar smoker for 7 years and an avid smoker for the last three. I have purchased many books to elevate my knowledge of the subject. The other books are nice, but I could have saved considerable time and money if I had purchased "The Ultimate Cigar Book" first. This book takes you from the very first cigar smoked in public to the most recent develpments in the world of cigars. Hacker covers the processes of cigar production and the places that they are made. The Author essentially fills the middle section with tips and sage advice in an easily readable style reminiscent of the "Idiots Guide to..." Books. By my last comment, I don't mean to say that Hacker's approach is simplistic or lacking in any way. The end of the book has an index of cigar brands which covers the spectrum from Absolute to Zino, and gives great information on the Cuban brands as well. If you are a person who loves a great cigar, ( or would like information to help make your selections more successful) "The Ultimate Cigar Book" is a must read!

If there is one book that will link people interested in fishes along the Atlantic coast of the US or the Gulf of Mexico... this is it. If you SCUBA dive, fish, keep saltwater aquariums or are an amature or professional naturalist or marine biologist you should have this book.
The Field guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes is an excellent treatise on the diversity of fishes in this area. The multitude of species are discussed in a logical manner with valuable information presented for each. The artwork is superb, with the each fish shown next to similar fish and critical points to identification highlighted. You should own three copies, one for your home, one for your office and one for your boat.

This book is a perfect resource for fishermen, scientists, environmentalists and anyone who would like to learn more about fish and how to identify them. The book has beautiful color and black & white illustrations of thousands of fish. The illustrations can be used to quickly identify fish species "in the field". In addition to field identification keys, the book also details the geographical range, habitat, standard sizes, and a variety of other information regarding every species of fish that can be found from the Florida to Maine, deep seas to coastal estuaries. This book is an excellent resource and provides very interesting information regarding both common and rare species of fish. Highly recommended reading!

This is an excellent work by a man that appreciates good cigars and pipes. Both cigar lovers and pipe lovers will find this book enjoyable and useful. Mr. Hacker is also deliciously politically incorrect, which makes it even better.

J. R. Parten was a different type of Texas oilman and this well researched and documented study of his life is a fitting tribute to a man who gave much to civil liberties. Parten had to grow into being a champion of liberties, and this excellent biography of Parten political involvement tells the story in detail. What is missing is the rest of Parten's life the reader learns little of his business activities and less of his personal life. What kind of business manger was Parten? After reading the book I don't know. His family life and personal relationships are skimmed over. This book presents a different story on the founding of the Great Northern Oil company than J. Howard Marshall told in his autobiography. The author interviewed Marshall, but discounted his point of view. I would also like to know how Parten managed his relationship with Fred C. Koch, one of the founders of the John Birch Society when they were both on the board of directors for Great Northern.

One of the problems of writing a biography is growing to close to the subject I fear this happened in this book. Yet, Parten deserves to have his story told the author does an excellent job of that; I just wanted more of the story.

RARE SMOKE The Ultimate Guide To Pipe Collecting sounds like a reference book for pipe collecting. I have reference books on other subjects for collectors. Compared to these other books, I have the following comments on RARE SMOKE. First, this is a reference book that DOES NOT HAVE AN INDEX. The photographs are of low quality. There are photos that are so blurred that one cannot see the detail that they were included to illustrate. The content is very limited. Many manufacturers and models are not included. And dating and pricing most of the limited number of pipes that are included is not possible.

If you are interested in Pipe collecting you should procure a copy of Richard Carleton Hacker's Rare Smoke. It is a wealth of information about numerous collectable brands and varieties of pipes. In light of the fact that there are so few books on this subject I am grateful to Mr. Hacker for his work.

I bought this book, and within 6 hours had to read it cover to cover. Do not venture into estate-pipe collecting without first informing yourself with books like these. I now own ALL of Hackers' books, and while not perfect, they are pretty close to it. They are all interestingly written, and educational in almost every way. There is simply no better book out there on pipe collecting. Accurate pipe dating guide for most collectible brands of pipe. As a side note, this book is a collectible in itself, and was limited to 2500 copies produced total. Hard to find, and increasing in value!

Gives a personal reveiw of major brands of tobacco that is something to use for reference. It is very similar to his other books with some added information. It would be a good starter for someone who wants to start smoking.

Typical Hacker book here. Lots of useful info as long as you can sift through his very high opinion of himself. Makes good reading, but don't hesitate skipping the parts where he talks about how important he is to the industry...