From Publishers Weekly
As the war on smoking gathers steam, the cigar is staging a comeback. An obstreperous symbol of manly taste, urbanity and swanky sangfroid, cigar smoking is a practice that can nevertheless prove intimidating to a novice who doesn't know how to recognize or make proper use of a good cigar. In this useful handbook, Jeffers, a freelance writer, and Gordon, a painter, explain how to judge a cigar, whether it's a hand-rolled $30 Havana or a cigarillo; how the tobacco is cultivated and how the best cigars are constructed and stored; the cigar in history and literature; and famous cigar mavens, like Zino Davidoff, who allegedly invented the first humidor, and Mark Twain, who famously claimed to have given up smoking cigars a thousand times. The resurgence of cigar-smoking, the authors contend, stems in part from a taste for traditional luxuries among wealthy baby boomers?clearly the audience for this book. Included are extensive lists of cigar clubs, bars and accounts of charity events called Big Smokes, as well as price lists for humidors, cutters and lighters and ratings of more than 100 international cigars (not seen by PW). Although little is made of the politics and health of the practice, cigar enthusiasts and dilettantes will find here a valuable crash course in the varied brands and accoutrements of the modern tobacco shop. Photos not seen by PW. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
Here's a guidebook for the new generation of affluent stogie enthusiasts. A vile habit to many, a delight to a happy few, cigars are increasingly alight. Misogynist or, lately, simply antisocial, smokers placidly ignore the fulmination of the cigar police for the inexplicable pleasure of wreathing themselves and any innocent bystanders in a stinky haze. Writer Jeffers (Gentleman Gerald, 1995, etc.) and artist Gordon offer acolyte puffers a cigar manual a notch or two above the usual. Along with a history of the habit and a description of the cultivation and manufacture of the thing, the authors provide a guide to all the arcana and etiquette, personages and purveyors, terminology, doggerel, and epigrams of cigar smoking. (One apt epigram they omit: ``Tobacco is the opiate of the gentleman, the religion of the rich,'' said Cabrera Infante in his matchless Holy Smoke). Particular homage is paid to the great promoter Zino Davidoff--which seems altogether appropriate; parts of the text are reminiscent of Davidoff's The Connoisseur's Book of the Cigar. It's all easy and good-natured. There are no complaints about the insane inflation of cigar prices spurred by the new Baby Boomer demand. No stand is taken against the barbaric habit of leaving the band on a cigar as it is smoked. (But even Davidoff, alas, equivocated on this important point.) The authors may be forgiven for stretching a simile here and there. ``The first time you smoke a cigar,'' they say, ``it is like the first time you have sex.'' They neglect to point out that one of those firsts is more likely to induce nausea than the other. For cigar zealots, old and new, here's another accoutrement to place beside the humidor and the clipper. (illustrations and cigar ratings, not seen) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
The cigar is back! For the millions of aficionados who knew the cigar was never gone, and for those just recently acquainted with this glorious emblem of the good life, here is a celebration of cigars and cigar smoking that will enhance an evening by the fireside with a good cigar. The Good Cigar offers almost everything there is to know about cigar smoking: how cigars are made, the major cigar-producing countries, and the authors' evaluations of the best cigars in quality and value. Also included are fascinating notes on the history of cigar smoking, and the cigar in literature and the arts. An "honor roll" of famous cigar smokers past and present rounds out this marvelous book. (7 x 8, 224 pages, color photos, b&w photos, illustrations, charts) H. Paul Jeffers is a newspaper columnist and radio newsman, as well as the author of numerous mystery novels and other books. He lives and smokes the best cigars he can find in New York City. Kevin Gordon is a professional portrait painter whose work is displayed in prominent art galleries worldwide, as well as a former radio news anchorman. He, too, lives in New York.


From the Publisher
"For cigar zealots old and new, here's another accoutrement to place beside the humidor and the clipper."
"Witty, informative and always lighthearted...sure to delight long-time cigar connoisseurs and new smokers."
"Cigar enthusiasts and dilettantes will find here a valuable crash course on the varied brands and accoutrements of the modern tobacco shop."
"The Good Cigar is the one book that can alleviate cigar anxiety."
"Sure to answer all your customers' questions."

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"The cigar is back!" For the millions of cigar enthusiasts who knew the cigar was never gone, and for those just recently acquainted with this glorious emblem of the good life, here is a celebration of cigars and cigar smoking that will enhance an evening at fireside with a good cigar. The Good Cigar offers almost everything there is to know about cigar smoking: how cigars are made, the major cigar-producing countries, the allure of Cuban cigars, major cigar brands, and the authors' evaluation of the cigars best in quality and value. Also included are fascinating notes on the history of cigar smoking, the cigar in literature and the arts, and the glories of cigar bands and boxes. Practical advice on accoutrements such as humidors and cigar cutters, plus an Honor Roll of famous cigar smokers past and present, round out this marvelous book.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

As the war on smoking gathers steam, the cigar is staging a comeback. An obstreperous symbol of manly taste, urbanity and swanky sangfroid, cigar smoking is a practice that can nevertheless prove intimidating to a novice who doesn't know how to recognize or make proper use of a good cigar. In this useful handbook, Jeffers, a freelance writer, and Gordon, a painter, explain how to judge a cigar, whether it's a hand-rolled $30 Havana or a cigarillo; how the tobacco is cultivated and how the best cigars are constructed and stored; the cigar in history and literature; and famous cigar mavens, like Zino Davidoff, who allegedly invented the first humidor, and Mark Twain, who famously claimed to have given up smoking cigars a thousand times. The resurgence of cigar-smoking, the authors contend, stems in part from a taste for traditional luxuries among wealthy baby boomersclearly the audience for this book. Included are extensive lists of cigar clubs, bars and accounts of charity events called Big Smokes, as well as price lists for humidors, cutters and lighters and ratings of more than 100 international cigars (not seen by PW). Although little is made of the politics and health of the practice, cigar enthusiasts and dilettantes will find here a valuable crash course in the varied brands and accoutrements of the modern tobacco shop. Photos not seen by PW. (Oct.)

Kirkus Reviews

Here's a guidebook for the new generation of affluent stogie enthusiasts.

A vile habit to many, a delight to a happy few, cigars are increasingly alight. Misogynist or, lately, simply antisocial, smokers placidly ignore the fulmination of the cigar police for the inexplicable pleasure of wreathing themselves and any innocent bystanders in a stinky haze. Writer Jeffers (Gentleman Gerald, 1995, etc.) and artist Gordon offer acolyte puffers a cigar manual a notch or two above the usual. Along with a history of the habit and a description of the cultivation and manufacture of the thing, the authors provide a guide to all the arcana and etiquette, personages and purveyors, terminology, doggerel, and epigrams of cigar smoking. (One apt epigram they omit: "Tobacco is the opiate of the gentleman, the religion of the rich," said Cabrera Infante in his matchless Holy Smoke). Particular homage is paid to the great promoter Zino Davidoff—which seems altogether appropriate; parts of the text are reminiscent of Davidoff's The Connoisseur's Book of the Cigar. It's all easy and good-natured. There are no complaints about the insane inflation of cigar prices spurred by the new Baby Boomer demand. No stand is taken against the barbaric habit of leaving the band on a cigar as it is smoked. (But even Davidoff, alas, equivocated on this important point.) The authors may be forgiven for stretching a simile here and there. "The first time you smoke a cigar," they say, "it is like the first time you have sex." They neglect to point out that one of those firsts is more likely to induce nausea than the other.

For cigar zealots, old and new, here's another accoutrement to place beside the humidor and the clipper.