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Christian Mortenson of San Rafael at 115 is the oldest man alive. He still smokes cigars. Makes us want to toss out our vitamin pills and run down to the local 7-11 to get a fresh pack of Swisher Sweets. If you don't have our taste for cheap cigars you might want to take a look at these: The Art of Fine Cigars: Gift Edition (hb, 111pp), John-Manuel Andriote, Andrew E. Falk, B. Henry Perez, James Gleason. Shows novices how to savor the cigar experience. The Cigar (hb, 131pp), by Conrad Barnaby III. This is an excellent, short social history of the cigar with over 130 photos. Cigar Aficianado's Buying Guide 1997-1998: Ratings and Prices for More than 1000 Cigars (pb), by Marvin R. Shankin. For Your Own Good: The Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health (hb, 338pp), by Jacob Sullum chronicles the left's battle to erode American Freedoms through a systematic campaign to demonize cigarettes and cigarette smokers. Liberals, the anti-smoking crusaders, would limit the activities of individuals in the name of protecting health. Crusaders justify their demands by saying that the burden of health costs is greater for society because smokers are at higher risk to contract various diseases. The fallacy of this claim is manifest in studies which show that those who live longer actually put a greater strain on the Medicare and Social Security system than persons who die prematurely whether or not the causes are due to smoking. Already liberals are moving to limit other spheres of American life. They would control alcohol consumption, automobile use, and even consumption of fatty foods. This book demolishes anti-smoking arguments and points out a deeper liberal agenda that reveals an arrogance that proclaims, "Do what I tell you...I know better than you what is good for you." 
Cigarettes have their own following - however, mostly outside this country. For a look at what smoking has meant to America: Cigarettes Are Sublime (hb, 210pp), by Richard Klein. This analysis of the history of smoking in our culture endeavors to show how smoking has appealed to so many for so long. Mr. Klein's thesis that smoking is attractive precisely because tobacco is viewed as bad is an obvious one. Yet his method of exposition is original in that he glorifies the seductive qualities of smoke. A cursory reading makes you want to light up a cigarette and enjoy the aroma, the image and the effects of the nicotine. Though it may not be a healthy book to read, any work that has the media so up in arms is worth at least a browse.  |
        
to our List! He called for his pipe and he called for his bowl and he called for his fiddlers, three: In this age when everyone does things the easy way, pipe smoking seems to be on the decline. People would rather smoke cigars or cigarettes, or God-forbid, nothing at all. Learning to smoke a pipe can be a frustrating experience for it truly is an art that must be mastered. The following steps will help the novice overcome the initial obstacles: first, make sure the tobacco is tightly packed into the bowl. There should not be too much of a draw through the tobacco, of course some air must get through. Second, do not presume that you can smoke indefinitely without knocking off some of the ash. Ash on top of the tobacco will smother the smoldering, aromatic plug beneath. Third, take your time. Pipe smoking is meant to be a relaxing experience, re-light the tobacco as required (after a while this will become an uncommon occurrence). Once mastered, you will be blowing smoke rings at the evening news and contemplating how much the haze improves Peter Jennings' crooked smile. |
