Cigars: The Art of Cigars

Rating:
Summary: Primarily for Habanos Lovers
Review: Anyone vaguely familiar with the Gerards are well aware of their expertise, dedication and love for the Habano, all of which is reflected in this beautiful edition which is actually a package containing two books.
Similar to their other literary venture, "Havana Cigars," both books are well written and are enhanced by excellent photographs.
One of the books deals primarily with general background information which, although should already be standard knowledge for the enthusiast, is well presented. The other focuses on ratings and tasting notes for some of the great Habanos; these notes being highly personal albeit quite interesting and informative.
This edition is a great addition to any Habanos connoisseur's library.

Rating:
Summary: Good for the Cuban aficionado.
Review: This is a book written by someone who knows more about Cuban cigars and making an attractive package, then books.
This is a pair of books packaged in a single hardcover binder, tied shut with a brown ribbon. The package makes a good coffee table display peice. It would be a shame to pack it away where it couldn't be seen.

The writing, however, reads like a series of articles rather than a well planned discussion of cigars. Very poorly written. A tremendous bias towards Cuban cigars is also present. Imagine, if you will, a book about automobiles... in which the only recommendations are that you buy Roll Royce. Cubans are the un-paralleled pinnacle of the cigar smoker's world, having smoked them on a trip to Canada I can certainly attest. However, to reduce the world of cigars to nearly one nation, as this book does, is limiting.

Buy this book if you want to LOOK well educated about cigars... or if you want to convince yourself that only a Cuban will do.