In Search of Pipe Dreams

By: Rick Newcombe

Narrated by: Rick Newcombe

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Stories of pipe smoking's greatest craftspeople intertwine with advice and commentary in these essays on the art of pipe smoking. While exploring pipe craftsmanship worldwide, this audiobook combines tales of the author's visits to Europe's most prestigious pipe makers with a look at pipe smoking's history and the hobby's most famous practitioners, including Albert Einstein, Norman Rockwell, and Mark Twain.

Interviews with Old World craftspeople provide insight into the delicate and personal craft of pipe making, and a treatise on pipe smoking's relaxing benefits intermingles with advice on how to smoke, buy, break in, clean, and use a pipe to cope with the frantic pace of the 21st century.

©2003 Rick Newcombe (P)2013 Rick Newcombe

Captivating

Mr. Newcombe’s passion for collecting high grade artisan pipes offers a panoramic window into the art and life of the artisans themselves, a wonderfully historical romp through bygone days. Fundamental practical advise and mesmerizing philosophical ramblings of all things pipes and tobacco make this a must read for the dedicated pipe smoker and enthusiast.

Excellent reading; incredible info.

Where does In Search of Pipe Dreams rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This AND Still Searching For Pipe Dreams are the best audio books that I have purchased. You MUST purchase the Audio editions as well as the hard copy.

What other book might you compare In Search of Pipe Dreams to and why?

Still Searching for Pipe Dreams... Same style, the normal continuum.

Have you listened to any of Rick Newcombe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

They are both excellent and both are a "Must Buy"

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The dedication and passion that the author puts into these works, run throughout.

Any additional comments?

The hard copy books are a constant source for reference while at home; yes, I actually take notes and make cross-references!
The Audio Editions are great while driving, reinforcing the info. learned from the hard copy.
If you truly enjoy pipe smoking and already collect pipes, or intend to, there is no better way to become knowledgable.
These are the "Bibles". Buy Them!!

listen to this book while you smoke your pipe!

I have a deeper and more intimate understanding and appreciation of smoking pipes that I have ever had!

New pipe enthusiast

I enjoyed the enormous amount of information and passion Mr. Newcombe so freely shares. This is a wonderful way to learn about this satisfying hobby.

Old but good!

This book is a little dated and you can get more information from Podcasts nowadays, but this is a classic read on pipe smoking. I highly recommend it.

Loved it!

Wonderful book. I learned a lot. I plan on listening to it again. I’m sure I’ll get even more out of it the second and third time around. Highly recommended.

truly outstanding...

I truly outstanding listen by a man that knows more than I ever would know in a lifetime. great from start to finish and I highly recommend it.

A must Listen

every pipe smoker, whether new or experienced, ought listen to this book in whole. Witten and read with excellence.

The "bonus material" ruined it...

The bonus material ruined the flow of the reading of the material. It would have been much nicer if the reader would have simply read the book without it as well as all the piano music preceding each chapter.

Format Didn't Work for Me

I found most of Rick's commentary and observations to be interesting and informative. In the audio book I wish he kept to just his narration and the several included bonus interviews with pipe makers.
The epilogue by Albert Mendez was utterly insufferable talk about someone trying way too hard to sound intelligent had to skip. Also the "bonus material" chapter introduction interviews by Rick's nephew were a nice idea but also hard to listen to as the interviewer literally knew nothing about pipes. It would be like picking someone in the grocery store line to do the interviews for each chapter and as a result, the book became more of an interview show, which broke up the flow.