This is a reference book of the pipes that were created in the last millenniums. From the first makeshift pipes to the modern briar pipes. This book tells also about the rituals of smoking and the herbs that were put into the pipe.
THIS IS NOT a book that a pipe beginner tells which pipe shape is the best to make your first pipe experiences or how to break in a new pipe and even IT IS NOT a book that gives you a list of the pipe manufacturers and brands around the world.
If you want to learn how to smoke a pipe you should chose another book but when you are interested in the history of pipes or a pipe collector this is the best book you can get.