Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars

[Puros Y Vino]

36 minutes ago, planetary said:

The absence of updates for 2 years is concerning, however.

I find it disappointing that MRN is limiting the number of copies to be sold.  I'm sure this decision benefits collectibility (and Nino's many pictures of the custom book cases suggest this is a significant planned factor), but isn't the purpose of an encyclopedia to share information?  Why not sell to any number of buyers?

This seems to be a labour of love for the author vs a profit venture.  From what I understand, the new edition pre-orders are almost full.  FWIW it's more of an artistic endeavour.  For most people with the first book, CCW fills in the gaps.  

[Nrengle]

On June 21, 2016 at 1:11 AM, bugman78629 said:

A Dear Friend of mine just put this book out on Amazon....... He is a very stand-up guy who loves All things Cuba. Help him in the launching of his book. Great pics, articles, PRICE!!!! Thank you in advance, brothers.

 

 

My wife picked this book up for me and I read it in an afternoon. While good it seemed hastily put together in a few areas. One thing I would loved to have seen is instead of smoking the EL's on region specific cigars and putting a review of those in (which all sounded the same by the end), how about smoking some of the normal production instead?  If it's gonna be a handbook it needs to have what the profile of what is currently available not something that was limited release.  Also when it just tells you the current production vitolas with no explanation of the sizes (Robusto, corona, Churchill, etc), that would've been nice especially for people that don't normally smoke.  Either way for the 17 bucks it wasn't bad, but I'm not so sure I can recommend it to friends. 

[bugman78629]

  On June 21, 2016 at 0:11 AM, bugman78629 said:
A Dear Friend of mine just put this book out on Amazon....... He is a very stand-up guy who loves All things Cuba. Help him in the launching of his book. Great pics, articles, PRICE!!!! Thank you in advance, brothers.

 

 

IMG_3832.jpg

My wife picked this book up for me and I read it in an afternoon. While good it seemed hastily put together in a few areas. One thing I would loved to have seen is instead of smoking the EL's on region specific cigars and putting a review of those in (which all sounded the same by the end), how about smoking some of the normal production instead?  If it's gonna be a handbook it needs to have what the profile of what is currently available not something that was limited release.  Also when it just tells you the current production vitolas with no explanation of the sizes (Robusto, corona, Churchill, etc), that would've been nice especially for people that don't normally smoke.  Either way for the 17 bucks it wasn't bad, but I'm not so sure I can recommend it to friends. 

 

It's just to help another BOTL in his new venture, that's all...... Can only order through Amazon, so you can't just "Pick it up" at the moment. For Twenty bucks......Really???  Can't recommend. By that same Logic,  McDonalds is much cheaper and nastier; but I'm willing to bet you still recommend "THAT" to your friends. Oh, most reviews sound the same anywhere you go. It's all subjective material based on that persons taste.

Any who..... not too worried about it, just trying to be supportive for the guy whose trying to make a buck     :0/

[ATGroom]

18 hours ago, Nrengle said:

My wife picked this book up for me and I read it in an afternoon. While good it seemed hastily put together in a few areas. One thing I would loved to have seen is instead of smoking the EL's on region specific cigars and putting a review of those in (which all sounded the same by the end), how about smoking some of the normal production instead?  If it's gonna be a handbook it needs to have what the profile of what is currently available not something that was limited release.  Also when it just tells you the current production vitolas with no explanation of the sizes (Robusto, corona, Churchill, etc), that would've been nice especially for people that don't normally smoke.  Either way for the 17 bucks it wasn't bad, but I'm not so sure I can recommend it to friends. 

I was contacted about contributing to this book last year but didn't end up doing it. I bought a copy on release out of curiosity for how it turned out.

About half the book comes unedited from Matteo Speranza's blog - personal stories about Cuba, reviews and so on. They're a nice enough read and definitely the highlight. The rest is more encyclopaedic content and has been written on spec by someone (a non-smoker, I'm fairly sure). Very trite, introductory stuff. There are a lot of weird mistakes, my personal favourite being the table that lists cigar sizes by Length (the whole number of inches of length), Ring (the fraction part of the length), and gauge (the ring gauge). Open it to more or less any page though and you'll find something odd. Editing and layouts were definitely done on the cheap - most of the photos appear to be taken with a phone, and the same photo will appear cropped in different ways ten times throughout the book.

All that said, it is a lot of book for $18. Might make a good gift for someone you were trying to get interested in cigars. Definitely shouldn't be mentioned in the same thread as the MRN Encyclopaedia though.

(also, if Matteo's deal is anything like what they offered me, his bucks were cash up-front and not related to sales) 

[Nrengle]

9 hours ago, bugman78629 said:

It's just to help another BOTL in his new venture, that's all...... Can only order through Amazon, so you can't just "Pick it up" at the moment. For Twenty bucks......Really???  Can't recommend. By that same Logic,  McDonalds is much cheaper and nastier; but I'm willing to bet you still recommend "THAT" to your friends. Oh, most reviews sound the same anywhere you go. It's all subjective material based on that persons taste.

Any who..... not too worried about it, just trying to be supportive for the guy whose trying to make a buck     :0/

Actually yes with Amazon prime Now we can order a lot of stuff and have it same day, and she always seems to have some kind of coupon for Amazon.  So yes did just happen to pick it up when I mentioned the book (my wife is cool like that). I actually haven't ate McDonalds since watching Supersize Me, so about 3 or 4 years.

That being said good on your friend for getting published but honestly a lot of the threads on this site are as in depth and much more. 

And as stated above me there does seem to be a lot of weird formatting and spelling mistakes. One would assume that a good editor would catch that stuff. 

[bugman78629]

1 hour ago, Nrengle said:

Actually yes with Amazon prime Now we can order a lot of stuff and have it same day, and she always seems to have some kind of coupon for Amazon.  So yes did just happen to pick it up when I mentioned the book (my wife is cool like that). I actually haven't ate McDonalds since watching Supersize Me, so about 3 or 4 years.

That being said good on your friend for getting published but honestly a lot of the threads on this site are as in depth and much more. 

And as stated above me there does seem to be a lot of weird formatting and spelling mistakes. One would assume that a good editor would catch that stuff. 

Oh yeah..... I forgot about the $100 annual fee for A-Prime members to receive your order 2 days earlier than reg. mail, THAT would be something to recommend. Glad you haven't eaten Mc D's since you watched Supersize Me, I guess you haven't smoked Cigars since looking at the "Cancer Tumor Stickers" on the cigar box either?? Thats a great analogy 

That being said..... There are several books out there with the same formatting and spelling mistakes, and I believe that problem is caused by these books having the final editing, and printing in China. So you guys can keep on being "Cool" like that. 

[Nrengle]

I guess there's no appeasing someone when giving an opinion of a book.  I started this thread looking to pick up something else that was way more comprehensive.  I was recommended this book instead so I checked it out.. This book isn't what I'm looking for...  

[Mr. Japan]

What if he comes out with a smaller version ( let's say similar to the last book ) while he is working on his masterpiece?

 

That will fill up all our thirstiness  of info:-)

[Cubatabaco]

On ‎7‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 8:26 AM, Mr. Japan said:

What if he comes out with a smaller version ( let's say similar to the last book ) while he is working on his masterpiece?

 

That will fill up all our thirstiness  of info:-)

That's what I'm hoping will happen. I don't need the volumes in a wooden case, although it would be nice. Just give me an edition I can lay on a table for reference from time to time.

Hi, Gino!

[Matt Holtz]

Does anyone have a copy of this (even remotely) close to NY? I've never got my hands on one and I'd love to read it, even if it's only for a short period. Happy to send the lender a bottle of nice whiskey if so. 

[LizardGizmo]

Does anyone have a copy of this (even remotely) close to NY?

I’m in northern NJ and have a copy! DM me and we’ll make it happen.

[Matt Holtz]

That's incredible, thank you so much! I'll DM you now!