Book Review: “The Cigar Maker” by Mark McGinty

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About one month ago I received an e-mail from Mark Carlos McGinty who asked me to check out his book called “The Cigar Maker”. Sure, I said, and very soon it hit my mailbox. One week later, as I devoured the last pages, I was glad I had accepted the offer.

This book is not exactly about cigars. It won’t teach you how to light, cut or store cigars. There are plenty of cigar books out there who do that. However, the cigars are very present throughout the book, it definitely deserves to have this word in its title.

Instead, “The Cigar Maker” is about one industry, two countries and several families at a crossroads of two centuries. The book realistically describes the living conditions of poor native Cubans under Spanish occupation, of rich Spaniards, of cigar makers in Ybor City, of factory owners… Mark, a descendant of Cuban cigar makers, clearly did thorough research prior to writing it; the story is not only based on historical facts but also tales he heard from his family and this turns “The Cigar Maker” into a very charming read. That’s probably what I like the most about this book – it carries you to Tampa and allows you to watch these people live their lives, full of adventures and struggles. I don’t want to give away the storyline, but rest assured that there’s a lot of action, I was having a hard time putting it down past midnight.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. While writing this review, I realized that it was quite a difficult exercise, after years of cigar reviews. I hope you enjoyed it – and many thanks to Mark for giving me an opportunity to tell you about “The Cigar Maker”. Here is the link to the Amazon page where you can purchase the book and read some more thorough reviews. You can also check the official website.

54 thoughts on “Book Review: “The Cigar Maker” by Mark McGinty

  1. Sounds like a part of cigar history that needed to be told.

  2. Fantastic! Thanks!

  3. Great review Inspector. This is a very interesting concept and I am looking forward to picking it up.

  4. Sounds like a great read

  5. Sounds interesting. Something topical to read while stretched out on a lounger with a drink and cigar.

  6. Anything that we can read, especially with your fav. cigar, is more knowledge for us to interact. I will read this. LONG ASHES
    BOBBY G

  7. Cool book. Maybe I’ll win one.

  8. It’s good to have the story put together this way. Can’t wait to check it out.

  9. Sounds like really interesting reading.

  10. Looks interesting, thanks

  11. Sounds like a great read. Looking forward to it.

  12. Was just in Ybor yesterday. Looking forward to checking out the book.

  13. Looks very interesing. A different side to the cigars we enjoy so much. Thx

  14. Sounds like a great book if I don’t win a copy I might just pick one up from Amazon.

  15. Looks like a good read!

  16. Available on Kindle, too? Sounds like I need to download that. If I don’t win one, that is.

  17. Sounds fantastic. A fresh viewpoint on the industry which we all love is very welcome.

  18. Sounds good. Perfect summer book

  19. Sounds like a good read.

  20. thanks for the contest. this sounds like an interesting read!

  21. Sounds like a great book.

  22. Good review; sounds like a book to get regardless of the result of the draw!

  23. I have heard about this book about two weeks ago,that review was a good one. Thanks for doing the contest.

  24. Sounds like a very interesting, and entertaining read. Hope I win!

  25. Looks like a book to add to my summer reading list

  26. Sounds like a great patio book.

  27. Interesting

  28. This book is available wherever books are sold. If it’s not at your local bookstore they can certainly order it. You can also order from the official site and I will send you a signed and personalized copy!

    -Mark
    http://www.thecigarmaker.net

  29. Thanks for the review. Sounds like a great read.

  30. sounds like an interesting read…

  31. Really look forward to this read. Is this book being carried at most book stores? Or is it a better book to get online…If I don’t win?

  32. Cigar books that are more than just the standard “how-to” are exactly what is needed.

  33. Do you know if it will come out in mp3?

  34. Nice that someone finally tells this kind of story?
    hmmm, what kind of cigar would go with this read?
    😉

  35. Thanks for the review. It sounds like a good read.

  36. I’ll bite. It’s interesting, I read a bit. And if it’s not as polished as some other books, it’s far enough off the beaten path to be worth a detour. I’m hoping I win so I can finish the book.

  37. Nice review and thanks for the amazon link. Living in the Tampa area I’m now on the look out for cigar/Tampa related reading.

  38. I am keeping my fingers crossed on this super sounding book giveaway…
    Many thanks, Cindi

  39. sounds like a great read

  40. Sounds like a good read! I may just pick it up this week.

  41. Excellent. I would love to win a copy, but if I don’t, I will certainly pick up a copy. Good luck to all!

  42. Hello everyone – thank you for the comments, and thank you Denis for a great review. If you are interested in learning more about the book, please visit the official site. You can read more reviews, check out a few excerpts, read the first few chapters and listen to radio spots that I’ve done. Thanks for checking it out!

    http://www.thecigarmaker.net

    -Mark (the author)

  43. Interesting.

  44. Sounds like a good read! I’m in!

  45. So much of the US cigar industry is woven into the fabric of Ybor/Tampa. I’m glad someone took the time to write a book about it! Sounds like a good read.

  46. Review sounds great…….I would LOVE to read this book!!!

  47. “The Cigar Maker” sounds like a good read.

  48. Great tip! Would be nice to read it…

  49. Sounds like a great book.I look foward to getting a copy and sitting down with a fine cigar and reading it.

  50. Sounds like a great read and an important perspective on the history of the cigar industry.

  51. Thanks for the review.

  52. Nice write up, sounds like a good read. Looking forward to reading it.

  53. I have downloaded a sample of the book to my Kindle for me to get a feel for the book. I will check it out tonight.
    Thanks for the tip.

  54. Great to see there are books like this being written. Not sure but I think this will be a first!

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