The 'stache is back! After decades of being much maligned in Western culture, the mustache is enjoying a cultural renaissance, thanks to the annual phenomenon of Movember (the international campaign in which men grow facial hair during the month of November to raise funds for prostate cancer research; in 2011, 1.8 million men in fourteen countries participated), and the retro/modern mo's sported by the likes of Ryan Gosling, Ashton Kutcher, and James Franco. Shaving companies are offering new-fangled mustache groomers, and even Dr Seuss's mustachioed The Lorax has made a comeback.

One Thousand Mustaches is both a lighthearted cultural history and an earnest style manual: it's the story of the 'stache through the ages and its manifestations in politics, war, movies, music, sports, and art, as well as information on various 'stache styles and how to grow and wear them with pride. The book also includes numerous photos and drawings throughout.

Contemplating a handlebar or considering a Fu Manchu? Find them and more styles here in One Thousand Mustaches: a book for those with mo's, and those who love 'em.

Allan Peterkin is the author of One Thousand Beards and One Thousand Mustaches, and the co-author of The Bearded Gentleman. His other books include The Bald-Headed Hermit and the Artichoke and Outbursts!. His comments on facial hair have appeared in Esquire, Men's Health, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, US, and in the documentary Mansome. He is a doctor and freelance writer in Toronto.

Allan Peterkin's profile page

One Thousand Mustaches paints a fascinating historical picture of our people. It will without question become one of the most important source materials for future analyses of the dynamic mustached lifestyle.
-Dr Aaron Perlut, Chairman, American Mustache Institute

Aaron Perlut

One Thousand Mustaches is the greatest book ever written about mustaches! It will make men, women, children and animals the world over want to grow their own. This book is the first step in a facial hair revolution!
-Morgan Spurlock, filmmaker (Super Size Me; Mansome) and Mustached Know-It-All

Morgan Spurlock

A lighthearted cultural history of the 'stache - and its many incarnations - through the ages.
-The Advocate

The Advocate

As beards sprout everywhere, the mustache has become the new beard for those who want to distinguish themselves from the masses. One Thousand Mustaches is a fun romp through the history and meaning of the 'stache in all its furry forms.
-Phil Olsen, World Beard & Moustache Championships

Phil Olsen

Author/'stache advocate Allan Peterkin has left no lip unturned, meaning an impressive array of flavor savers and mouth brows-plus the styling tips needed to pull off a successful foray into el mundo of handlebars and Fu Mans.
-Manero

Manero

A veritably funny look at mustaches, their bravado, and their irony.
-New York Press

New York Press

As a mustached American son of a mustached American, One Thousand Mustaches made me feel proud of my mustache heritage. Funny and entertaining, this book will educate and enlighten the masses about this oft misunderstood aspect of facial hair. Long live the mustache!
-Brett McKay, The Art of Manliness (artofmaniliness.com)

Brett McKay

This book is a 'stache bible! It's a testament to the power of the mustache.
-Jay Della Valle, director-writer, The Glorius Mustache Challenge

Jay Della Valle