U.S. News & World Report
by U. S. News & World Report
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Where's The News?
When I initally subscribed to USN&WR, I found it to be a well-written news weekly. However, recently, the publishers/editors changed the format of the magazine. Rather than devoting the magazine to delivering news, they have made nearly every issues consist of a "special report" with news filling out what remains ofthe magazine.

These "special reports" range from ranking America's Best Hospitals to a report on ocean ecosystems. The chance that even the slimmest of majorities of these reports will hold your interest is slim. You'd be better off with a subscription to a traditional newspaper, like the Wall Street Journal.

The best in the U.S., but it can be better
This is the best weekly news magazine in the U.S., but only because the competition is so weak, and it could be so much better. First, it covers mostly headline stories; second, it emphasizes U.S. news and carries only token amounts of world news; third, it presents too many "special reports" and feature articles, at the expense of news reporting. On the plus side, the writing is generally clear, informative, and balanced. The only reason I subscribe to The Economist, rather than to U.S. News & World Report, is because I want to know what's going on in the whole world. If U.S. News can give just half of their attention to the other ninety-five percent of the world, I will switch subscriptions in a heartbeat.

The Best News Weekly, Period.
I received "U.S. News" as a gift subscription from a friend who knows me well. I was initially suspicious of a mainstream weekly news magazine, as most of them seem to be stilted leftist rags bent on exploiting suffering people to sell copies. I couldn't have been more wrong about "U.S. News". It is a treasure of unbiased, even-handed, and authoritative reporting and editorials. I had previously read "Newsweek" and "Time", and found them to be insufferably biased (especially "Time") and written at the level of a sixth grader in the case of "Time" or a ninth grader in the case of "Newsweek". Yes, each of those two occasionally produces informative and important articles, but with no regularity or predictability.

"U.S. News" is not glitzy or exciting to read, but what it lacks in glamour it makes up tenfold in quality, authoritative reporting of truly significant stories. It caters to an educated audience, but it is always careful to be concise, yet factually, logically, and analytically detailed in all content. Neither politically correct, nor offensive, the editorial tone is truly that of a tolerant, fair, and balanced publication, while simultaneously keeping highbrow pretensions in check (which is the biggest fault of "The Economist") and never condescending to the readers.

The editors of "U.S. News" do a fabulous job of honesty. Editor-In-Chief Mortimer Zuckerman frequently closes the magazine with the last page. Always balanced, his commentary is always well reasoned and worth reading even when you disagree with him. (For a perfect example of balance look to his editorial on Clinton's autobiography, "Life in the Rearview Mirror", July 12, 2004.) Michael Barone is another columnist always worth reading. His political and social commentaries are both insightful and thought-provoking. I am looking forward to reading his new book. Finally, my favorite of the routine contributors is John Leo. Leo's column, "On Society" is the best analysis of America with both faults and greatness deftly dealt with in some of the most beautiful prose ever written in an editorial column. I can't tell you how many of Leo's columns I have cut out, saved, and re-read over the years. He is a truly inspired thinker and writer.

Certainly there are faults in any magazine with the breadth and depth of coverage that "U.S. News" has, but all the same, it is the one source of news about current events that I find trustworthy above all others.

Thank you John, Michael, Mort and all the rest who make "U.S. News" the premier news publication in the world today. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7TZ
Sales Rank: 118
Subjects:  1. News & Politics    2. Business News   

The New Yorker
by Conde Nast Publications Inc.
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Founded in 1925, The New Yorker hardly changed for its first 60 years, both in its dry, type-heavy design and in its reputation as a writer's and reader's haven. In 1987 it was on only its second editor when management decided to shake things up. A rocky decade ensued, but The New Yorker is now back at the top of its game under David Remnick's editorship. Each issue offers commentaries and reporting on politics, culture, and events, with a focus that's both national and international; humor and cartoons; fiction and poetry; and reviews of books, movies, theater, music, art, and fashion. Several times a year special issues focus on a theme--music, fashion, business. The writing is mostly first-rate, frequently coming from top literary and journalistic talents. The New Yorker's weekly issues can seem overwhelming--so much good stuff to read, piling up so fast!--but it's as easy to dip in for a small snack as it is to wade in for a substantial meal. --Nicholas H. Allison ... Read more

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good magazine with sensible left of center views
New Yorker is one of the best magazines available in the US. It has a good mixture of articles on current events, culture, fiction, humor. And one shouln't forget those notorious cartoons. The lengths of the articles range from the very long to the very short, and should amply sustain one's weekly need for reading material.
Please be aware that all articles have a coat of liberal paint. But the New Yorker is probably the most sensible left of center media source in this country.

The Magazine to Impress Others that You'll Actually Like
I have been subscribing to the New Yorker for five years now, and it has been a very enlightening experience.The New Yorker does its part in covering big news stories, but it's not really a news magazine.The perspectives are unique (and admittedly lean to the left), and the kind you're not likely to get elsewhere.The authors use the first person because they tend to be part of the stories they're covering.Take Jon Lee Anderson, probably the most credible reporter covering the Middle East today.His "Letters From" various cities involve accounts of his meetings with locals and leaders.

Other segments are more like NPR stories--unique perspectives on largely uncovered topics that aren't time-sensitive.You'll get in-depth looks into developments in medicine, law, architecture, etc., that otherwise wouldn't get on your radar unless you were in that profession.And, the writers incorporate the "larger questions" in stories focused on recent events.Like Malcolm Gladwell's recent account of a playwright who plagiarized material from a former article written by him.He parlayed his personal struggle into a good summary of legal and ethical positions on the use or development of one person's idea by another.

I have grown to look forward to reading the Fiction selection each week.Sometimes I don't like the piece, but I enjoy getting the chance to read writers that I normally wouldn't and those that I normally would.

Additionally, the magazine has added more dedicated issues--most recently the "Food" issue, in addition to standbys like the "Style" and "Fiction" issues.I loved the "Food" issue, especially one writer's account of the search for truly authentic pasta that involved a work night in Mario Batali's kitchen and a trip to Italy.

I enjoy the balance of hard news, balanced interest stories, and arts that the New Yorker provides.I began my subscription to get a different perspective than what I got from local Southern news, and I keep it for the same reasons and many more.

This magazine is extremely left wing
I am a physician and purchased this to have a few magazines in my waiting room.I will not renew my subscription because this magazine has become so left wing.The covers and articles are too contriversial and one sided.I will continue with Smithsonian, Scientific American and People as my waiting room magazines.I was a bit surprised by how extremely left wing this magazine has become. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7T5
Subjects:  1. Literary    2. News & Politics    3. Regional   

Popular Mechanics
by Hearst Magazines
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list price: $42.00 -- our price: $12.00
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With plenty of features on the latest high-tech cars, tools, sports gear, and military developments, Popular Mechanics is the source for discriminating gadget heads. Full-page ads for spark plugs, extrastrong glues, and manly cigarettes fuel the magazine's testosterone engine, and many of the how-to articles are designed to help today's male achieve maximum speed, efficiency, and style in his leisure activities. In-depth articles on the history of the baseball glove, comparison tests of mulching mowers, and a list of the cables you'll need to build a home network join brief news bites covering science, outdoors, and home improvement. With a copy of Popular Mechanics and a fat wallet, you could be the alpha male you've always wanted to be! --Therese Littleton ... Read more

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best magizine ever
This is the best magazine ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gives lots of detail and has awsome articals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too many hand gun ads for me...
I received a subscription for Christmas last year as it seemed like a pretty broad based magazine with lots of good articles on a variety of topics.And that is absolutely true - however, I ultimately cancelled due to the number of advertisements for hand guns. Call me what you will (and yes, I'm from that bastion of liberalism, Massachusetts) but I could not support a periodical that advertises these items. Just my own personal feelings on this matter.

The Jack-of-All-Trades Magazine
Popular Mechanics is a Jack-of-All-Trades Magazine.I have been an avid reader since high school picking up every other issue or so at local newsstands.I only recently finally got smart and picked up a subscription.For the price you can't go wrong.PM is filled with informative articles on everything ranging from new technology, world events, woodworking tips, car care, automotive design, and computers.PM does not delve to deep into any particular subject, rather it gives you a broad view of all of them.

In each issue your likely to find tips on how to change and fix a flat tire on your car, plans on how to build wood furniture, reviews on new cars, and reports on upcoming technology.The articles are always interesting and provide enough information to let you do a little more digging if the subject matter sparks your interest.Jay Leno even writes an automotive section that is always enjoyable to read.

The product reviews are informative and have helped me with numerous purchases ranging from new cars, snow blowers, power tools, dirt bikes and the like.I would recommend this magazine to anyone interested in any of the mentioned subjects but can't afford 40 different subscriptions to cover them all. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7SA
Subjects:  1. Science    2. Technology   

Consumer Reports
by Consumer Reports
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The resolute research team at Consumer Reports has broken, melted, disabled, and jacked-up almost everything that's been offered for sale in the last few decades. If you want to know, for sure, if a product lives up to its claim, Consumer Reports has the answer. In addition to providing unbiased detailed analysis of goods ranging from chainsaws to televisions to washable wool sweaters, the canny staff offers common sense advice. Consider this classic, their take on the efficacy of conditioning shampoo: Shampoo is meant to be rinsed out, any conditioner in a good shampoo will go right down the drain. --Edith Sorenson ... Read more

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No Paid Advertising - Refreshing
This magazine evaluates thousands of products including new and used cars without advertising and without the biases that go hand in hand with accepting advertising. Before one buys a car, TV, computer, fax machine, washing machine, dryer, vacuum cleaner, refrigerator, stereo and many other items one can gain excellent insight into the quality and value of the products by subscribing to Consumer Reports magazine or by looking it up in the library. It is so refreshing to receive information on products without all the usual distortions and lies that one finds in advertising.

RULE 1: CONSIDER THE SOURCE
After decades of occasionally reading Consumer Reports at the public library and on newsstands, and after comparing my own experiences with the CR editorials and recommendations, I am forced to conclude that CR data are typically based on ignorance, laziness, or perhaps something less savory. Goods that are clearly and outstandingly best in class go unreviewed. Goods that have obvious problems with durability are rewarded top marks. I am forced to conclude that CR is essentially a channel for shilling certain manufacturers' goods, but the motives for and mechanics of their activity remain unknown to me.

informative
Consumer Reports is very informative. They test out different products and write up a review about them, the cool thing is they care about quality and not the brand name. I'd suggest this magazine if you frequently buy things and need to have a guide to inform you which product is the best. Sometimes the issues are filled with stuff that might not interest you, but don't give up because each month is different and overall its a very helpful magazine. This is one of those magazines where I keep the issues for a few months to refer back to when I am ready to make a purchase. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7PH
Subjects:  1. Business    2. Finance    3. Personal Finance    4. Retail   

Travel + Leisure
by American Express Publishing Corp.
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list price: $54.00 -- our price: $35.00
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Uninformative Articles, Questionable Subscription Practices
I subscribed to T+L for one year.My wife and I found the magazine to be uninformative and of little value when planning our travels.Most of the magazine seems to be centered around places to go shopping and the photos that accompany the articles are artistic photos, usually of models wearing $1,000 outfits, instead of informative photos of the resorts or hotels.The recommended travel products tend to focus on $1,200 designer duffels which, while perhaps within reach of the target demographic, are unlikely to survive many trips through a major airport.

In addition, my subscription came with an unrequested automatic renewal.I didn't enjoy the magazine and nearly every copy was in my recycle bin within 15 minutes of receiving it.However T+L decided that I would somehow like a renewal although I certainly never requested one.In my book, those are questionable and perhaps unethical business practices.

Dreams of how the "leisure class" vacations, perhaps lives
This reader thoroughly enjoys the photos and articles about 'exotic' vacations in Europe, Asia, the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand] and Central or South America ... one can dream ... and possibly one day live the dream. One learns of vacations in out-of-the-way unique locales. For instance, in the July 2004 issue, there is a feature article on "Puglia' dubbed "the next Tuscany". There one can rent space in a 15th century convent or room at the most modern resort. In either case, one can taste the finest Italian cuisine, fresh food, grown and raised in the region.Another adventure which appeals to this reader is "perfume tours in Provence".

This reader is in love with Mayan ruins, so reading about how Richard Hansen, an U.C.L.A. archeologist, has worked for 25 years to excavate and preserve, El Mirador, one of the largest mayan cities, is of great value. This reader shares his dream to designate the region a national monument and turn it into a living outdoor museum. It would become a top tourist attraction, such as the Tikal National Park (Guatemala's most popular). Another fascinating article featured "Shanghai". Here one learns of where to shop for silk slippers and the beautiufl blue and white porcelain for which it is famous. A person can have designer clothes copied by tailors at huge savings ... The contrast of ancient and modern China is amazing. Going antique shopping would be most satisfying ... Featuring, Ming Tsai, a Chinese chef and owner of "The Blue Ginger" Restaurant in Massachsetts is quite the perfect ending to a wonderful magazine. He is often featured on PBS channels sharing his recipes and techniques for Chinese cooking. This reader enjoys every article and looks forward to each monthly issure. Highest recommendations. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Fuzzy Out of Focus Photography
Travel & Leisure was once the best travel magazine.Now I rate it the worst.Endlessly trendy, hopelessly chic.It's fru-fru.My biggest complaint is the photography.Seems the editors have told their photographers to shoot only over-exposed, overly white fuzzy photos. And there is this irritating penchance for illustrating their articles with full page photos of local inhabitants.DUH! Thum through any issue at the newstand and see what I mean.Try "Conde Nast Traveler" instead. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIP7
Sales Rank: 709
Subjects:  1. Travel   

Architectural Digest
by Conde Nast Publications Inc.
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Architectural Digest, the leading international magazine of interior design, embarks on exotic adventures to homes of celebrities and leaders in entertainment, business, society, and the arts. Discover extraordinary architectural design in Majorca or travel to a baroness's home in the Greek isles with Architectural Digest's topnotch writers and photographers. Or perhaps that 18th-century villa and estate in Tuscany you've been eyeing is finally for sale? Whether you hold a master's degree in interior design or simply love the pictures, you'll enjoy the fascinating and eclectic styles this magazine has to offer. --Alison Gubser ... Read more

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House Pornography
In summary, this magazine portrays houses that you can't possibly ever hope to own in an "airbrushed" presentation that can't possibly match real life; it is "house pornography".It is exciting to read and puts plenty of ideas into your head.

You have to determine whether repeated exposure to this type of media will enhance your life or make you miserable.Hey, if you have a spare million dollars and need someone to tell you what is fashionable or in good taste--this is for you!

People complain about the ads--I complain about the articles.People get in the way.I note that none of the owners of these showpiece homes have children--most are living alternative lifestyles.Actually, the house becomes the product of the relationship instead of children.It is a fascinating cultural phenomenon and this magazine is the leading journal of the movement.

Great magazine!
I love this magazine.Some reviewers have stated that they disliked some of the interiors.That's fine and fun!I show my husband some of the things (he's a graphic designer) and we have a great time laughing at some of the designs.Other times it's absolutely great.The latest issue (Aug. 2004) is one of the best and the theme is Exotic Homes Around The World, and they are all fantastic.

Of course I wish I could afford a lovely home such one of these in the magazine (maybe one day?) but in the meantime I can look at these homes and dream and also get great design ideas.This magazine is wonderful and relaxing to look at and read.

Try 'Architecture' and 'Dwell' Instead
'Architectural Digest' has changed over the years to become fussier and more lifestyle oriented than substantial architecture and design commentary. I still have a subscription, but intend to allow it to lapse when it expires for three primary reasons:

1) The magazine is huge and cumbersome, largely due to the massive quantity of advertisements;
2) The magazine exclusively highlights gazillion dollar homes, that only are a factor for celebrities;
3) Stylistically, the magazine seems stuck in a rut of cluttered end tables and credenzas, overstuffed pillows, and no space on a wall unoccupied by a huge, gold, gilded framed picture from eighteenth century France.

I don't like clutter, and I don't like being ornate to make a house look rich. That's why I no longer think this is a magazine that I really need. For me I will read 'Architecture' for serious architectural commentary, and 'Dwell' for reasonable (and financially attainable) interior design commentary. Thanks, but no thanks. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7OM
Subjects:  1. Home (Houses, Homes)    2.  Interior Decoration   

Automobile
by Primedia Magazines
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Founded by former Car and Driver editor in chief David E. Davis Jr., Automobile doesn't attempt to dodge its kinship to that leading consumer automobile monthly: apart from Davis, who's since stepped aside to pen a regular column and occasional features, the younger magazine showcases features, road tests, essays, and news from a staff noteworthy for being C/D alumni and contributors. Jean (Lindamood) Jennings, one of the first women to carve out notoriety as an automotive journalist, now brings her own brash, high-spirited stamp as editor in chief while wisely letting her pedigreed scribes strut their stuff.Automobile thus proves to be as authoritative and well written as its somewhat better-known progenitor.--Sam Sutherland ... Read more

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Automobile writing uninspiring
Automobile was created by one of a former editor-in-chief of Car and Driver. It's initial premise was to make automotive journalism more gender-neutral, with less emphasis on technical material and more on aesthetics and dynamics. This is evident as the editor-in-chief of Automobile is a woman, Jean Jennings. While I find the writing to be uninspiring, others apparently do. The circulation of Automobile surpasses rivals Car and Driver and Motor Trend. Read it at the newsstands to see if it fits you.

Keeps slipping every month
This magazine is turning into a picture show with very little content.Everything is subjective in the magazine with very little (or none at all) technical data to base their opinions on.There just isn't enough to this magazine.It only takes a few minutes to get through it, since it's basically a picture-book.

Automobile Mag sub
I like Automobile mag.It keeps me up to date on new cars and concepts in contrast to all my reading on import modding magazines.I think that Automobile is similar to any of the other car magazines such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, etc.I dont think it matters which mag u subscribe to.Just pick one.You could go to a bookstore and browse through each magazine to see which one u like the best, and then subscribe to it. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7OS
Subjects:  1. Automotive (Automobiles, Cars, Auto, Autos)