The New Yorker
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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   

The Atlantic Monthly
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Become much more Conservative lately
We had a subscription from 2001-2004.In the last year of that subscription, the magazine came to focus more and more on politics, and most of the political articles were written from a conservative perspective or assuming a neoconservative world view as background.Letters disagreeing with anything Robert Kaplan wrote were rarely, if ever, printed.(Though I know for a fact they received them!)We dropped our subscription and picked up the New Yorker instead.Conservatives however may want to take a new look at this magazine.The reviews suggesting it is liberal must be based on pre-2003 reading.Occasional issues we have bought since dropping our subscription confirm that the conservative slant is persisting.The quality of the writing is still reasonable however, and it explores issues in depth (albeit from one side).

WISHY-WASHY, WISHFUL & ASHAMED: AMERICAN LIBERALISM...
From reading some of my recent reviews, you would think I am becoming a political guy. I'm not. At least, I am only as far as I feel my relationship with Jesus Christ dictates.

A case in point: The Atlantic Monthly. I used to subscribe to this magazine when I was in late High School-early College. I think my brother got me a gift subscription.

I am a follower of some more "high brow" cultural things (keep in mind that the threshold for for being "high brow" in America is always being lowered, and in fact can be lowered physically by simply driving south), and my brother thought I would enjoy the magazine. I was usually underwhelmed by the depth of articles (or snippets) relating to the arts, music, and theater in The Atlantic. I was also disappointed by the magazine's political slant.

The Atlantic is kind of like the New York Times and CBS in that it tries (tries) to play the "wink-wink, no, of course we're not liberal" game.

A related aside before I move on: As you will see if you read the rest of this review, I line up with neither "the left" or "the right" (the Blue or the Red) in American politics, but when it comes to the press--if you're not going to try to be balanced, I would much prefer you to be blatant about your bias. To use a non-sequitur paraphrase of Lincoln in his abolitionist days: "I would rather move to Russia and take my despotism pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy." At least the misguided right has that going for its press apparatus.

Anyway, The Atlantic is probably the paragon of the inefficient, unfocused, in some senses, self-loathing liberal movement in America. So many of its articles take a half-ass, speculative look at issues NO ONE in main street America cares about.

I am not a great fan of George W. Bush's Right, but the alternative is almost just as sad.

The only redeeming aspect of what this magazine has become (I read a few issues this past election year) is the writing of Robert Kaplan. I don't buy his take on geo-politics, but he is one of the few people on the left who is doing any original thinking in this area at all.

As for my own politics (if you or anyone else cares), I feel both sides have woefully fallen short of the demands of The Kingdom. In some ways I am more Liberal than the Democrats and more Conservative than the Republicans. People come first in God's economy. Only by changing the hearts of individuals can we ever change the world.

It saddens me deeply that here, in the richest, most powerful nation in the history of the world, people on both sides (if a person even cares enough to be on a side) allow themselves to be duped into hating each other rather than living up to our great potential.

This magazine is just one example of where we as a country are going so very, very wrong.

Glaringly and Inappropriately Biased
The A-Monthly iis by far the most obviously biased and unfairly written magazine I have seen that does not claim to be communist.But beyond its completely intolerably inaccurate reporting, there is a malicious bent that seems intent on politically bashing everything that comes its way which is not socialist in nature. There are many examples of the ill-informed and not-so-thought-out liberally biased opinion which is (and will continue to be)subject to change depending on who is currently in office.As a matter of fact, I would venture to say that the editors of A-Monthly probably harbor anti-American sentiments, judging by their magazine.

If you want to get good coverage of world events, with real analysis and hard facts, read the Economist.As an intelligence analyst, I would probably get fired for showing a fraction of the personal, unbased and unreasonable bias which the Atlantic Monthly shows.At least the Economist tastefully bashes conservatives.The Atlantic Monthly makes a mockery of analytical reporting. ... Read more

Asin: B00007987Y
Sales Rank: 102
Subjects:  1. Literary    2. Lifestyle & Cultures (Guidance)    3. Cultural   

Harpers Magazine - Regular Ed
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Literary, brainy, and left-leaning, Harper's Magazine is an American institution (the first issue was dated June 1850). Its clean, type-heavy design shouts "serious readers only": many pages are two columns of text, period, and the illustrations are mostly art (often photographic) and artistic adornments. The reading, though, is what matters. It's substantive and often sublime. Along with lengthy, thoughtful, frequently controversial articles on politics and culture, you'll find essays, short fiction, in-depth reporting, and a few book reviews. Bylines routinely represent leading writers and thinkers of the day. Standing features include the much-copied but rarely equaled "Harper's Index," in which statistics tell stories; "Readings," a section of excerpts ranging in length from a few lines to thousands of words; and "Annotation," in which a real-life document is reproduced and "explained," usually to devastating political or cultural effect. Each issue is a full meal for the mind. --Nicholas H. Allison ... Read more

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Great Educator
Interesting May 05 issue.When I saw the cover I sighed and with a somewhat sinking heart picked it up wondering who "now" had declared war on America.

Oh! why it's only the Christians now.This was a great issue.I had not read one in quite awhile and forgotten how funny and sad they could be.

The Harper's Index page is full of eyebrow lifting information.Readings was great.

The articles on the market economy and the religious right was a jaw dropper.I had to get up and look under the table to find where mine had fallen and rolled.Most everyone knows this information in some depth and degree but . . .these articles were different. Like some other books and articles I have read they are couched with the attitude of,"Wake up, please.Throw some water on your face, look around and Wake Up, hurry before it's too late".Once you get through the large amount of heartbreaking information contained(Please tell me that America did not `sell' cornmeal that we knew was going to starving people etc., etc., etc.) you are deposited at Karbola for an account of the Sunni versus Shia and then on to Katmandu and the monarchy and Maoists.The final article is on Tango dancers and somewhat of a relief.

After reading this you might want to go home and just pull the covers over your head.Don't.Waddle around to another section and fiind a magazine called "What is Enlightenment?"The April/May issue has a equally jaw dropping set of articles on the market economy.It's the perfect follow up to the Harper's.Harper's is a wake up call if you've slept late.WIE is the what can we roll up our sleeves and do about it.The people they interviewed are not Pollyannas.Several are quoted as saying that they really think there may be nothing left to do but totally dismantle the old system but they are willing to put that aside and focus on fixing instead of destroying and trying their hardest to make the new ideas work.

They have some incredible contributers to the articles and to the new system they are trying to impliment.Short articles from Dadi Janki and Joseph P. Milton are included.The article about Tex Gunning - President of Unilever Bestfoods Asia and his new direction for his company is wonderful.These are people who are trying to shift the whole attitude of companies.It's not the current spate of altrustic activity that is geared more toward upping sales with profit as the end result but a real shift to business conducted with the end result as a healthy, sustainable world.The end result would benefit humanity first, the business second and the shareholders third.Novel concept eh?They make you believe that it just may work.They are however very up front about the timeline and how many people have to be shifted - quickly - in order for it to work.

Read them both - it's worth the time and I think that they both have something very important to say.

A Superb, Thoughtful Monthly Magazine!
In the several years since my retirement, I have come to wait by my trusty old rusted metal mailbox around the third or fourth of every month, waiting for my monthly issue of two magazines, the Atlantic Monthly and Harpers. Each in iuts own way is likely the best amalgams of intellectual articles on a variety of subjects one can find in contemporary America, and each features a stable of highly regarded writers and authors. For good reason; from subjects as arcane as the supposed imminent fall of the Soviet union based on demographic and economic analysis in the mid-1980s to the recent synopsis of former spy Robert Baer regarding the evils of dealing with the highly corrupted Saudi regime, the magazine consistently offers an erudite, informative, and provocative look at aspects of contemporary reality one cannot find elsewhere.

Needless to say, I really enjoy reading Harpers, especially under the guidance of editor Lewis lapham, and its articles often lead me on Amazon searches for tomes by the talented authors, which in the case of said author Robert Baer, or perpetually sagacious satirist P.J. O'Rourke, or a whole raft of noteable others. All of them lead to some worthwhile reading experiences indeed. It avoids the trendy, so we are spared the suffering through the latest and greatest mass experiences in favor of intellectual roads less traveled, being grassy and rather wont of wear, makes for better and more satisfying traveling, whether trudging through the snow with my Wintertime Dunham Tyroleans or padding down grassy fields in my summertime Birkenstocks. Just keep on trucking! Enjoy!

Variable
During the 1980s and 90s Harpers decayed badly from a journal of literature and opinion into a collection of short pieces and meaningless charts- sort of a journal for the literary pretentious with a short attention span. During the late 90s and the early part of this century, an effort was made to recreate the old Harpers.

Gone now are the annoying fragments and pointless tables, but the quality of the writing is still variable. At its best, Harpers still trails far behind The Atlantic, and at its worst it's pitifully sophmoric. I'll try it again in a few more years. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7QO
Subjects:  1. Literature    2. General    3. Periodicals    4. Literary    5. News & Politics   

Grays Sporting Journal
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Gray's Sporting Journal is one of the hidden gems of sporting and wildlife magazines. Consider the publication values: photographic essays (on drift boating, for example, or trap shooting in Europe) are part of every issue and are always very well done; the pages are glossy, thick and substantial; there's art (usually a painting) in the back of each issue; you'll often find a poem tucked away in its 150-plus pages; and there are fewer advertisements here than you'll see in a Field & Stream. But what makes it most difficult to send an issue to the recycling bin is the writing, which is of a depth, breadth, and quality that you will be hard-pressed to find in any other outdoor magazine. The source of this writing helps to account for its value--specifically, it comes from all corners, including university professors who find meaning in the outdoors and their interaction with it, and people who were obviously hunting and fishing long before many people were born. But no matter whether the story you're reading seems to emanate from a campfire or a classroom, the writing itself is almost always engaging. Some will find that the combination of high art and the advertisements for exclusive game ranches makes the publication feel too much like you're sipping cognac in a leather chair in your library. The writing, however, is never so stuffy, and stays firmly rooted to the outdoors that inspire it. ... Read more

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Interesting reading for hunters & Fishermen
This magazine is a pleasant change from "Field & Stream" and "Outdoor life" The articles are well written and harken back to a day and age when one had time to sit by the fire and read a good story.5 stars for writing quality. It's expensive per issue but you'll get your money's worth out of the reading time. Ad's but far fewer than those other pulp journals. ... Read more

Asin: B00005Q7E3
Subjects:  1. Sports & Outdoors    2. General    3. Recreation. Leisure    4. Sport & Leisure   

Smithsonian
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The most fulfilling magazine to read cover to cover
Even if you can only afford the time to read a sporadic issue here or there, this is by far the most gratifying magazine to read.

This is more like an encyclopedia of current events affecting out world than a magazine.The gamut of topics is amazing and can in one article cover a topic with comprehensive, excellent writing.The consistency of quality makes it a number once choice.

It continues to carry the most intriguing articles I have ever read.If you're thinking about a subscription- pick one up at a newstand and revel in the pages of information.Chances are good you'll be so impressed you won't hesitate to indulge in a subscription to satisfy your appetite for more.

Look forward to every issue
I started receiving Smithsonian magazine a few months ago.It was the best choice I could have made in selecting a magazine.I find myself reading the articles out loud to my husband.I want to read every article because I am afraid I am going to miss something.I am saving them so my young son can enjoy them when he is older.

We are impressed with every issue
Every issue we get, we say the same thing: "WOW! This is the best issue ever!! Just look at this article, and this one...."

We took a visit to the Smithsonian in Washington, hosting some guests from Germany who had the treasures of the mineral exhibit on their "must see first time to the US" list of attractions. We were a bit nonplussed by this--we didn't know that foreigners would be interested in the Smithsonian Museum. We spent an entire day, seeing just a small percentage of thenational treasures in this montsrous museum complex. While we were shopping in one of the gift shops, we were offered a membership. We signed up to support the Smithsonian and to get this magazine.

Recently, there was an article on Cambodia's huge temple complex Ankhor Wat (filmed in "Lara Croft"), an article on sled dogs and an article onthe Kansas-Nebraska Act, a key law that added to the tinder sparking the Civil War. And best of all, an article on Diane Arbus, the photographer who was famous for her portraits of seemingly ordinary people, somehow caught with an eye to freakishness or evil. Though I've been familiar with Arbus' work for year, this article had so much new information.

If you like magazines about nature, culture and history, this is the one to get. We get excited by every issue. ... Read more

Asin: B00005Q7DP
Sales Rank: 13
Subjects:  1. History    2. Art (Arts)    3. Fine Arts   

New Moon: The Magazine For Girls & Their Dreams
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New Moon
A great magazine for 10 & under,but not for 11 year olds.It had enough about crushes,but not to much.The history article was good.

New Moon
First of all, I really used to like New Moon. I'm rather growing out of it now, but I still take a peek at copies I find once and awhile.

I love what this magazine commits to--their focus on women's rights and the environment. I love that it teaches that body image is not the only thing, that women are strong people too, and that we are all on this earth together--that it is our job to preserve it for future generations. The liberal leaning of this magazine also appeals to me. However, I do think it's a little to anxious to talk about puberty--that's what books are for, not magazines. Going from reading a feature on a girl from Africa to reading about periods--well, that's just a little too much for me. It really breaks up the flow of the magazine. Also, I didn't enjoy this magazine much after I was thirteen, by then I wanted Cicada instead.

All in all, however, this magazine is definetly worth getting for kids. I still like most parts of it, and it has some great teachings.

GREAT!
I love New Moon it is perfect for the girl who isn't totally ready for J-14 or Teen People but has good enough stuff for young teens. It is filled with great stories and uplifting advice. 5 Stars all the way. ... Read more

Asin: B00006KPSW
Sales Rank: 567
Subjects:  1. Childrens    2. General    3. Sociology: The Family. Marriage. Woman    4. Children's (Kids, Children, Kid, Juvenile)   

Cricket
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Made me who I am today
I received a gift subscription to this magazine from my aunt when I was 8 years old and kept every single issue I got in the mail until I turned 18 and my mother refused to keep paying for it (it is rather expensive). I have reread the hundreds of issues I have over and over and savored every possible detail. Because of this magazine, I became a happy appreciator of quality children's literature. Cricket doesn't talk down to children but respects their natural intelligence and curiosity. Fiction stories coexist with nonfiction, poems mingle with crosswords, beautiful illustrations appear next to photographs.

There have been numerous times when I (now 23) have spouted out random facts to my friends, only to admit (with a slightly pink face) that it was from an article in Cricket magazine that I read when I was 11. But this is a good example of the staying power of this magazine. It made me an English major. It made me a literature lover. It made me order my own subscription, in spite of being out of its targeted age range.

If you have a 7-8 year old that is starting to spend more time with books than with toys, or if you'd like your 7-8 year old to spend more time with books than with toys, consider ordering Cricket.

A great way to start a lifelong passion for reading!
I was introduced to Cricket magazine through one of my teachers in early elementary school, and soon afterward my parents began a subscription for me. From then all the way up through middle school I devoured each issue cover-to-cover the moment it arrived. At first I found it a welcome challenge compared to the overly simple and mundane classroom books of the "Mac the cat sat on a mat" variety. Even after I had surpassed the magazine in my reading ability, I continued to enjoy it for the content of the stories. Even my mother loved to read it.

The magazine provides a great collection of well-selected stories that open up an entire world for the young reader, and each issue usually has a particular theme (i.e. the Middle Ages, horses, Chinese culture, food, etc.). Some of the stories are excerpted from longer pieces and some are short works in their own right. The magazine spans all genres of literature; includes both fiction, non-ficiton, and poetry; and addresses such important themes as culture, history, family and friends, growing up, and much more. Some pieces have serious and valuable morals, while others are just plain fun.

The magazine also offers book recommendations, a comic strip, a crossword puzzle, jokes, and contests for art, photography, fiction, and poetry. Moreover, each issue is beautifully illustrated. I believe the artwork in this magazine did much to inspire my own early artistic endeavors. I would highly recommend this magazine to parents and teachers alike. The stories are excellent material for young readers, and would also be great to read aloud to children. On the whole, this is a terrific blend of recreation and education! The makers of Cricket also offer other magazines for different age levels - Spider, Ladybug, and Babybug for the younger ones, and Cicada for adolescents.

Cricket continues to deliver quality
The Fong family is now a multi-generation Cricket household. I loved it as a kid and now my daughters (ages 7, 5 & 2) are enjoying every issue as well. Cricket wins on many levels. As a parent the stories, poems, games and cartoons deliver good, wholesome entertainment you won't mind reading to your kids again, and again, and again.... We save every issue and re-read our favorites regularly.

The different age level magazines Carus offers (Cricket, Spider, Ladybug and Babybug) make them great "independent reading" material as well.

Finally, I don't know of a single kid who isn't thrilled to receive real "snail mail" once a month! ... Read more

Asin: B00006FXOO
Sales Rank: 204
Subjects:  1. Children's (Kids, Children, Kid, Juvenile)   

Vanity Fair
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I so look forward to each issue
I've had an ongoing subscription to Vanity Fair for about 10 years.It is the one magazine subscription that I won't let expire.I really love it,especially Dominick Dunne's articles and the rabid anti- Bush stance of the entire editorial staff. Well worth the price.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll... with a Better Vocabulary
I've been an avid reader of Vanity Fair since first subscribing at age 16. How else would I know the goings-on of people like Jocelyn Wildenstein and Princesses Marie-Chantal, Pia, and Alexandra (aka The Miller Sisters)?

Vanity Fair consistently provides a well-balanced volume of investigative reports, society gossip, movers-and-shakers features, and luscious photography. If you care to know the who's who of everything upper-crust -- philanthropy, fine dining, theater and the arts, film, fashion -- Vanity Fair is the magazine to treasure. The photography alone is reason enough to subscribe: they are so masterfully styled and intricately decorated, images from ten years ago still are emblazoned in my (nutty-professor-forgetful) mind.

Sophisticated!!!
This is one magazine in the so-called "general" category (non political and business oriented) magazine that I always find intriguing to read. This is New Yorker meets Vogue.

The articles are thought-provoking but written in a light-hearted manner. Some articles are worthy of the Pulitzer Prize. Yes, the magazine embraces 'superficiality'... but then you should know that by now.

A weekend treat!!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIPX
Sales Rank: 25
Subjects:  1. Entertainment    2. Fashion & Style    3. Women's Fashion