Winds of Change Magazine

This high-quality periodical is filled with articles about American Indians involved in Science and Engineering,and Education, what is happening in these areas, and resources for American Indians in Science and Engineering. A section on the arts is also included. Throughout the magazine, the correlation between traditional knowledge and modern thought is constantly evaluated and supported. An excellent source.

Atomic Ranch

I was very excited to subscribe to this magazine through the convenience of Amazon. Because I wouldn't get my first issue till the fall, I went to Borders and got the summer issue. To my absolute SHOCK, the subscription card from the magazine said "one year only $19.99" (over a $14 difference than Amazon). You can not cancel a subscription with Amazon, and they have not responded to my complaints of the pricing difference. It's a great magazine, but go to your local book store. It's going to be a while before I order anything from Amazon again!

Ever since I saw "Atomic Ranch" in a bookstore, I knew I would be a long-term subscriber. The magazine is devoted to ranch homes built during the cold war (roughly the 1950s to 1970s) that were considered cool when they were built, and have been updated in unique and beautiful ways since then.

The first word that comes to mind when leafing through this magazine is "retro," and for good reason. The magazine explores the glory of a once-fading architectural form and brings it up to date with contemporary alterations, which in many cases go back to the roots of the house, undoing years of ill-advised "improvements" (especially notorious in the 1980s.) Fortunately the magazine is geographically diverse, exploring homes far from the coasts in places like Chicago, Charlotte, and Baton Rouge.

For once I am happy to read all the advertisements, normally the bane of a magazine. Here, though, the ads are for fun and cool products and are frequently as interesting as the articles.

I recommend "Atomic Ranch" with my highest possible endorsement: lovers of modern architecture and style trends will want to read every page of every issue like I do.

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Having submitted my order in May 2005, and getting my first issue in late July, I was somewhat irked when I also noticed the subscription price difference.

That aside, it's really an interesting magazine.

Please don't think it's for everyone, however. Unlike other publications that look at the archecture elements or design elements, I believe this is for folks interested in preserving a shrine to the '50s and '60s life-style. It is innocuous enough to use that weird green and pink, together, to make some sort of statement I suppose -but I didn't like it when it was "trendy." The boomerang accent tables are a wonderful comparison for the difference between "mod" and "modern" and why alot of folks wouldn't want to get too far back into that "mod" thing.

Overall, pretty good. Just don't get stung on the subscription price.

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I liked the magazine, being an owner in a neighborhood that 2 consecutive issues featured homes from was interesting, however, they did not fulfill our subscription, and when we brought this up to them via email they blamed us and the post office for not receiving it, they sent them out 2 months prior to us moving here, but they blamed us for not providing a new address, even though we had only been here 2 weeks when we contacted them. very rude and they never not once said, 'let us check our records", just a "we won't send another" end of chat. Very brassy for a start-up magazine. I am done with them

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I have had great customer service with this magazine and have loved getting every issue and reading it from cover to cover. When I called to subscribe to Atomic Ranch one of its employees even asked me questions regarding my own ranch home and suggested that I send pictures in for someone in their staff to review. I strongly recommend this magazine to anyone who loves mid-century modern homes and decor.

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Highlights For Children

I enjoyed this magazine as a kid, but then, I also loved Electric Company. Looking at both now, they seem dated and tedious, but perhaps our children need something that moves at a slower pace than everything seems to do now. Neither of my children (5 & 7) enjoyed Highlights at first, but after getting a subscription from their grandmother, they have discovered the joy of curling up in a quiet corner and figuring out the puzzles and stories for themselves. It's a magazine with a style and format that encourages reflection and absorption, rather than a voracious grab and go version of reading, that I believe will give a child a better foundation. "To read without reflection is like eating without digesting" Edmund Burke

The product itself is good and engaging for kids.

However, be wary once your a customer and a client because you will be in their records. Their marketing trick is to keep on sending you "gifts" or packages of more books or puzzles even up to the point that you dont even ask for it. Later on you'll be charged for it for not returning their books (of course you will mistakenly think they were part of your subscription in the first place.) So you will incur charges, even late fees if you dont pay. And cancelling can be a pain too! You will be in their "collection agency" if you don't pay up. Bad customer service!

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I was so excited to find this title on Amazon.com! My kids love this magazine and it's even more fun than when I was little. I still see this in all the doctor offices and now we can have our own copy at home! My children's teachers have recommended this to supplement their reading curriculum. My kids don't sem to notice that they are learning since they are having so much fun. I'll be glad to turn off the TV, the advertisements, and the games each month when my issue arrives. Thanks Highlights!

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My daughter received a subscription to High Five as a gift. This is a version of the magazine for younger children...from Highlights. She loves it. In one of the magazines, at the back, there was a little scratch game. You had to scratch the pieces and if you had three matches you could win a FREE book and a FREE tote bag. So of course we won. My daughter was very excited and I thought it was pretty cool myself. A couple weeks later we get some Highlights puzzle magazines in the mail...didn't think anything of it. This morning my wife and daughter are having fun doing activities in these magazines and I start to wonder, out loud, why they gave these to us. I start sifting through all the papers and find an invoice that says we owe $2.45 for S&H and $5.49 for one of the puzzle "books" (they're actually magazines)...and a couple more that are "free". Then I come across another piece of paper that informs me that they will send me the "free" tote once I send them the money. This absolutely infuriates and disgusts me. How can they take something fun and innocent and turn it into something ugly. I remember having Highlights when I was a kid! I'm looking for alternative activity books for my daughter as I was planning on continuing the subscription when it ended.

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Highlights magazine is the New Yorker of children's literature. Following that analogy, the Nickelodean Magazine or Disney Princess might be the In Touch Weekly's of children's lit. Highlights may at times feel outdated and stale (as might the New Yorker), but overall the quality is consistent and there is plenty to enjoy. The Hidden Picture puzzle alone is worth the price. If you only know the magazine from schools and doctor's waiting rooms from your childhood, you might not have had the chance to see a pristine Hidden Picture puzzle. The pictures end up getting marked up by kids with poor impulse control and listless parents, the future sociopaths of America, who evidently did not absorb any lessons first from Goofus and Gallant. With Highlights you get no advertising, no slick pandering your children, and you get stories, puzzles, projects, poems, and those lovable Timbertoes.

It's also good just to get magazines for kids in the mail. I find it to be a nice way to encourage reading in my family. Nothing cuter than going through the mail with the kids after which everyone sits down together, in earnest, and flips through their magazine.

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Boating (1-year auto-renewal)

A good magazine for boaters interested in mostly trailerable boats. Solid reviews, lots of helpful tips/tricks and great vacation suggestions. Wouldn't mind just a little more content... but it is a boating magazine...

I used to get this magazine years ago and liked it. Now it's all ads. Gone to pot. Very disappointed as I was giving it as a gift.

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There is so much other garbage for magazines. It's a pleasure to read every BOATING magazine I get in the mail. I find most product reviews either are now, or will be later, applicable to me and my boat. Yatta Yatta. Yatta. I just enjoy every Issue.

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New Jersey Monthly (1-year auto-renewal)

I'm not a big fan of New Jersey Monthly. For one thing, it is jam packed with ads. Also, even though it's supposed to be about the entire state of NJ, it focuses heavily on North Jersey. I think South Jersey Magazine has more interesting articles covering things people really want to read about -unlike NJ Magazine, which wastes endless amounts of space on things like so and so's million dollar kitchen renovation (who cares?). Sometimes I feel like I'm reading "Cribs: The Magazine". Maybe some people are into this stuff, but for the average New Jerseyan, I wouldn't recommend it. Lastly -and this really bugs me -I saw one of the editors on a local news program talking about "The Diner Issue" where NJ Magazine ranked top NJ diners. When asked how they came up with the list, said editor did not reply that they polled readers, researched online reviews by real customers, or sent out teams of taste testers to as many diners as possible. Instead, she answered that the magazine staff simply picked them. NICE.

As a transplant to NJ I looked forward to this magazine every month to learn about my adopted state. It was a terrific guide to the state's history, current events, people, places to explore, etc.

In recent years the magazine has become a guide to the best decorators, doctors, plastic surgeons, lawyers, trendy restaurants, expensing housing, etc. If I used to spend an hour or two reading each issue I now spend 15 minutes.

I have need a subscriber for more than 10 years and now I may not renew -Bob

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Informative magazine however there are too many advertisements. I wish it had more information then it actually does. It was truly a disappointment.

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Lots of information about New Jersey, past, present and future. Great recommendations for things to do, places to visit and eat. Only negative is that it has too much medical advertising.

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Great magazine if you live in or nearby New Jersey. Stories are well written and there are always great reviews of neat places at which to eat.

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Imaginefx

I am a regular U.S. reader of other Future Publishing art titles, and was overjoyed to see the first title on the newsstand of this fantastic magazine.

ImagineFX explores the digital science fiction, fantasy and anime genres through letters, interviews, portfolio expositions and fantastic tutorials. All issues also include pull-out artwork by the featured artist, as well as a companion DVD featuring files for the tutorials, artwork and software. Within the magazines pages one will find a wide assortment of styles and artists, including everything from tutorials by noted conceptual artist Ryan Church to explorations of gothic art by several fantastic artists which all serve to expand your creativity and help you along your own creative path.

On the minus side, most of us U.S. readers will be put off by the per-issue pricetag. But for those living in the U.K. (lucky!) or those U.S. readers willing and able to part with the money, this magazine is not to be missed!

This is a brilliant magazine!

I cannot stress enough just how helpful and user friendly this magazine is, with step-by-step tutorials, Q&A section, book and programme recommendations and beautiful art show casings. It covers a little bit of everything and comes with a DVD containing Demo's, art tutorials, Photo's and fonts and more. It's a magazine written for artists by artists and as a result I found my work improving greatly just from reading and practicing the tutorials in this magazine.

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First, this is a great magazine.

Second, you're much better off buying a single issue and getting a subscription from the card inserts or even going to the ImagineFX site and ordering from there. Even with our lousy exchange price it's better than $178. Really bad price here.

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Imagine FX is by far the most detailed magazine that I have seen that is completely loyal and devoted to Scifi and Fantasy Digital Art. Whether your a technician or an admirer, this book oozez with talent and technique. The magazine is not a pro's only book and they take a hands on approach to helping amateurs. None of the writers seem full of themselves. They all know they are in a liquid world of a digital medium where everyone learns from everyone. I highly recommend this magazine. It's more than average price tag is worth every penny, especially when every magazine comes packaged with a disc choc-full of demos, tutorials, photoshop brushes and source art. There is no other experience that comes near the likes of Imagine FX.

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Rather this has more to do with the quality of the service I have received with Magazine Express, who is the company that distributes this magazine for amazon.

I do not at all recommend anyone subscribe to this magazine through Amazon, you are better off going straight through ImagineFX and subscribing via their website. This service is a whole lot of hassle and heart ache for nothing.

Long story follows:

My last months issue came very late about 2 weeks late, and I called and harassed Amazon and they were very nice and helpful. Magazine Express however took their sweet time and I got my magazine almost a week later (which by now was 3/4 into the month) and the magazine was damaged and missing the disc. So i complained yet again to Amazon employees, who were wonderful and not at fault here, and they said they would do their best to help me. I didn't receive word back from Magazine Express or Amazon until the 30th (which at that point I had already bought the magazine to enjoy), and I even bought the special edition because I wasn't sure I was even getting that. So yesterday (January 3rd!!!) I get both magazines, the december issue and the special edition, and not only are they not actual Imagine FX subscription magazines, with the big cover, they're regular store bought ones.

I call today to find out why I have received them when I asked on the 30th after so long that I didn't want the december issue and I wanted to be credited back my money for the month, since I already bought it after waiting so long. The guy tells me over the phone that "Oh the issues for that month come in at the end of the month". That is not true since i had received all of my first 3 months almost a week early, and also what's the point of having a subscription if I'm just going to get my issue super late and I could just go out and buy it at the store in the beginning of the month to enjoy it for that month.

This is madness!

Just go and get your subscription through ImagineFX website, that is what I am going to do when this subscription runs out.

I have yet to receive my January issue. I guess I get to enjoy it at the end of the month.

Surfing (1-year auto-renewal)

Surfing is my favorite magazine. I've been surfing since I was 18 and having moved up to Northern California I do miss the tropical southern california days. Reading surfing keeps me motivated on those rainy cold days up here. Great photography and the stories of surf missions let me live vicariously!

I first encountered Surf magazine in the bathroom of my old job when I was at University. After that, I was hooked, and when I came home for the summer, I ordered it. I'll admit I don't surf, and never have, but I honestly love the way the articles are written--they actually interest you into reading them, and the whole magazine has a nice chill vibe to it. If you want to keep up with surfing and the surfing world, there is no other magazine to get!

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He would have to give you more details but this is the only one he is stuck on. He asks for a renewal every year.

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I have been buying this magazine for years for my boys. I love looking at it also. This is a great price and anyone who loves the water , will love this magazine

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Im a little bit worrie about my subscripcion of this magazine because i cant get it yet... when i supost to have it already!!!.

Please let me know about it. and when i can get it, PLEASE

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Philadelphia (1-year auto-renewal)

I also disagree with the first poster; while admittedly heavy on the "upscale" advertising, Philadelphia Magazine always has at least an article or two of interest, along with great tips on what to do in the region...I also find the special issues, such as "Best of Philly", "Top Docs", and "Top Schools" both entertaining and informative.

The low, low price of the subscription enticed me to order. My first issue arrive and I found it enjoyable. Being a Philadelphia suburbanite, there are articles of interest and give me better insight into what the city has to offer if I dare to enter.

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I've noticed a pattern over the years with Philadelphia Magazine: The biggest advertisers get the best reviews. The best restaurants who do not pay for add space, do not get good reviews or the "Best of Philadelphia" placards. I would not buy this magazine nor would I read it any more even if it were free. Get the "Philadelphia Weekly" or the "City Paper" for the most current advice on what to do and where to go in Philadelphia. They are what the "Village Voice" used to be: gritty, down to earth and very irreverent toward things we're supposed to like.

I followed the bad advice of Philadelphia Magazine for the last time years ago. People who've lived here in Philadelphia for a long time, and are in the habit of going out, do not respect the integrity or quality of this magazine. I'm only reviewing it because Amazon insulted me by asking me to subscribe.

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each issue has huge ad promotion for lawyers or doctors also gives dates of events that have passed useless information classifieds are always the same pretty boring!

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This is your typical city magazine. It highlights all of the different activities, places to see and eat as well as provides reviews of different restaurants, clubs and places to shop. It has an article or two on political / city type current events that the locals may find of interest.

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Nascar Illustrated

The magazine is top notch, but you can subscribe via one of the little post card inserts for 12 months for $24.00. Just an FYI in case you don't really feel the need to shell out $50.

This is not a review of the magazine by any means. The magazine is absolutely fabulous. Articles are well written. Photography is top notch. But you don't need to pay $45 for a year subscription. I didn't know that when I excitedly ordered my subscription here. Go out and buy yourself a $5 issue and take one of those postcard sized subscription requests. Send it in and get a full year for $18.

It's worth the $45 but why pay more if you don't have to?

I wish I had been a little more patient when I decided to subscribe. Just goes to show that Amazon and its affiliates aren't always offering the best bang for your buck.

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I have emailed them, but I can't get an answer and I haven't received the magazine as yet. It's a Birthday gift and I sure would like to know when I can expect it.

Thank you,

Sharon L. Dodier

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No doubt about it, it's a great magazine, but, you can find it quite a bit cheaper...by "googling" it

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The first edition has not been received as of yet...It was ordered more than a month, however I have heard good reviews.

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USA Today : the Nations Newspaper - 6 Month Subscription

This subscription for USA Today was ordered and paid for yet I never received a single issue for over 2 months even though the delivery time was about one month.

When I called the Magazine service as instructed by Amazon, I was told that the delivery would be delayed another month. This was unacceptable and I cancelled the subscription. I was told I would receive a refund. I assumed since not one issue was received that I would be refunded the $52.00 I paid. Shortly later I get an e-mail from Amazon the I was refunded only $17.00

I e-mailed back and was told to contact the Magazine service. I the responded that I had already done that and I should receive a full refund. That was the last e-mail I sent to Amazon. It's about 3 weeks now and I've still not gotten a reply from Amazon. I'm accepting that I was screwed out of $35...and will never again order a subscription from Amazon.

Great paper when it arrives, our subscription started a few weeks ago and it's been coming on and off ever since then. Somedays we get the paper, some days we don't. When you call Magazine Express they seem helpful and will offer to call the delivery source to try to find out what the issues are. In the future I'll just order direct from USA Today, it's the same price and you can cut out the problems with the "middle man".

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LOVE the paper.

I buy it everyday (when available next to STARBUCKS)

But oftentimes it just wasn't there. once every 7-8 days maybe

So I thought with the subscription it would be better...NOT

I must be in a BAD area, San Diego-East Del Mar.

I was VERY disappointed and I cancelled after the delievry was even WORSE.

They missed at least ONCE a week.

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I have read Usa Today for years. I tried the three month trial. I knew it was an automatic renewal on my credit card for an additional month if I did not cancel my subscription. I did call one month prior to renewal date to stop the renewal. When I contined to get the newspaper after the ending date I called customer service. (Oh, you cannot cancel your EZ pay on line. You have to call them.) When I called and ask about my account the rep said I would be charged. I ask to speak to someone else. Couldn't do it. Would not let me. So, I wrote an email on their "Contact Us". Got an email that said someone would contact me. Never did. Sent another email. Same result. I will never deal with them again.

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I ordered this subscription for my son. The paper delivery started sooner than expected. It arrives promptly each week day and is in perfect condition. My son has enjoyed the articles, particularly those in the sports section. He plans on renewing the subscription when it runs out.

Taste of the South

I saw this magazine when I was on vacation in the south and subscribed immediately when I got home. I've yet to run into a bad recipe from this magazine. It reminds me of what Southern Living used to be before they changed it. A bit pricey, but you'll keep every dog-eared copy.

Three years later: As the original review below says, I loved this magazine at first. I bought all the available back issues and subscribed for three years. I did not resubscribe when the last subscription expired. Unfortunately, to me, the editors are offering fewer recipes in each issue and have increased the "travel" and "restaurant review" aspect. There also seems to be increased advertising in the magazine. I don't mind ads in magazines, I know that's what subsidizes the printing, etc. I don't want pages and pages about a restaurant in a distant city with a couple of their recipes. I don't want a travelogue. I don't want more advertisements than recipes, particularly ads for products that aren't even available in my area. I want recipes. That's what it's all about for me. The recipes.

I purchased a copy of this magazine at Sam's club, made the coconut pie featured on the cover, and I am sold on this magazine. I have since purchased a subscription from Amazon, and received the latest issue. These are usable recipes for ordinary people. No exotic ingredients (well the first issue required a cola drink available only in parts of the South but I made a couple of recipes substituting Coca Cola!), easy to follow recipes, and my husband LOVES that coconut pie recipe! Too, I've never successfully made my own pie crusts; used a recipe from that first issue and the crust recipe is better than excellent. I'm still not a pretty pie crust maker, but they sure taste good. You won't be disappointed if you like regular food.

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I truly enjoy this magazine. I save it until I have time to set down and look

at it quietly.

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I love good food and I love to cook. This is a great magazine. I look forward to each issue. I save each one I get. I just love this magazine. The recipes are yummy. If you like good food and love to cook this is the magazine for you. Charlotte Swincicki

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We love the magazine and various food displays and recipes, We are always impressed with Amazon magazine process and its renewal notification.......

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Cookbook Digest

I was hoping to reconnect with the wonderful Cookbook Digest of 15 years ago. This is not it. The old mag had 50+ recipes from half a dozen cookbooks in each edition, and there were always some good ones. This has maybe a dozen at most per issue and in 6 months I've not yet found one I wanted to try. Really just no good. Sorry.

This cookbook magazine contains a nice balance of recipies. It selects the best of all new cookbooks.

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Knives Illustrated

"The first issue should arrive in 6-10 weeks." I got mine in 9 weeks, that is quite a wait.

The magazine seems "retro" in looks and feel. Blade Magazine has more pictures and articles. There seems to be a bias to advertisers products in the articles.

I did notice this in Knives' Illustrated.

Wished they would print an issue every month, but at first I was disappointed(I'm used to reading BLADE which is outstanding) and not up-and-up with some articles, but a few did interest me, but the articles that interested me were about swords!!!

I've only got one issue so far, another should be on it's way.

I did noticed the "closed in" feel, it's just not as open as BLADE magazine is. Just look at their knife show calender, not too many small shows, and most are huge and highly affiliated somehow with Knives Illustrated. There seems to be more of "pleasing the upper management" of the Publishers with Knives' Illustrated. It's the only alternative to Blade, and will I resubscribe? Yes while it isn't as good as BLADE, it's interesting and you will learn something.

It is a little pricey, but if you don't mind the cost, it is worth the money. Full of pics and information. Some issues are better than others depending on your interest. I like knives and enjoy viewing what is being done in the knife world.

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This magazine helps keep you updated on a mounthly basis on what is happening in the ever changing knife world.

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Car and Driver (1-year auto-renewal)

C&D was once entertaining, witty, objective and a great read. The staff worked well together and they put out a consistently good magazine. Then it went through some rough years where it got kind of tame and boring. Now, it's an ill fitting mix of new and old writers trying to be fresh and hip while being spoon fed by the car manufactures. The magazine lacks consistency, focus and any sort of clear vision as to what they're about.

C&D mostly seems to print what the biggest manufactures want them to. There have been several articles lately, such as on the new Nissan GT-R and Corvette ZR1, that literally mirror articles in other magazines even featuring some of the same quotes from the same car execs. You might as well go to the manufacture's websites and read their press releases.

There has been a lot of inconsistency in C&D's reviews. One car will be rave reviewed, and 4 issues later, will place near the bottom of a multi-car comparison test. The impression is very much whichever manufacture spends the most on ads, dinners, drinks, and other gratuities, gets top billing regardless of the quality and performance of their vehicles.

Some of the writing is entertaining, but that's offset by the same tired editors (Csere, Bedard, et al.) who largely keep writing the same stuff they've been whining about for a decade or three. The end result comes off as heavily biased, anything but objective, and an awkard mix of writing styles.

My suggestion: Save some trees and just skim the C&D website for their rare entertaining exclusive article and get the rest of your automotive news somewhere else.

Unfortunately, when Csebra...Casasba....Csabsbreaedads, er, forget it, Editor CC took over the reigns, the quality of the mag dropped with it. Readers letters, specifically those with constructive criticism, are often met with sarcastic, child-like responses. There was many a time when I agreed with a reader's letter, only to read CC shoot it down. Where is this man's humility?

The pictures and layout are still good. Some of the covers promise what looks to be an in-depth article, only to find out inside that it's a one or two page affair. All the US car magazines are swamped with ads, keeping our copy price down, the latter of which is nice. But after 16 years of subscription, I chose not to renew in March. I've been looking at recently resurrected Road and Track, and they have really changed their publication from stodgy old-fart affair to a modern, informative read.

Car and Driver doesn't need a new layout. It needs better management.

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Can barely contain my disappointment. Snarky mocking editors and perspectives that are simply not helpful or even interesting I went back to C and D and could not have been more disappointed

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This is a great magazine, including reviews and tests of newest cars, suvs, trucks, and super cars... nice pictures, and full of info related to the automotive world

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What is it with all these bad reviews? I was 50/50 on whether to order a subscription to motor trend or car and driver. So I looked at some of the past magazines I had recently purchased (In the last 3 months as of 08/12/10) from motor trend and from car and driver. I went with car and driver, they are better. I read articles over the new 2011 Cobra Mustang in a Car and driver and in the motor trend and it was so much better in car and driver. In car and driver they talked over (I never knew) the cobra mustang isn't great because alot of the weight is in the front of the car because of the engine, and not to mention its rear axle, so on. Motor tend is a great magazine i love it but im only choosing one, if i could get both i would.

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American Gunsmith (1-year auto-renewal)

This magazine is an excellent ref tool, for those who are in the fire arms industry. This is a must have for all people who deal in weapons, weapons repair, and weapons manufacturing.

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Woodcraft Magazine

Woodcraft is a magazine published by the Woodcraft woodworking stores and it shows. There is a lot more reviews of products than with other magazines. Projects are good but not many beginner ones. Geared more toward folks that have some good woodworking background. Projects are there and well written but not many per issue (3-4). Lots of write-up about layout and less on how to do that step (Assumes you know how to do mortises and tongue and groove for instance).

Why 3 stars? Not very thick per a bi-annual issue (few ads!) so rather pricy. I have not done any projects like I have with Woodworker Journal (my #1 choice). One of a few magazines I let the subscription run out.

I work in a library, so between my personal subscriptions and the magazines I get to see at work, I read nearly every woodworking magazine in existence each month. I feel that this is one of the best a no nonsense, straight-to-the-projects sort of publication. I appreciate and enjoy both the well written text and the clear and colorful photos, but I think I most appreciate the great selection of projects. All in all, there is something here for most every woodworker. If you are tiring of the lower-end magazines, definitely think about this one. Its a keeper!

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I know Latin is dead...but now matter buyer beware is always relevant. Woodcraft's magazine is exactly like their store, overpriced for the quality, lacking in many many areas, for example the customer service is horrible and it is plagued with shipping problems and oh yeah like I said before its quality is substandard when compared to the price...there are much finer woodworking magazines out there!

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Cook's Illustrated (1-year auto-renewal)

Cooks Illustrated is like no other cooking magazine I have ever read. It's a sort of Consumers Reports for cooking, aimed at the beginning gourmand. The magazine includes recipes, tips sent in by readers, standard methods for important cooking procedures, reviews of gadgets or food items, and reviews of cookbooks. All of these are accompanied by beautiful black-and-white illustrations and photos of the foods and techniques used (which explains the "Illustrated" part of the magazine title).

My favorite articles are those that delve into the development of the recipe featured. These articles all provide a standard format of describing the "perfect" representation of the items and then the authors explain their process for creating their final recipes and the method by which to read and make the recipes. While this sounds scientific (and indeed, it is), the writing is delightful and down-to-earth, not dry or esoteric as other gourmet magazines. In addition, sidebar articles explore choosing particular ingredients or comparisons of different brands or gadgets relating to the recipe shown and give clear direction where the more elusive ingredients and gadgets can be purchased.

While I am not always confident that the recipes in other magazines or cookbooks have been tested, I am always certain that the recipes in Cooks Illustrated have been rigorously reviewed and have been designed to be made by the average cook, not trained culinary experts. If you are seeking a magazine that provides tried-and-true recipes for basic food items (ranging from Beef Stroganoff to Salade Nicoise), this is a perfect choice. It is obvious that this magazine is a work of love for its editors and writers. There are no advertisements, and the only color photos are on the inside of the back page of the magazine.

(At one time, Cooks Illustrated had a special featured area on Amazon.com. The articles posted there are still available on Amazon.com, but you have to dig. Search under the book The Best Recipe, click through to the book description, and under "Book Information" in the left column, click the Amazon.com articles link and explore from there. These articles are great--albeit more brief and non-illustrated--versions of the articles in the magazine.)

"Cook's Illustrated" serves as a mentor to me and others who refused to learn the art and science of cookery in the kitchens of their loved ones. I did take a home economics class in high school, but my main memory of it is my teacher's repeated iteration of "Oh mercy, Elaine. Mercy." It took a long diet of college jello and Spanish Rice, and then a marriage in which neither of us fathomed the mysteries of the kitchen to get me interested in the art of cooking for myself and others.

Most of the other magazines in the culinary market don't seem to cater to the cooking-challenged. For instance, the seemingly simple instruction "beat enough sugar into the meringue to stiffen it" caused me to set the oven on fire. I added cups and cups of sugar to my three egg whites and the darn meringue finally got grainy, which I figured was the equivalent of 'stiff.' Not so. Once enough heat was applied, the meringue flooded over the sides of the pie plate and set the oven ablaze. It was not easy explaining my culinary mishap to a sceptical fireman.

My inadvertent attempt at incendiarism wouldn't have happened if I had been following a recipe in "Cook's Illustrated." Here the recipes are lovingly detailed, and there diagrams on 'simple' techniques such as How to Slice an Onion. Most of you probably learned about such matters at your mother's knee, but I was more interested in Astronomy than Onions back in the good old days when someone cooked for me. As a consequence, I've been slicing onions incorrectly until the December 2004 "Cook's Illustrated" hit the newstand.

The contributors to this magazine test their recipes multiple times, varying the ingredients, using different cooking utensils, until they get what they consider to be the perfect outcome. For instance, in the article on "Balsamic Braised Chicken," John Olson writes: "At that point, I stopped my tests with the high-end vinegar. Simmering such a vinegar might well be considered high crime in Italy. All the time and effort expended to create its subtle flavor balance would be wasted, as boiling destroys it. (This is not a problem with the cheap stuff.)"

"Cook's Illustrated" recipes are adventures into a mysterious art, as well as producers of wonderful dishes. The editors don't accept advertisements, so you can trust their ingredient and product recommendations. If you are a fan of the show, "America's Test Kitchen" on public television, then you'll definitely love the magazine that details this program's favorite recipes. Also check out their website at cooksillustrated.com for eleven years worth of recipes.

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This is a good magazine for the home cook that wants to branch-out from the standard Family Circle or Good Housekeeping no risk recipes.

My BIG problem with this company is once they've got your contact information, you will receive more junk mail than you thought one company could generate; hawking every single publication they produce, relentlessly.

I stopped subscribing and it took a year to stop receiving their snail spam; and there's no way to 'opt out' online

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This magazine series is an excellent source of information beyond the wonderful recipes and cooking tips. For each simple recipe, there is a story behind how the formula was derived. Each recipe is painstakingly prepared in a test kitchen to get the best results -with suggestions for alternative approaches.

The standard format is that each magazine has approximately ten good recipes plus some cooking gear/tips. Each recipe is given with a brief history, the trials in the kitchen and then the recipe/instructions/hints.

As an example, the editor goes into great detail about the perfect New York Cheesecake. He provides information about the impact of adding additional eggs or egg yolks, tips on making a graham cracker crust easier to fill the pan, and why cracks happen (and how to avoid them.) All of this was done as a learning process (I tried this and the result was... so I tried this and ...)

The recipes are all wonderful. I have yet to be unsuccessful with anything I have tried. You will find this magazine well worth the cost if you enjoy the process as much as the preparation.

However, if you are just looking for the best recipes, I would suggest skipping the subscription and buying the cookbooks from the "Best Recipe" series that the magazine editors have also published.

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Cook's is an above average cooking magazine, don't get me wrong. Its format gets a bit stale after awhile, but the magazine itself is ok. The sales techniques used are what makes me give this a 1 star.

I had a representative of Cook's call me and ask me if I would like to buy their cookbook. I answered "no thank you". As a typical sales call, they continued their rehearsed sales techniques on how it would be worth it, told me if I didn't like it, I could simply send it back within 30 days. I restated my no thank you. He asked me why I wouldn't just try it and send it back if I didn't like it. I told him that I don't want to be hassled and I don't want to have to remember to return something in 30 days.

The Cook's Illustrated representative then began a personal attack on me, asking me how I manage to pay my bills on time if I'm that unresponsible. I was speechless. I was hoping that this was a one time thing a rogue employee on a bad day, but after googling the magazine, I'm afraid it is more par for the course.

Above average magazine, TERRIBLE sales techniques.

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Farm & Ranch Living

This is a great magazine that gives the reader great ideas in the workings of a small farm or ranch. A very good overall go-to publication to learn new skills and ideas about what works and what doesn't.

We subscribed for several years and then as we cut back on expenses, we let this lapse. Well, we missed it so that we subscribed once again after four years. Oh, how we missed it. It has very interesting diaries from different family farms and a person can see how life is out on the farm and beautiful photos. When we received our new first issue, my husband said he read it word for word, cover to cover and that's the first time in a very long time that he could say that about a magazine!

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Sew Beautiful

Sew Beautiful magazine is one of the few American magazines devoted to heirloom sewing, smocking and the fine needle arts. Without a doubt, SB boasts the most attractively photographed articles, projects and layouts. Each issue features exquisite examples of heirloom-quality garments, pillows, notions, etc. all lavishly displayed in charming settings. This publication is a visual pleasure to leaf through.

So what's the problem why not the full five stars? Well...

Since I took up smocking and needle arts in 1997 I have subscribed to SB for one year and bought issues off the stand intermittently since. As a beginner and an intermediate level sew-er, I rarely find anything do-able in the pages of SB. The projects, patterns and features are really geared toward quite advanced heirloom sewers/needleworkers. It can be quite overwhelming, even intimidating, to admire for instance a lovely christening gown ensemble that requires high-level handstitching skills, and several tricks on the sewing machine that I can't begin to fathom without hours of instruction. Often, obscure specialized tools and machine feet are required. And how many beginners want to practice on the hard-to-find and pricey fabrics and trims so casually recommended, like swiss nelona and dupioni silk? Alternatives like plain old imperial batiste and cotton floss are so seldom mentioned as to give the reader the impression that they just aren't suitable for heirloom sewing. After my subscription ran out I was left with the feeling that I may never "catch up" enough (or be wealthy enough) to attempt most of the gorgeous items in SB.

I have seen a few other magazines that address this problem by providing illustrated, step-by-step guides in the back sections to the handwork stitches that are required for the projects. This is very practical and reassuring for newbies. One Australian magazine even has kits available by mail order or internet for all their charming projects. It would be great to see more of that in SB, as well as more projects that you don't have to have advanced skills to attempt.

On the whole, SB is nicely done and I could recommend it for the more advanced level smockers and needleworkers.

-Andrea, aka Merribelle.

Okay, I will agree with the previous two reviews about both the elitist attitude (extremely expensive materials, not for beginners) and that the clothes are pretty out of date and in most of the country your daughter would be snickered at for wearing a lace tea-gown outside the house. But I still love this magazine.

There are beginner's projects that come along every once and a while: there was a multi-issue album quilt last year that explained all of the techniques perfectly (it would be great if they could sell that as a stand-alone pattern, it was a wonderful introduction). It's true that not every issue has them, but if you look on the newsstand you can usually find if the new issue has one. The thing is that it's a magazine for people who enjoy heirloom sewing: knitting magazines don't have explicit instructions on how to purl, quilting magazines don't show you how to use a rotary cutter. Sew Beautiful just assumes that you have a working knowledge of heirloom sewing: and they do have a very quick primer on lace sewing techniques in the center pullout.

If you're interested in learning heirloom techniques, I still recommend purchasing this magazine, even if only a few issues at a newstand. You'll be introduced to a lot of the most popular designers and their techniques, and you'll find out the best resources (shops, classes, books) to learn. It's also a great aspirational magazine, and though I would never dress my kids in most of the clothes that grace their pages, a lot of the details can easily be adapted to more play-friendly clothes.

One tip: if you buy the magazine and use the pull-out card to buy a subscription, it only costs $25 a year, as opposed to Amazon's $35 a year.

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IMHO, the biggest flaw in SB is that it focuses too tightly on children's clothing. Otherwise I enjoy it immensely. I often look to it for inspiration when I'm planning a new garment for myself. If your mind is open to possibilities there is plenty here to give you ideas and new techniques. My suggestion is not to take this as a project magazine to be interpreted literally. I always see the projects as examples of ways you can use the techniques in your own sewing.

I would have to disagree with previous reviewers who complain the materials are "extremely " expensive. They are not *cheap*, but they certainly are not the most expensive of fabrics. If you know fabric you will realize that the materials are in the lower middle of the road... not the cheapest junk available but nowhere near the price of couture quality yard goods. Most of what's needed can be found at your local big box fabric store, and if you use the 50% off coupon wisely you can get your silk dupioni and handkerchief linen for less than you'd pay for cotton at a local quilt shop.

The styles in SB reflect a cultural difference between the Old South and trendy new fashion. It might look odd to some but people in Martha's culture actually dress themselves and their children in this way. It can either be viewed as "timeless" or "out-of-date", but your carefully wrought heirlooms won't look passe in 5 years either. That's the main problem with current style... too much of it and it's dated in a few years. It seems to me that rather than "elitist", SB leans more towards old school conservative. If you are looking for fashion, then Threads should be your go-to magazine. If you are looking for classic "heirloom sewing", SB is it.

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The magazine opens with a letter from the publisher and a Bible verse. If that's going to bother you, find another magazine.

This magazine has some nice techniques--smocking, heirloom sewing--but if you aren't sewing for children, then this IS NOT be the magazine for you. In the magazine in front of me, ONE article isn't about sewing for children or children's toys. The other issues have been the same. I'm cancelling my subscription today. It's not a bad magazine--it just isn't at all what I ws looking for.

If you are a Christian and want to sew heirloom stuff for your children or grandchildren, I would highly recommend it. The kids' clothes are cute if sometimes old-fashioned or impractical. The instructions are clear and well-illustrated. There is a free pattern in every issue--for children.

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I am enjoying my subscription to this magazine. I love looking at others creativity and getting inspiration from it to sew something I am proud of. The magazine is well put together and not overly full of advertising. I always look forward to getting it in the mail.

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