Inventors Digest

Inventor's Digest Magazine is currently the only major trade publication directed to the independent inventor. A great editorial staff provides solid information to assist inventors. A good resource to find qualified invention service providers to help the inventor through all stages, from idea to prototype, to patent, to product, to market. This magazine was there when I started inventing, over three decades ago.

Free Inquiry

Free Inquiry Magazine is published by the Council For Secular Humanism, whose stated goal is to educate and support "people who find meaning and value in life without looking to a god".

Given this, it is not surprising to say that the main focus of the magazine is on secular humanism issues and ideas. However, every issue has articles that really do apply to a much wider audience. They cover such general topics such as church-state separation, ethics and issues faced by any religious minority. I'm not surprised to find people referring to back issues for articles on various Supreme Court decisions or discrimination issues.

The magazine's editor is Paul Kurtz, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo and founder of Prometheus Books. With this kind of influence, I have always found the articles to be well written and logical. They also run the gambit from complex philosophical treaties to humorous op-ed essays.

Produced by the Council for Secular Humanism, Free Inquiry's mission statement is "to promote and nurture the good life life guided by reason and science, freed from the dogmas of god and state, inspired by compassion for fellow humans, and driven by the ideals of human freedom, happiness, and understanding."

Common topics include secular humanism, atheism, church-state issues, and the rights of religious minorities. A sampling of articles from their most recent issue (February/March 2005) is illustrative of their objective; stories include "Fundamentalist Power in America" (by James A. Haught), "Crime and Causality: Do Killers Deserve to Die?" (Thomas W. Clark), "Law Reform, or DIY Suicide" (Peter Singer); and Jihad in the Netherlands (courtesy of the brilliant and ballsy Christopher Hitchens). They post some of each issue's offerings on their web site, so be sure to check it out.

However, it's well worth the price to spring for a subscription, freebies or not. The articles are consistently well-written and thought-provoking, the topical selection varied yet absorbing. I usually read each new issue cover-to-cover within a week of arrival in my mailbox. Nor do old issues grow stale; it's the kind of magazine you can return to time and again. Hubby and I still have copies from the early `90s that we peruse on occasion!

If you want scholarly yet understandable discourse, sound logic, and in-depth research, Free Inquiry is the magazine for you! It's an excellent change of pace from some of the fluff that passes for news nowadays. Another outstanding option is Skeptical Inquirer, from the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). Skeptical Inquirer is quite similar to Free Inquiry (indeed, it's published by the same company and many of the contributors pull double duty), but with a narrower focus (it tends to focus on aliens, faith healers, miracles, and other "supernatural" nonsense).

Also, if you enjoy the magazine, you might also like their "Web Columns"; go to their web site for more details!

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FREE INQUIRY is published bimonthly by the Council for Secular Humanism. Sample article titles in the current issue (June/July 2004) are "The Religiosity of George W. Bush" and "From Regenerative Medicine to Human Design." Contributors include Christopher Hitchens, author and columnist, and Robert Price, a member of the Jesus Seminar. Other familiar names of secular humanists mentioned in the magazine are Edward O. Wilson, the late Sir Peter Ustinov, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and Gore Vidal.

The tone of a few of the articles can occasionally be quite strident in the style of a fundamentalist preacher. In these rare instances FREE INQUIRY reads like a journal for a rigid nontheistic religion. Fortunately this does not happen too often.On the inside of the front cover is a list of twenty-one humanistic principles endorsed by the Council for Secular Humanism. I am definitely not a secular humanist but I do believe in reading alternative viewpoints especially when they address several of the most important issues of the day.

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"Free Inquiry" is published bi-monthly by the Council for Secular Humanism, a nonprofit group dedicated to ushering in a "new enlightenment," which is a worldview that's based on rationality, science and good old fashioned learning. They contend that one can live a good, "moral" life without religion or other superstitions, so if you're a regular churchgoin' person, this is definitely not the magazine for you. Then again, maybe this is precisely the magazine for you if you're the type of regular churchgoin' person who wants the laws of the country to conform to whatever you think your god of choice is telling you they should be this week. If the concept of seperation of church and state is highly problematic for you, then you definitely need to be reading "Free Inquiry" from cover to cover--one might even say religiously! For those of us who are already hellbound heathens, FI is that friend that comes in your mailbox to tell you that no, you are not alone. Unlike an actual church, one doesn't need to agree with all its teachings, and in fact a variety of opinions are welcome.

The mastermind behind the council is Paul Kurtz, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Buffalo, and his vision informs the magazine as a whole. While you can tell he's no fan of Dubya, it would be a mistake to dismiss him, or FI, as hopelessly liberal. One of FI's regular, and most popular contributors, is Chrisopher Hitchens, the firebrand journalist who has taken on a far more libertarian bent of late. There's also longtime Village Voice columnist Nat Hentoff, whose political views are often frustratingly hard to decipher (he's strictly libertarian on free-speech issues, but he's also anti-choice and anti-euthanasia). Kurtz himself, while decrying the war in Iraq, can be described as somewhat conservative in his take on American culture. One recent FI editorial had him condemning current American pop culture as shallow, vulgar and wasteful (yes, Paul, and your point is...?). He even namechecked two films as evidence: "The Devil's Rejects" and "The Aristocrats" (two of my fave films of '05!) the latter being produced by Penn Jillette, one of the only true skeptics working in show business. Many regular FI readers of course strongly disagree with his tsk-tsking, and are not shy about telling him. So much for secular humanism being a "religion."

Of course, religion, or the merciless examination and debunking thereof, are the main focus of the magazine. Pretty much every December, readers can expect to find an article or two that focus a critical eye on the myths of Christmas and the contradictions contained in the Gospels. The continuing efforts of the Christian right to force creationism, or "intelligent design," into the nation's public schools has been covered quite thoroughly, with the anti-ID ruling in Dover receiving a cover story. Not wanting Muslim apostates to feel left out, FI also has Ibn Warraq (author of "Why I Am Not A Muslim") as a regular contributor. FI, it should be noted, was one of the few Ameerican publications to print any of the controversial cartoons of Mohammed that caused riots across the Muslim world. FI published just four of them, and even that was a source of disagreement among the magazine's staffers, some of whom felt it was disrepectful and unecessary to actually show the images. Compare this with the magazine published by American Atheists, which not only published all 12 of the cartoons, but also tacked on four REALLY offensive cartoons that even the Danish paper that commissioned them refused to run--heck, American Atheists even put one of the cartoons on it's flippin' cover! So while "Free Inquiry" is definitely no supporter of religious belief, they're also careful not to endorse ad hominem attacks, either.

In fact, the only real flaws I can find with FI is that it sometimes seems too academic for its own good. If they want to extend humanist thought and philosophy to the general public, they have to make greater effort to be more, well, populist. A greater sense of humor would help, too. Though regulars such as Hitchens, Wendy Kaminer and Natalie Angier are on the right track, many articles have the dry feel of a college symposium. If religion doesn't require you to have a degree in order to join in, then maybe the antidote shouldn't come across as a commandments from the top of an ivory tower. Oh, yeah, and subscribers can expect to regularly find donation requests in their mailbox, so keep that in mind. As long as the American theocracy lets you have a mind to keep.

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With religious fundamentalism on the rise, Free Inquiry is a breath of fresh air. Free Inquiry offers a secular viewpoint on the social issues of our time. Creation science, prayer in schools, euthanasia, abortion and reigious studies--all these issues and more are covered in this wonderful little mag.

Subscribe to Free Inquiry. I subscribe to several magazines and always look forward to getting this one the most.

Also recommended: How to Lose Your Faith in Divinity School

Spirituality & Health

Spirituality and Health is a bi-monthly magazine that reports on the ideas, the people, and the practices of the current spiritual renaissance.

Featuring reviews of books, DVD's, and music, as well as lively columns and interviews, Spiritual and Health Magazine explores the mind/body connection, healing, spiritual practice, science, psychology, and more.

Here is a sample of some of the articles featured in this magazine:

*Socrates' Seven Spiritual Principles

*The Healing Power of Doing Good: The New Science of Volunteering

*The Standford Forgivness Project

*Qi Vs. Cancer

*Lessons From Mindful Corporations.

*Recovering From Infidelity

*Classic Hymns Cut Through Dementia

*Spiritual Literacy in Wartime

*How Plants May Explain the Intelligence of Ants

Magazine departments include book and movie reviews, gorgeous art and photographic galleries, beliefs from all walks of life and faiths, commentary by Thomas Moore, and more. One of my favorite sections is What Goes On In There, Really? which examines different worship practices. They have profiled experiences like a Pentecostal Christian service, Dances of Universal Peace, Maundy Thursday in Baghdad, Friday Night Shabbat Service, Siddha Yoga Meditation Ashram, and Spotting Elves in Iceland.

I've been a subscriber for several years now, and once I sit down to begin reading Spiritual and Health Magazine, it's hard to get up! You never feel like you're preached at; rather, this magazine offers gentle observations on contemporary culture, ancient wisdom, science, healing, personal growth, new discoveries, and spirituality--with breathtaking color photographs placed throughout. This magazine is truly a visual feast, as well as food for the soul.

I picked up a copy of Spirituality & Health a couple of years ago at a bookstore and sent in the subscription card right away. This magazine is wonderful if you're looking for a magazine devoted to putting a spiritual perspective on life. This magazine covers everything; mind, body, and spirit, the total package. In the back there are also listings of upcoming events that the spiritually inclined may be interested in. I highly recommend this magazine, as I always catch myself saying to someone, "I just read this awesome article in Spirituality & Health..."

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After been loaned this issue of June 2004, by a committed, really

genuine Episcopalian, I was greatly impressed! These creative, unique articles captured my Imagination: "What is Power?" by Sam Keen; "Taking the First Step" by Anna Lappe`; "Accessing Sacred Energy," by Judith Orloff, MD; "The Making of a Chaplain" By Karen O'Brien (So like the pages of my earlier Verbatim in CPE).

"The Best Spiritual Books" are reviews of 50 out of 300 books by Fred and Mary Ann Brussat! We surely agreed on the first few named: "The Heart of Christianity" Marcus Borg; "Beyond Belief" Elaine Pagels; "The Wisdom Way of Knowing" Cynthia Bourgeault; ++

"The Lord is My Shepherd" Rabbi Kushner+ "The Power of Patience" by M J Ryan!

I am still in the whirlwind of those emotionally stimulating, artistically written articles on varied yet potent topics of food for Thought and Reflection. Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

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This magazine is, in my opinion, well thought out. The articles are interesting, relevant and well-written. Good photography. Quality paper. I enjoy reading it and look forward to reading it. Of all the magazines in our waiting room, more patients have had positive remarks on this magazine than any other. I just re-subscribed for my second year and quite pleased. Highly recommend.

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I have been reading this magazine for 3 years now and find it continually creative and insightful. The articles cover a broad range of physical and spiritual topics with clear subject matter. I highly recommend this for any age group. There is nothing offensive or patronizing. I was hooked after one month.

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Snowest

If you live in the Western half of America and you care less about what the snow is like in Maine or Newfoundland subscribe to this and be happy.

Western sled mag.

Amazing mag. Lots of up to date information on everything you are looking for pertaining to snowmobiling: Best machines, best places to go play. Lots of technical information and awesome stories to read. You won't regret subscribing to this magazine.

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This is the best snowmobiling publication that my husband and I have found. In addition to reviews of sleds and accessory recommendations, there are great articles about where to sled as well as lodging and dining information. It is worth the $.

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Catnip (1-year auto-renewal)

I have subscribed to Catnip for a number of years. The information (and especially that cats' reviews of products) has been wonderful. True, there may be some months that go by when there really isn't anything that pertains to my cat. But then the next issue comes out and it's exacly what I need -so I keep subscribing (and supporting) Catnip

Alot of times I hate auto-renewals....hard to stop...plus need to call someone and get a sales pitch. Amazon is easy....you get enough notice to cancel....with a click of a mouse you are cancelled and out of auto-renewal. Recommend.

Plus I love Catnip.

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I'm glad I subscribed to this magazine. It has a lot of useful articles in it. It has very little to no advertisements in it which is a plus. I am a cat lover and very happy with this purchase.

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I HAVE BEEN A CAT LOVER-OWNER & DO T&R FOR MANY YEARS. I FIND THIS PAPER A BLESSING. I KEEP EVERYONE FOR REFERENCE.

THEY ARE BOTH INFORMATIVE NEWSY GOOD ADVICE & TELL YOU WHETHER YOU SHOULD GET YOUR VET INVOLVED.

I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND ANYONE NOT ENJOYING & FINDING THIS BOTH INSPIRING & A NECESSARY MAGAZINE FOR CAT OWNERS,

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Catholic Family News

This Catholic newspaper is generally very good month in and month out. It carries a mixture of news, pious stories of the lives of the saints, Well documented scholarly articles, and an encycilical or papal letter from one of the popes in the last 1500 years or so usually round out the issue. This publication is an excellent way to help people of whatever background learn the Catholic Faith better.

This Catholic newspaper is an excellent source for pre-1960's great writings from the Church Fathers, Doctors of the Church, great Catholic writers, articles, papal encyclicals, and catechisms, from the year 100 to 1959. I say pre-1960's because since about that time, MANY Catholic writings have been corrupted and or tinged with hidden or open errors, which a Catholic that is not learned in what the Church taught for 1900 years will not discern. This publication is an educational tool to help those people of whatever background learn the Catholic Faith as it has always been. ST. VINCENT OF LERINS (400-450 A.D.)

"What then should a Catholic do ... if some new contagion

were to try to poison no longer a small part of the Church, but all of

the Church at the same time, then he will take the greatest care to

attach himself to antiquity which, obviously, can no longer be seduced

by any lying novelty." (Commonitorium)

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John Venarri is a freemason who has infiltrated the tradionalist movement. For the sole purpose to divide us. Think of this, a bishop said, ;We must abrogat Vatican 11. And then immediatly abrogate the council of Trent. Our lord said to Peter ;He who hears you, hears me, he who rejects you rejects me;.

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This magazine, while presumably well-intentioned, is a veritable font of misinformation to Catholics, especially traditional Catholics who are disturbed by the events in the Church since Vatican II. Unfortuantely, CFN sets Vatican II up as a "straw man"; the writers caricature the Council in the terms that many liberals would indeed have us believe, and then knock it down by saying it was not a valid Council. While it is quite unfortunate that many liberal Catholics have (deliberately or not) twisted the meanings of Vatican II, the Council IS valid. To believe otherwise is heresy. Many ads in this magazine are from schismatic groups such as SSPX, or sedevacantist groups like MICM. (It is not logical to say that the current Pope has no authority, and then to refer to Saint ("Padre") Pio as such when it is the current Pope who canonized him. This is done in the Sep. 2003 issue.) Please avoid this magazine, and seek out good Catholic media like EWTN (which is free).

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Simply Knitting

I've been buying knitting magazines for a year now and have finally decided that this is my absolute favorite! I like it because it has a very attractive lay out and a great variety of features. It is very down to earth with sections that focus on the readers: pen-pal ads, want ads, reader questions and photos of projects. There is always a really cute Alan Dart pattern of an animal, ornament or other toy. Debbie Bliss is also a regular pattern contributor. They have a good focus on building basic knitting skills with photos to help explain and a stitch library showing 3 new stitches to try. Interesting articles about knitting, past and present. They always review a groups of yarns in the same weight, as well as several books and websites. Lately there have been many US based websites reviewed. And you can't beat the fact that there is a gift with each issue...recent gifts include a pair of bamboo knitting needles, project clips to hold seams while you join, 3 ball yarn keeper/guide, a booklet of patterns for an Advent tree and 25 ornaments to make for it. Readers range in age from kids up to grannies. Pattern models tend to be babies, young children, older teens and gals in their 20s-40ish. Once you use the guide and glossary to get in English knitting mode, the patterns are not diffcult to understand and the print is color coded for different sizes and large enough to follow easily. Yes, the ads do focus on the British market, and the patterns use British yarns. They do however make the yarn weight and guide requirements very clear so you should be able to substitute fairly easily if you aren't using the suggested yarn. The patterns are often a new take on a classic form. And the variety is good: decorative items, ladies, childrens, mens, socks, bags, cushions, etc. If you are a knitter interested in the most trendy or difficult knits, this may not be for you. But if you knit for fun and fellowship, take a look!

I've now read 4 issues of this magazine and found several projects in each one. For beginners, the tutorials about the special techniques used in each project are especially helpful, and they make a quick review for more-experienced knitters. The 'learn to knit' section in the back of each issue is nearly as comprehensive as many standalone knitting-basics booklets. The projects in each issue's theme are generally diverse, with some patterns being attractive to more traditional or experienced knitters and others appealing to newer or more trend-conscious knitters.

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This magazine is worth the $$. The reason it's expensive is because it's from Britian but it's so worth the price. There is a new issue every month with a free gift. The magazine has something for every kind of knitter. Every issue has all kinds of knits that include accessories, baby items, adult clothing, dolls, tips and more. There are interesting articles every month that involve knitting for a great cause. What more can I say, except I love it!

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im a grandma now but i learned to knit at age 3. i have knitted and created and been proud of the beautiful things ive made for three generations. when i was young we had mccalls big magazine there was knitting world a lovely publication and workbasket a tiny book chock full of quality patterns. then knitting here in this country lost favor no one knits any more just us dinasaurs and a very few youngsters. patterns for toys at a time when imports are loaded with danger are almost non existant those that are available are sloppy garter stitch squares you sew together. sweaters are what i call unconstructed sloppy collars poorly designed. i had all but given up. then i found a simply knitting magazine at a garage sale i couldnt put it down. when i got to the alan dart pattern i was hooked. a real toy with shaped body expressive features actually had fingers and ears and a beard i found things for gifts and for the church sale i looked everywhere before finding a subscription here i paid very high single copy prices on e-bay. i have had a monthly delivery of this wonderful magazine for a year now. i can tell anyone who is thinking of the price do it. so its expensive, if you love to knit, if you want to learn, if you know how but havent knitted in ages because the available pattern books have been so poor that you havent made a thing in years, BUY THIS ONE!

you wont be sorry. if you dont keep patterns you can resell each copy for more than you paid if you find another disallusioned knitter. but you will keep each issue and if there is a child close to you alan dart toys are to die for. i could type praise for hours but my latest issue just arrived and there are at least 8 patterns i need to make. two beautiful dolls to make and a water bottle cozy three sweaters all beautiful and 2 needle socks and a scarf. so much to do so little time. and a free measuring tape this issue.

i sure wish this country would offer knitting magazines again but for now im with the brits they have the most wonderful patterns.

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I found this in a bookstore, but am seriously considering a subscription despite the high cost in the US. It is definitely worth the price tag the free gifts alone would be valued at about half the cost. The March '08 issue has a wonderful purse clasp with very clear instructions on how to make an adorable purse. Watch out for the different terminology that is used in the UK, especially with crochet. (Yes, there is a bit of crochet included, but don't worry if you don't like to crochet it's minimal for edgings and such.) Simply Knitting also uses higher quality and larger paper very pretty and nice to handle.

Shooting Illustrated

This is an excellent magazine at an exceptional price. Very good reviews and articles. I doubt that there is any profit being made, but if the NRA can manage to make a profit on this magazine .... more power to them. They deserve it! If you are not a member of the NRA I would please beg of you to join ASAP. Our 2nd Amendment rights are being challenged by politicians everyday and the NRA stays on top of it. It will be the best $25.00 you ever spent!

BJ Schmidt

I would like to see this magazine offered electronically. Searched but could not find anything out there. Enjoy reading it.

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Articles intéressants, prix raisonnable.. Cependant, ici au Canada, changer l'adresse de réception n'est pas facile.. pour ce faire facilement par internet, il faut être membre de la nra pour avoir un # de membre. Sinon, on es laissé à nous-même. J'ai envoyé une lettre à la rédaction et j'attends toujours la réponse..

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I made my order in Feb and it is the middle of June already and I have nothing to show for it. DONT BUY. I have contacted and called. Even the e-mail that they update me with today has absolutley no genuine apology. It just says they will be resending a copy of May. WHY WOULD I WANT MAY's ISSUE now??...Dont waste time or money.

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Colors - French Edition

Yes, this magazine is published by Benneton. Yes, the people who sell clothes that are fashionable but only fit people who are anorexic.

The concept of the magazine is "a magazine about the rest of the world". A hard promise, but it delivers. Each issue addresses one topic with excellent pictures and writing in two languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian). The topics have included: teenagers, family, Buddhist prayers, water, touch, race, mamma, etc.

The writing is sympathetic and informative. The pictures and graphics are eye-opening and sometimes shocking. Ads are minimal and are not usually mixed with the content. There is always a section where you can get more information.

Also, COLORS changes with the times. It occasionally comes in different sizes, occasionally it has come with two magazine in one issue and other variations. The latest issue (teenagers) has codes that you hold up to your computer camera when you are on their website and see the pictures come to life on your computer screen and hear the people in the pictures giving you more information about their lives.

I don't think that you save anything by buying a subscription. I got it because after reading this magazine for almost 20 years, I still don't want to miss a single issue. I can usually find it in the big-box bookstores, but I have missed a few that way.

Enjoy!

the magazine is as good as you can imagine--each issue on a different subject, beautifully designed and written and bilingual, but you are lucky if you will get the magazine months after they send it from Italy --if you get it at all. They won't send them by air and they don't seem to sell them in stores unfortunately.

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Heat - En

When I was living in London last year I randomly came upon heat and was INSTANTLY addicted. My flatmates and I would go back and forth between buying it week after week. I couldn't wait for Tuesday to role around so I could get the next issue. heat not only has great paparrazi photos, but it's hilarious. Whoever the writers are, they're genius. I love the sense of humor and teasing of celebrities. I especially love that they don't validate celebs for getting increasingly skinny and unhealthy, such as every American counterpart does.

Heat has got to be the best goss magazine ever! I've never really enjoyed People or any of those crap American magazines at the checkout of virtually every supermarket. Brit celebs are so much more interesting! After my very first issue, I was hooked. The pics, the gossip, the headlines, the stories.....I read it cover-to-cover in one sitting! And I wanted MORE! Heat, you just cannot put down. Once I get a new issue, I don't even know where to start. There are so many juicy headlines...which one do I read first? Then I have to wait an entire week until I can get my hands on the next one.....

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Without a doubt the best weekly magazine in the UK. Possibly even good enough to rival US 'People' magazine! It contains celebrity stories, celebrity interviews, style tips, humorous articles and pictures and reviews of the latest movies, music and books. Not to mention a weekly tv guide with digital channels included.

In short, a magazine NOT to be missed!

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a british weekly gossip multi-award wining magazine with and well a deserved one at that!

If you love your shallow pop and tv gossip buy heat! All the other British gossip magazines are copying but to no avail will they best HEAT !

Buy if you esp love: reality tv (big brother, pop idol etc), david beckham, posh spice and eastenders!

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