Sandra Knitting - English ed

This was a renewal of a magazine subscription purchased as a gift for my wife. She was thrilled to receive the first year issues, and requested the renewal. She is saving all of the issues so that she can review the patterns again as she has time to plan her future knitting efforts. A real good investment for knitting enthusiasts. Could have given a 5-star rating if the price was a little lower, but no complaints about the value.

"Sandra" has been one of my favorite knitting magazines since I started buying it. I like the instructions, they are very clear and easy to understand, and the designs are very nice.

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The knitting directions are very easy and come with charts. I highly recommend if you are a knitter, to check out this magazine. They have great patterns that are chic and stylish.

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Petfood Industry

"Petfood Industry" is the magazine for professional petfood formulators, chemists, manufacturers, and distributors. It may also appeal to some specialized veterinarians, especially veterinary nutritional researchers.

Typical issues cover current events in the petfood world, including upcoming conferences and meetings, as well as discussions and debates on petfood absorbency and manufacture. For manufacturers, a full spectrum of information is provided on issues such as petfood extrusion, including the pros and cons of the four basic types of extruders. Issues such as preparation of full-fat soybean meal, recycling of wet animal byproducts, and new methods of quality control are also discussed at length.

I am also pleased that the magazine doesn't shy away from extremely controversial issues in the petfood industry, such as the raging debate over ethoxyquin, which epitomizes the "synthetic versus natural" chasm that has emerged in the industry. This speaks well for the editorial honesty of the publication.

I gave the magazine four stars overall for several reasons. It is definitely the premier publication in the commercial petfood industry, but while the quality of the articles is superb, the quantity of advertisements is sometimes rather daunting. As a small quibble, I (and at least a few others) still prefer that petfood be spelled in the more conventional manner "pet food," which is more grammatically correct, though not quite as appealing from a marketing standpoint.

Overall this is an excellent magazine, and provides all viewpoints on current topics in the petfood industry.

First Glimpse

From the title of this magazine, one would expect to see how consumer electronics are being integrated into our everyday lives. I expected Martha Stewart Living cum Stereo Review. But that is not what one gets here. What one gets is a drier version of Stereo Review that covers cell phones, computers, and other wired and wireless technologies along with stereos.

Each issue of the magazine highlights several consumer electronic products. An article includes the latest innovations for a given product and compares the pros and cons of the different features of products in that group. That article is then followed by tip sheets on how to maximize the use of specific, selected name-brand products in that area.

By example, the March 2005 issue has an overview article on wireless telephones that compares, in general terms, the different features available. Seven specific phone models are then featured individually with how-to instructions on maximizing the features.

This magazine might be useful for readers seeking specific information for given products and models, but the casual reader will likely find it off-target and not applicable. The writing style is for the average consumer and thus lacks the depth to excite die-hard electronics wizards who seek the specs and details they seek.

Overall, this magazine needs an overhaul. It's title is terribly misleading as there is scant discussion of lifestyle. Its format and layout look very much like a consumer catalog. I almost threw it away without opening it. There is likely a market for much of the information provided in this magazine, but here it is very unfocused. Perhaps a series of special issues or books may be better vehicles to provide this information.

Plaza Magazine - Swedish Edition

The most stylish, elegant magazine I ever have seen. From modern interior to cool fashion. I saw it first in Sweden and then in New York. If you like to see the latest, check it out. I loved the magazine so much I sent a letter to the publisher Mr. Christopher Östlund and gave him my credit. But as uisusal, check it out your self...

Circus Report

This is a small, mostly 2-color magazine that has become the organ for news, gossip, routes, and communication among America's circus culture . . . including performers, crew, producers, and fans. It's small, but it has a big punch and if you are a circus fan, you won't be disappointed!

Circus Report is hands-down THE publication to read if you want to stay on top of the news in the circus industry. Excellent!

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Men's Journal (1-year)

Men's Journal is a decent magazine full of varied topics of interest to men. This magazine covers areas like sports, adventure travel, fashion and style, cars and trucks, career issues, etc. This publication directs all of its articles toward men, with an emphasis on what is most appealing to males throughout a typical week in their lives.

One thing about Men's Journal that is a little different from other men's magazines is that it doesn't flaunt women to sell its issues. In fact, there are practically no pictures of women at all in this publicationsomething that will be considered an asset to some, and a liability to others. This magazine refuses to play the female card and instead focuses its articles on topics that men like to read about.

Men's Journal is often obsessed with lists, and I think this is especially true in the last few years. Take a look at the cover of most issues and you will see a large, boldface advertisement for some sort of list. In one issue, it might be a ranking of the best cities for entry level jobs. In another issue, it might be a listing of the best places for young entrepreneurs. Whatever it might be, Men's Journal seems to have an infatuation with lists, probably because men like lists and it helps increase sales.

This magazine can be counted on to produce some fairly good reading, but I must warn that many of the articles are a little too simplistic, with little emphasis on intellectualism. Even the articles about politics and business are often riddled with obvious statements that most anyone would know. But overall, I still think Men's Journal is a good magazine. It is varied enough that most anyone will find something interesting to read and the price is very low.

This is a great magazine to highlight the fun places to go, things to do and things to own. It is not highbrow with big book excerpts, nor is is lowbrow with a bunch of buxom women all over the magazine.

This is a magazine for active, athletic and adventurous men. There are 1 or 2 interesting articles about travel or adventure in each issue along with a feature article on varying topics from contributing writers. There are always good features on health and fitness tips. Lastly, the magazine highlights sports gear, fashion and gadgets.

It is a fun, light (usually) magazine that I look forward to receiving each month.

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Don't get me wrong, occasionally there are issues I still read cover to cover, but it seems as though MJ has gone through a change lately. Gone is the focus of travel and fantastic adventure writing. Now the focus seems to be health, fitness and diet. I used to buy Men's Health magazine for those topics. If I wanted that focus I would continue to buy MH. There is no longer a consistent reason to read MJ on a regular basis anymore. Man, I miss the old MJ!

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If Men's Health a main competitor of the magazine here under review strikes you as pandering to the average guy's baser instincts, you'll want to check out Men's Journal.

The tag line to this magazine's name reads 'Adventure Life'. That's a pretty good shot at the content, since it takes your average young rich guy's (or no-longer-young-in-the-mirror rich guy's) desires to live a little on the wild side and decks them out in luxury opportunities to do just that.

The writing is surprisingly good. We're not talking the Atlantic Monthly here, but recent issues have easy-on-the-eyes features on the crisis in Darfur, the late Aussie croc-wrestler Steve Irwin, and the down-in-the-mouth financial situation of our National Parks system.

Like most magazines of the genre, the gloss, paper quality, and color make this an easy read in an airplane seat or an easy chair: Men's Journal is pleasant to the touch, good for some mild distraction, and leaves no bitter aftertaste.

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Men's Journal has gotta be one of the best deals in the whole wide world of magazines. For 10 bucks you get wonderful photography, health tips, product reviews of cool stuff you'll covet, smart writing and, of course, regular features by that greatest of American ink-spillers, Jim Harrison. Heck, if they just photo copied the Harrison pieces and sent them to me in a plain white envelope, ten bucks would still be a screaming deal. However, I still dig the fashion spreads, the book notes and the travel writing. There is a consistant sense of adventure, curiosity and life well lived in this magazine, which is why it should earn a spot on your coffee table. Did I mention it's only ten bucks?

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Digital Camera Magazine - Incls CD-Rom

I concur w/ the prev. reviewer. Forget the American mags, they are either full of advertisements or they are for elitist pompous professionals who want to show off their work and make snooty comments. Digital Camera mag is great for the novice and intermediate level photographers out there who want to learn how to take great shots. They give you simple, hands-on instructions in photoshop or out in the field and how to improve YOUR photos. Sometimes they give you a cheap DIY option vs. other mag's telling you that you need to buy such and such to achieve an effect. Oh, can't forget the FREE CD PShop TUTORIALS!! Gorgeous photo spreads from other amateurs, articles about professional photographers, monthly photo contests, relevant information, friendly to the reader, and not condescending at all (like most of the camera mags out there). And yes, near the end of the mag they talk about up and coming gadgets but that's in the back where it belongs. ^_^ If you just picked up a digital SLR and want to know more about how to get the most out of it. BUY THIS MAG!!!!

Just the finest photography magazine on the market. Not filled with ads and ratings, but great how to's and tutorials. If I could read only one mag, this would be it.

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Very practical and very useful magazine from England and well worth the big price especially since you get a dvd tutorial with the mad every month

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I had subscriptions to most of the American zines. About the only thing learned = what new cameras had been recently released, and even then, the writing style is akin to cheerleading rather than need-to-know info like noise and image quality. I cancelled them all, and instead started making monthly treks to my local newsstand for this and other UK zines. Simply stated, I learn more per issue than I do reading full books on whatever topic. One issue may be devoted to landscapes, another to macros, flowers, sunsets, etc. If you genuinely want to learn how to improve your photography, THIS is your key.

BTW, do NOT think this is all about dSLRs only. While I do have a dSLR, I also have a pocket-friendly Fuji e900 digicam (replacing an FZ50, which itself was replaced with a dSLR). The e900 has multiple dSLR-like controls. This zine teaches what control to change to get which effect in a particular circumstance, so it's also manna for those with digicams sporting an aperture/speed control dial mode, as well as white balance, exposure compensation and other tweaking controls.

It's admittedly a big chunk out of your wallet in one step, but turns out, it's the best bang for the buck long term.

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I have bought the magazine from a local book store and there is no doubt this is the best photo & Photoshop mag ever. The subscription however sucks!!! I paid on July 2nd it is now Nov.9th over 18 weeks later come on!!! Really? It would get here quicker if you just stick it in a bottle and throw it in the Atlantic. If you can't get the subscription right perhaps I'll just buy it at the store every now and then.

Blood-Horse

"The Blood-Horse" covers more international racing news than its weekly rival, "Thoroughbred Times," but usually only the group 1 races in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, and Dubai. There would be no South American coverage at all if trainer Ron McAnally didn't take the occasional trip down south and skim off the cream of the crop, e.g. Candy Ride and Pasaena, and return triumphant to California.

The 'stakes winners' section in "The Blood Horse" is much more readable than the stakes results in "Thoroughbred Times." All of the graded stakes are covered in depth. The stakes conditions are listed, along with the order of finish. There are several paragraphs on the winner and (usually) his/her breeding background, a complete race record of the winner, a four-generation pedigree, the sire's racing and breeding statistics, and the dam's racing, breeding, and sales statistics. This is a very satisfying ten or so pages for those of us that like to pore over Thoroughbred genealogies. Non-graded stakes are covered in less detail.

Steve Haskin, one of the best writers in the Thoroughbred business has a weekly column, usually on New York stakes results, although in my most current issue his byline is attached to "This Businessman is Special," an article on trainer Todd Pletcher who "recently shattered Syl Veitch's all-time record for victories at a Saratoga meeting." Haskin also does a long-running series on the Kentucky Derby contenders each spring.

(Speaking of Todd Pletcher, why do so many good Thoroughbred trainers seem to have prematurely white hair? Does it come from all those photo finishes, or from all of those promising young horses who never do anything on the track?)

Along with the lead article on Pletcher, the 09/13/2003 issue of this magazine has features on the installation of slot machines at Louisiana Downs, news and analysis of several Fall yearling sales, "Triple Crown Showdown"--a look back at the Marlboro Cup that pitted Seattle Slew against Affirmed, and an article on leading owner Michael Gill. Shorter 'dispatches' cover such topics as the California recall election (evidently Governor Gray Davis has vetoed several bills of interest to Thoroughbred owners), and the recently released book, "Why America Slept" that ties a deceased Saudi Thoroughbred owner with the 9/11 terrorists.

Here is a sampling of some of the standard lists/departments in each issue of "The Blood-Horse:" "Healthwatch;" "Leading Sires of 2003;" "Leading Freshman Sires;" "Stud News;" "What's Going on Here" and "Final Turn" (editorials); "Sales Results;" and "Newcomers."

This weekly magazine is printed on slick paper and the photos (even the ones in the advertisements) are gorgeous. Subscribers also get lots of extra reading material, including special Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup issues, the yearly Stallion Registry, and "Stakes Conditions."

For living in a state where finding someone who enjoys horse racing as much as I do is about as easy as trying to find a needle in a haystack. This magazine has helped me stay in touch with racing around the country. It tells me the results of each weeks races, and makes it easy to follow a horse and trainer. I have attempted to read The Thoroughbred Times on a few occassions, and perhaps its just the size of the magazine which has kept me from ever fully reading an issue. However, every issue of The Blood-Horse I can get my hands on, I have read cover to cover.

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The Blood Horse is an absolute must for race horse fans. The coverage of all major stake and prep races is beyond compare. The photography is wonderful! I especially like the coverage of all the breeders cup and triple crown races. The extras included with the subscription are a plus, such as the book of sires that is published once a year with stud fees and progency. Every issue has a feature articule that covers a different aspect of racing. The best $90 you will ever spend on a magazine subscription. A must if you own or are thinking of owning a race horse.

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While this is one of only a few periodicals on thoroughbreds still being published, it is a quality product in its own right.

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If you have any interest at all about Thoroughbred racing & breeding, this weekly magazine is for you.

The Blood-Horse has an excellent layout, beginning with several pages of photos and general interest items that are in a newspaper-styled format. The magazine then drives into several weekly features, including sire listings for the year and an editorial, along with a lengthy story that covers one segment of the industry.

The recaps from tracks are extensive, with an emphasis on the breeding angle. The last-page editorial is hit-and-miss, but more times than not interesting.

Magazine subscribers are also updated through a daily, on-line service. There are several additional magazines/books that come with the subscription.

With Thoroughbred coverage almost non-existent in other sports publications, The Blood-Horse is a fantastic source from gate-to-wire.

Vanidades

A mi me encanta esta revista para practicar el espanol que aprendi en la escuela.

What I like about this magazine is that it's light, mindless reading that helps me keep up on my Spanish, especially slang. I try to get into books but I'm not hispanic and often can't relate to the stories. People en Espanol is a bit over the top in the check-out-your-brain department. Vanidades at least has some decent articles that I sometimes read to my son, like stories about Thomas Edison or other historical figures. I've tought my son to speak and read spanish as well and reading is an awesome tool to help me keep up on vocabulary. Bummer about the person that got spammed by this mag. I wish they'd spam me so I could get it for free!

I subscribe to this magazine for my 89 year old Mamá. She enjoys, loves Vanidades en español. She looks forward in reading Vanidades every single month. She reads it from front to back every single pagina.

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Let me clarify: I am not a Spanish language speaker. Yet, suddenly I started receiving Vanidades magazine without making a subscription. Even worse, soon followed unsolicited subscriptions to Spanish Cosmopolitan and TvyNovelas. I discourage you to make a subscription, this magazine (or any of the others) is not worth your time their spamming practices are unacceptable.

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