Wine Spectator (1-year auto-renewal)

Wine Spectator is the most prominent and widely available wine criticism magazine and as such it has been endlessly pilloried. Well, they deserve it one recent issue's cover story was "Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman, Hollywood Power Couple!" How ridiculous can you get? The pages are littered with articles devoted to wealthy Californians and their extensive cellars; one recently spent an entire article on a rich man who helps his rich friends by cataloguing their cellars on, gasp, a spreadsheet! Yeah, it's like that.

Wine Spectator has also been criticized for the way it uses hyperbole to the extent that no one believes them when they're right anymore. Oenophiles now wait for Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) to back them up before believing it. "Best Vintage since 1961" and "Vintage of the Century" and "Vintage of the Decade" are far too common copy, coming once a year or so.

The vintner profiles hold some interest, but don't fool yourself, you read this magazine for the scoring. Wine Spectator has the resources to taste more wines than any other English language publication (that I know of) and despite some strange results, are generally good at evaluating the bottles in question. As I've noted elsewhere, in spite of the hyperbolic headlines, the Spectator is stingier than Robert Parker for rating wines "Outstanding." The caveat is that a lot of wines get bunched up in the 84-86 point range, although I suppose that matches my experience.

By comparison to the Wine Advocate, I find Wine Spectator scores much more inconsistent. This makes sense because the Spectator has a larger staff and it's difficult to establish a common benchmark across all of the offices and tasting panels. In their favor, they do review a fair number of lower priced wines, more than their aforementioned colleague, and their reactions are more or less in the ballpark as to where I'd put them if I were doing the reviews. But know when using the Spectator to allow some give on either side, a confidence interval, if you will.

It might be terrible that a magazine wastes its first three quarters of every issue on mindless fodder for social climbers. It might be tasteless that they spend so much time promoting the notion that wine is an investment, instead of an immensely enjoyable consumable commodity. But those of us with big brains and modest credit ratings know that there is much to be salvaged from the back of each issue. We also know that Parker is the first point of reference.

There's certainly a lot to hate about Wine Spectator and, for that matter, Wine Advocate. Many winemakers decry the existence of both magazines, and usually lay the blame entirely at Robert Parker's doorstep for making the 100-point rating system an industry standard.

Wine Spectator's scores have gotten better with time, as have their articles. They've shied away from California "glitz" and have looked more into food. Also, the education classes that they list on their website are becoming increasingly more helpful.

Apparently they listened to much of the criticism and worked toward creating a more respected magazine. I think they've done well.

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The Wine Spectator is one of those magazines designed to reassure you that you're rich or that you soon could be, all in the context of a shared love for the fruit of the vine.

There's lots of deadly serious material in this glossy, pleasing publication. But if you're a lover of wine who is *not* rich the category includes this reviewer you need to learn to take it with a sense of humor. Just enjoy the game.

That game includes a travelogue of the world's wine regions as well as the possibility of gaining a decent education via month-by-month reading in viticulture and wine appreciation itself. This reader is in it for the long haul I hope to enjoy good wine at an affordable cost for the duration of this earthly slog and the Wine Spectator is my companion along the way.

My job takes me out for many dinners in various parts of the world that include wine-splendored places like France, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and of course Northern California. But with wineries now in 49 of the USA's fifty states, what's *not* a wine region these days?

On those business treks, I find myself out for dinner as often as not. It's personally satisfying to know just enough to order a Pinotage in Capetown, since only South Africa produces this varietal, or to opt for one of Argentina's persuasive Malbecs because they're just *that* good. We're not talking wine snobbery here, just satisfaction at the margins of life's all too margin-less journeys.

If this sounds like your game, the Wine Spectator may be a worthwhile investment. Even if not, consider splitting a subscription with a colleague. That's what I do. At half the price, I get a fine magazine and avoid burdening my bookshelves with one more heavy, beautiful, pleasant magazine. Life can deal you worse.

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The fact is that Wine Spectator is about the most inconsistant, beholden to special interest, pseudo-wine magazine ever! Their reviews are indeed gushing...I challange anyone to find a single negative comment. They say tastings are blind and comments are registered before the bottles are revealed so I would like to know how they consistantly come up with bottle-specific comments like, "this is a good Grange, but not quite up to the standards of previous vintages." ...Tasting is also done by panal highlighting another weakness: Usually, you can learn the palate and preferences of a particular reviewer, compare them to your own, and weight that person's ratings accordingly...here you have no idea which so-called 'experts' have reviewed a particular wine, so this tool is lost. Additionally, none of the WS reciewers, to my knowledge, posesses either a 'Master of Wines' or a 'Master Sommielier' certification. While extremely difficult to earn (Robert Parker has failed the MoW test twice), either should be a prerequisite for a professed expert (or at least one of them). For real wine enthusiasts, subscribe to decanter; for the more casual drinker, food&wine presents a much better value.

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I subscribed to WS for a couple years in the late 90s, and loved the magazine. It keeps a balance between reviews of wines both new (which is the main emphasis) and older vintages, and background stories on vintners and so on. The writers are almost all very good (and I'm a professional writer myself) -only one of them do I dislike and he doesn't review the wines. Both the wine connoisseur and the novice can profit from reading this publication. I only dropped the subscription because I moved and the collection, no issue of which I wished to discard, was occupying more and more space on my bookshelves.

Now I subscribe to the online edition so I can check ratings before I buy a wine. The WS, in addition to Parker and other reviewers, perform an essential service for critical consumers who can't otherwise judge whether a bottle is worth the price asked. And we need WS and Parker and all to tell us when the best reds are ready to drink -some really great ones are not mature for more than a decade. I drank the highly rated Chateau Canon 1982, for which I'd paid over $100, 17 years after harvest, and my group could tell it wasn't ready -still closed down. Sure enough, if I had read Spectator carefully, I'd have picked another bottle for that occasion because they said it wasn't yet mature.

Robert Parker has the reputation for being more influential for high-end wines, but Wine Spectator's scores are generally pretty close to his. And they review a broader spectrum, as noted by other commentators below. WS will often steer you to excellent buys for under $15, or even under $10. If you get only one of these per month, or steers you away from a very overpriced bottle, the subscription (about $50) pays for itself.

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Elle Decor (1-year auto-renewal)

Elle Decor is my favorite interior design magazine, along with House Beautiful--I team-teach interior design to adults and am always looking for stylish rooms, the latest design trends, and beautiful images to share with the class. Elle Decor delivers. I anticipate its arrival each month. The magazine is great for training your eye as to what's interesting, stylish and beautiful in today's design world. If you are wanting to update any tired and boring rooms in your home, or rooms you're bored with, it's great for showing you what's new or being reinterpreted in a fresh way. Then you can pick and choose what appeals to you.

Taste is about exposure and Elle Decor exposes you to what top designers are doing today so you can incorporate the elements you like in your own home. It features all kinds of rooms and styles in diverse colors from monochromatic to bright colors. One great exercise is to challenge yourself to find something you like in each room even if you don't particularly like a room--it can be a lamp, a rug, a pillow, or piece of art, but you begin articulating and stretching your taste. If you're looking for fresh, sophisticated, interesting design, consider a subscription.

A stunning magazine full of lush, modern rooms. Yes, there is little here that the average person can afford, but I don't want a design magazine that looks like a Pottery Barn catalog.I look at a design magazine for inspiration, and I read Elle Decor from cover to cover, including the ads.Many of the rooms are bursting with color. I find all kinds of ideas for accessorizing my house even though my budget is limited.If you have ever wondered how to put together all the items you've bought over the years in a way that pleases the eye, read Elle Decor!

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I was a Metropolitan Home subscriber, and as an artist, I enjoyed the color, variety, and design influences in the magazine. When the publisher ceased Met Home, they gave me the remainder of my subscription in Elle Decor. Beige, ecru, eggshell, dull and traditional. No thanks. I think they killed the wrong magazine.

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Had high hopes but this magazine was mostly pictures of over decorated designer homes. Very few prices listed or where you can buy it, just 1-800 numbers to call and order. The few prices they list are like 6 grand for an end table. The only articles were about designers lives not about decorating. Just wasn't for me.

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Elle Decor simply the best. Wonderful, eclectic decor sophisticated, original, beautiful, always. Inspirational, thoughtful. The best American decorating magazine.

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HOW Magazine (1-year)

This would be a great magazine for someone who either owns thier own design business, a pro freelancer or an art director who is high up on the food chain in an agency. Not very good for an entry-level design student such as myself. This magazine is first and foremost about the business of graphic design: how to promote your business, attract and retain clients, how to deal with a team of designers.

There are very little, if any, how-to's or design theory covered in this magazine. There isnt even much in the way of showing off of good design examples. Only some examples of "best-of" works that you have to really search for, and there isnt much in the way of advanced critiques of said works.

The "Guide To Self-Promotion" special section for subscribers was probably most benificial for me, because there was a nice little section on resume's and interview tips. However, you will find that most of that info can be found for free on the internet anyways.

As with many other reviewers, I'm a tad disgruntled at shelling out $29.99 for a bi-monthly magazine, 70% of which contains advertisments for different stock-image houses and specialty paper manufacturers. It is very difficult to "flip" though this magazine as every 10 pages or so you will find a paper manufacturer's ad printed on a thick card-stock sample. It is hard to stay concentrated on reading the articles when you are constantly fighting and struggling with the pages to stay open and flat.

I have been buying copies of this magazine in New York City newsstands for years now. I think the first one I picked up was because it contained listings for graphics compatitions. But, I was an evolving graphic artist in Rochester, NY ... educated in Architecture, and teaching myself the rest of what would become my career Graphic Design. Pen & Ink, masking, layouts, the evolution of a logo design ... all the techniques and steps laid out in feature articles which focused on the work of an individual or design studio at the top of their game. And in between were the articles on how to negotiate a contract, how to present your ideas to a client .. how to GET clients.

It's full of images ... less talk. We are, afterall, visual artists and know we learn best through what we see.

This is a worthwhile magazine to get. You'll find something useful every issue.

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HOW is very practically-oriented, not a lot of "look at us, we're graphic designers" [junk] you see in other graphic design magazines. Self-importance is out. Information-importance is in. Each issue has loads of sage advice, and it's all very understandable to all designers, novice to Madison Aveenue.

Great magazine for all graphic designers.

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This magazine really fills the voids that design school leaves behind. I have developed some serious guts in fighting for what I am worth due to this publication. When you are a new designer, you get taken advantage of frequently. College did not prepare me to stand up for myself in this competitive market, and this magazine not only keeps you up-to-date with the latest in the design realm, but also serves as a gutsy, motivational read as well. This is a must have subscription for budding designers. What a relief to read a killer design publication from the midwest!

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I believe that this magazine is a must have for any designer. Especially those that are new to the field. I am a student and I read this magazine from cover to cover and feel that it covers all aspects of the business well. It is written so that even the beginner can understand all of the aspects and use the ideas in their everyday work/projects. I think that this magazine is one of the best references for graphic design on the market that I have found.

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Antique Trader (1-year)

This magazine is published 43 times a year, with anywhere from 48 to 64 pages per issue. Many of the issues hold exclusive excerpts from Krause Publications antiques and collectibles books on subjects like depression glass, vintage fishing lures, Hummel figurines, Santa dolls ... the list goes on and on. Regular columns appear on fine art, the antiques market, antique furniture, free subscriber appraisals, antique dolls, silver care, letters to the editor and more! As well as relevant news on antiques and collectibles. The Antique Trader website has a free magazine sample (in PDF format) available for download on their homepage.

Makes me want to go to an estate sale, flea market, boot sale etc. I did find out about an antique clock that I received, the clock is worth more than I thought.

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This is my favorite antiques magazine because it's different than any other tons of research, news and smart, funny columns. It has cool features on really unusual antiques like glasshouse whimsies, Scalp Level School art and industrial antiques. This is for people who are interested in collecting, selling and decorating with antiques. It is much different now than it was in 2005 and is a really fun read!

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Mainly all ads, not very much content on or about antiques as bragged about.

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I'm a little disappointed I purchased this for my dad for father's day I thought it was a magazine but it's actually a 6 page flyer with 3 holes on the side to put in a binder. I just think it's a little pricey for a flyer but he said he enjoys it and the information is good.

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Woodwork

I'm a current subscriber to Woodwork. I own almost every issue

since it was first published, and I've read most of them cover

to cover. I have subscribed to and read many issues of FWW, Wood,

Shopnotes, & WoodSmith. I've also read many of the other woodwork

magazines on the market. For me, Woodwork stands alone!

Yes, Woodwork leans toward an environmental consciousness and

reminds us that wood is a precious, potentially non-renewable

resource. Is that bad?

And, they interview and highlight studio woodworkers

almost as frequently as they do traditional craftsman.

Sometimes I like what I see, sometimes not.

But, through Woodwork, I've "met" some of the best craftspeople alive.

Each month highlights one particular artisan -sometimes it's

a traditional craftsman, sometimes a Studio Artist -and an

in-depth interview is provided. There's usually a sidebar where

the featured individual teaches how they do what they do. It's

like having being tutored by a master without the cost.

Occassionally, a contributor's style is too ethereal for me.

But, mainly the writing is solid, educational, and personal.

Most important, Woodwork doesn't repeat the same stuff on a

regular cycle. When you look at other magazines over time, they

will run through the same topic repeatedly -either once a year

or once every two years. Woodwork is always new and fresh. Maybe

it's not always something I'm interested in, but it's rarely

disappointing and never simply a rehash.

Woodwork is by far the hardest woodworking magazine to pin down to a single approach. Just when you think they have no interest in power tools an article on making your own magnetic switches appear. Just when you think it's about studio furniture a long detailed article on building a workbench appears. Then an article on harps shows up, or the nature of wood, or a Japanese sculpture.

Despite all this eclecticism the undertone is about serious woodwork, whether it be about musical instruments, chairs or that amazing workbench. Articles are solid and information packed tending toward the philosophical even while providing practical information. There is only one other magazine that sets as high a standard for content (Fine Woodworking), and nothing attempts the bread of coverage that Woodwork does.

Somehow I feel smarter after after reading an issue. I know a bit more about the field, I've looked at photos full of intriguing designs, and I've picked up a technique or two. If you are actively interested in woodworking, as a student, tyro, or educator this is an excellent resource. I don't expect to be throwing away old issues any time soon.

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This magazine is gorgeous. The quality and artistry of the work they show is always the best that can be found, and they illustrate how woodworking can be more than just "making sawdust". This is for craftspeople who really care about their work. It's like fine woodworking with more information about the actual artists and a bit less about the mechanics. The West Coast woodcraft scene at its best this magazine always inspires me.

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I have a love/hate relationship with this publication. They some times have wonderful articles---fantastic how-to articles that explain things exceptionally well. Great interviews with artists and crafts people.

Other times the articles stink so bad that my dog starts liking his butt just for a change in smell. For example, they had this three page spread about the design of sanding blocks. It was as if someone was trying to earn a doctorate in the world's most arcane subject.

But, hands down, they have the best section that showcases the work of craftsmen and artisans. When I get the magazine, that is the first section I always turn to.

Beware, my subscription always arrived several days and often weeks, after this showed up on newsstands.

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Scale Aviation Modeller International

Excelent aircraft modeling magazine. It features new products, reviews of new models, new books, and a featured aircraft in each issue. The featured aircraft has color profiles, scale plans, and a list of kits with accesories.

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Orlando Style Magazine

Orlando Style Magazine is by far the best publication in Orlando. It compares to major fashion and style magazines in the nation and we would say sometimes even leading them. Great articles and fantastic photography!

We love Orlando Style.

Aci Materials Journal

I would like to thank ACI to have all this amount of information for students,prophesors and industrial, for me ACI my guidness in my Ms. research which suport me by alot of knowldege,I hope this type of journal can be available in our Arabic world and in our book shope