Raising Arizona Kids

I have found Raising Arizona Kids not only informative on what activities are going on in town but also for a day trip or weekend getaway. In addition, the articles and advice on raising children of all ages has been extremely helpful to me as a working mother and to my friends who are stay-at-home moms. Every parent can grow right along with their child with the help of Raising Arizona Kids. I have learned so much about what to expect from my children at every milestone and how to better deal with their growing needs. Every month's issue is packed with incredible information and fun ideas. Don't spend another day as a parent without this magazine!

Vanity Fair July 2007 Africa Issue, Keys/Jay-Z Cover

Although I wish I'd gotten the one with Chris Rock and Maya Angelou on the cover, I think the one with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys is hot too. I picked up the one with Jay-Z on it because I was trying to figure out who the light-skinned lady was. Without the eye make-up and braids, I'd probably pass her on the street and not even know who she was. Even though I enjoyed the different covers, I don't understand why Bush and Condoleeza were on there at all; doesn't he have have an oil war to finish and her shoe shopping during a national crisis should be about now, right?

Enough with my political opinions. I knew what Jay-Z and Alicia Keys had in common and low and behold, I saw the word Africa at the bottom. I have to give much respect for this magazine for covering such a huge issue, especially in the Motherland. I am enjoying reading the historical issues in Africa, as well as what is being done about the HIV/AIDS situation. I was very proud of them for making sure to inform readers that we are all from Africa, especially since so many US schools try to avoid that.

But, my review this round is about that fool Chris Rock. I was having the worst day on the planet at work today, and I browsed through this magazine on lunch figuring I should read about someone who's really going through something. I flipped to the page with his article on "The Ugly African American" and laughed hysterically through the whole thing. My pod thought I was losing my mind but I made copies of Chris's article so they could read it too and they fell out laughing. I copied that article and passed it out to my buddies at work and they copied it and so on and so forth. Only Chris Rock could make such a serious subject seem so hilarious, and he still made sure it was informative. When he said he snatched the lollipop, my stomach hurt. I love him! Absolutely love him!

GQ (1-year auto-renewal)

I started reading GQ back in the mid-1980s. I was an undergraduate male, intent upon a political career in London. Thus, I felt GQ was a useful magazine to keep me up-to-date on the latest styles of dress, in addition to the occasional useful article on other topics of fashion, some sports, some travel, some pop culture -after all, I was trying to be a 'happening' guy, and my social class and schooling (all conservative to the extreme, which in the big 80's was not out of place, but not cutting edge either) didn't give me all I needed to know.

Since those days (and since radical shifts in the direction of my vocation), I have used GQ less and less. Then, about a year ago, I got one of those buy-magazines-and-win-millions offers (no, I didn't win), and one of the few magazines that held any interest to me in this particular list was GQ. So, I thought, a few dollars, and I'll get a magazine I like.

Well, not quite.

GQ is very different today than I remembered. For one thing, only one of the past many issues I've received has seemed something I would want arriving at my home (as I am now a priestly sort) -apparently, in order to stand out in the men's magazine world, GQ feels it necessary to put an almost-naked woman on ever cover in some sultry pose. Now, fair enough, this is appealing to men, but an examination of issues ten years ago will show this was not the cover feature back then (usually it was a man on the cover, either a well-known person from sports or entertainment, or someone showing a fashion style). The April 2000 issue is more what I was used to -it has on the cover Nomar Garciaparra, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter. Of course, the headline has to appeal to the prurient interest, reading that they play shortstop as well as play the field. Included on the cover are stories about 'Alaska's Wild, Wild Women', an anonymous story entitled 'My Mentor, My Rapist', and a story about a new 'trend' of men becoming voluntary castrati. EEK!

This is certainly not the magazine I remember. I don't remember being titillated by GQ of the 80s (sure, there were advertisements that are always destined to have some sexual content, subtle and not-so-subtle), but GQ today is trying hard to compete with the almost (or maybe not almost) soft-core magazines such as Maxim. But I have found that I find very little of interest to actually read in GQ, and I am not so interested in the fashions or the sexual content any longer, so, I have come to the decision that GQ is no longer a magazine for me. And there seems to have been an explosion of advertisements -so many, in fact, that it is hard to find the actual content of the magazine apart from the advertisements. Considering the number of advertisements (which, I must confess, all seem the same to me, and I'm an old PR guy, who used to teach advertising!), GQ should be paying me to look at the magazine!

And, I'm sure, GQ doesn't expect it to be. While in many demographic respects I am exactly who they are targeting (a 30-something, white, educated male), it no longer fits my lifestyle, which has taken a different direction from 'popular' culture. GQ has a strong audience, but alas, it is no longer the magazine for me.

Pass me 'The Economist', will you?

GQ presents a difficult paradox of a magazine. There are many reasons to dislike GQ: Its pretentiousness, the focus on unobtainable clothing, the holier-than-thou writing.

But, there are so many positives about GQ that a subscription is not only recommended, it is almost required. First, and perhaps foremost, Alan Richman's food/restaurant columns. Second, Peter Bart (the once-deposed editor of Variety) writes a great Hollywood column. Third, GQ is far and away superior to its rivals, which I believe are Esquire and, somewhat surprisingly, Vanity Fair.

Fourth, the fashion features and celebrity interviews are beyond compare. Finally, GQ generally has one article a month that I would describe as investigative journalism, and these articles can't be missed.

All in all, GQ is an essential for any magazine rack.

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I've been a GQ subscriber for over 20 years but recently dropped my subscription. This is no longer the great men's magazine it once was. The features have dwindled in substance in favor of pictures and been overwhelmed by exploding ad content, making the "meat" minimal and very difficult to find.

Space which used to be devoted to interesting fashion, travel, "mixology" and dining has been diverted to titillating "skin" shots and silly lists of things which are uninteresting, useless and often offensive. What little fashion remains will be useless to those who inhabit even a semi-traditional world, though if your taste runs to 4 day beards, long uncombed hair and leather, you'll love it.

Also permeating the "new" magazine is a very heavy handed political agenda. The old GQ profiled politicians on occasion but with a focus on their personal side and without political "spin" to the story. Every issue of the new GQ trashes conservatives and Republicans from cover to cover. Examples---the current issue somehow finds a way to take a swipe at President Bush under the pretext of answering a reader question about loafers; a profile of singer Toby Keith is sneeringly derisive of his pro-U.S. songs; a recent review of several new British mystery writers found a way to spend much of its space trashing Margaret Thatcher, etc., etc.

So, the old GQ wasn't political and did a great job focusing on a broad range of fashion and other items of interest to guys with an emphasis on the traditional. It was interesting, entertaining and informative. The new GQ seems to me to have minimal use for anyone, even big city "hipsters" on whom the publishers have decided to focus. If you want liberal politics, or "skin" photos, you have far better magazine choices. There's precious little else left in GQ except for the scruffy guys in page after page of ads.

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I never bought GQ back in my 20s because for one thing, I never thought of myself as a clothes-horse. Also, I actually took the G in GQ to mean that it was actually for Gentlemen, ie, sipping Champagne on a Yacht pass me the the Caviar type Gentlemen.

Well, after now having reached a "certain age" I find myself going back and forth between Esquire and GQ and find that in many cases, neither are exactly right for me. However, I think I've bought my last episode of GQ. The 2006 "interview" with Will Ferrel was interesting for the first three paragraphs, and then it became an excercise in self referentialism, disguised as an attempt at wit.

Also, the Political views of the editors of the magazine are omnipresent, which would be OK except for the fact that I'm not reading GQ for Political content. There are plenty of magazines out there make this their specialty, and when I find it in GQ, its just tiresome. Frequently, swipes at politicians just come out of nowhere in an article, as if the Editor decided that a jab at whomever he didn't like might help the piece, regardless of its content.

Not to mention does anyone actually wear the clothing they put on display? $800 tennis shoes? I fear that I will be an Esquire reader I can't bear to become a "Men's Best Life" subscriber just yet.

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This magazine has some good information, but it is hard to find with all the ads in the magazine. This magazine has tons of ads that surround its few articles. The articles it does have are generally good, but there are just SOOOO many ads. The ads are all over and it is the main reason the magazine is so large. This magazine could be a lot better with half as many ads and a few more articles.

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Quilting Arts

I purchased this subscription as a gift for my quilting wife. She is a fairly advanced quilter and curator of the Colorado Quilt Museum. I had seen all of the issues back through the Premier issue of Quilting Arts she had brought home from various quilt shows and retreats, and knew that this magazine was considered both special and head and shoulders better in production standards than a lot of other magazines available on the subject. The photography, color, literary editing and both staff and guest contributors are all the BEST.

Don't be intimidated if you're not an advanced or long time quilter. The inspiration of the articles and projects illustrated will inspire you as well as awe you with their beauty. Technique is well represented in text as well.

Be aware of the reality that it will probably take 16 weeks to receive your first issue via subscription. If you're at a show be sure to pick up any current issues available. Another disappointment not reflecting on this beautiful magazine itself but still relevant for potential subscribers, is the fact that (though sent in a sealed plastic envelope) USPS still managed to get to the magazine, completely remove the protective cover and slightly damage the magazine (possibly through thumbing through it while eating lunch). This is a magazine that many feel worthy of keeping in pristine condition. So be aware of that possibility.

Again, superior to many magazines available about the beautiful art of Quiliting.

John Row

I saw my first issue of Quilting Arts magazine at the International Quilt Festival in November 2001. My first impression was that the magazine had a wonderful "look": it is printed on high-quality paper, with beautful photography and a pleasing layout. I subscribed immediately, and picked up the first two issues at the quiltshow. Each new issues seems better than the previous one. A wide variety of fiber-artists are featured. Articles showcasing a particular technique are well-photographed, with easy to follow text. This should be must-have

for anyone interested fiber art.

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No other quilting magazine can match Quilting Arts Magazine. Though it is a quarterly production it is rich in materials and helpful in bring out the artist in the quilter. The issue on wearable art is fantastic, with ideas that beg to be tried out. It may seem to be for the established artist, but it certainly spoke to me, who has only made a few wall quilts and bed quilts. I had just finished my first attempt at a quilted garment when I saw this issue, and it completely dazzled me, AND said to me, "You are an artist, too!" I highly recommend the magazine to all who would expand their horizons in quilting and clothing ornamentatio

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This is the best quilting magazine I have ever picked up. It is beautifully done, it is unique and the articles are interesting. But the thing I like best about the magazine is that every issue has a project complete with instructions that are so clearly written that even someone like me who is something of a novice when it comes to embelished quilting is inspired to give them a try.

This magazine is very well done and my hat is off to the writers and editors.

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Not the usual quilting magazine, Quilting Arts goes a step further. Embellishments with embroidery, beading, and various and different techniques. Definitely a resource for crazy quilters and wearable arts sewers. Well illustrated, beautifully put together with up-to-date articles by experienced sewers. Once a reader picks it up, it is hard to put down. I highly recommend it. Also check out their 2002 calendar. Great!

Casaviva

Magazine is fine but it didn't come for 6 months after ordering. Amazon blamed 3rd parties and wouldn't help. We will never order mags through Amazon.

Nothing against the magazine itself, but getting your hands on the first issue is a whole different story! First off it is late (in fact I still don't have my first issue) But that is not the worst part. The worst part is the post-purchase service you get from Amazon. First, people who answered the phone number provided in confirmation e-mail from Amazon, did not find/know anything about the confirmation number Amazon had e-mailed me. Well, guess what, that's all I have folks! unless you want me to make one up, I don't have any other confirmation numbers!

Insisting a bit more, frusterated the lady answering the phone and she told me that she did not work for Amazon and what do I want from her?!!

So, imagine this, the publication you paid for, never arrived, the confirmation number Amazon sent you does not exist and the phone number provided by Amazon says they don't work for Amazon?! That is what I call service!!

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Ever since my summer trip to Italy, I have been gathering some Italian home magazines because I noticed that they feature more realistic homes than American magazines which often feature stately homes. I use Casa Viva to get design ideas and tips on high quality home items that I can sometimes buy online. And since I understand Italian, I can say that the articles are well-written too.

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Diapason

My kid has had an interest in pipe organs since before there were any permanent teeth. This magazine is very informative and he thoroughly enjoys reading it.

Iowa Game & Fish

I purchased this for my Father and he cannot wait to receive each issue. He uses the fishing calendar to know when to go fishing. He enjoys the articles.

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Air Forces Monthly

This magazine provides comprehesive coverage of worldwide military aviation events and achievements. Consistantly well organized, with clearly written news and feature articles, all written from a unique British perspective give the reader a global overview of military aviation. Feature articles on the Air Forces of the world, from Albania to Zambia leave no details uncovered. Equipment inventories, attrition rates, maintainence capabilities, and personnel interviews precisely summarize the military aviation capabilities and performance of air forces the world over.

I regularly buy it but do not subscribe (8/10 issues per year out of 12). The only problem is in US market it is only available after it is taken off from UK or it arrives a month late.

I have written to AFM editor but according to its management shipping to US from UK in today's day and age takes > 1 month. This is a monthly magazine so does not make sense.

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Definitely the best magazine available in the US that covers timely military aviation news. I really enjoy seeing the British/European perspective on a lot of combat aircraft developments, even when I don't necessarily agree with it. I know that some of their articles and air force profiles are actually quoted in certain US military materials. I also was able to get one of my pictures from an airshow published once, which I thought was fantastic. Contrary to one of the reviews, I've subscribed to it (in the US) for almost ten years and have not had a problem, I've even moved three times and they did not have any trouble getting the address changed.

Even if you choose not to subscribe to it definitely check it out at Barnes & Nobles sometime.

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While this magazine is a high quality periodical about military aviation, getting a subscription of this UK magazine to be delivered to a US address was impossible. I put in a subscription in September 2010, and I never got a single subscription. despite 5 months of waiting. This is despite three separate, fruitless phone calls to the US vendor handling subscription requests from US residents. I suggest that you spare yourself the inconvenience and forget the idea of taking a subscription if you are in the US.

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