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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Bust

About every four months or so I pick up an issue of Bust. It's not something I'd like to read on a regular basis, as I find any pop culture commentary to be a bit preachy, but this is a fun magazine with a sense of humor (Praise be!). Every issue features an interesting interview: Amy Sedaris, Tina Fey, etc. Nothing is overly examined; if you want a really thought provoking magazine, I'd subscribe to Ms., but I like Bust's writing because it is accessable and less angry and frustrated than Bitch--a comparable magazine. It also has a terrific column by writer Ayun Halliday (No Touch Monkey and East Village Inky), which usually cracks me up. In addition, you can usually find liberal join-up type articles as well as personal essays. Babes in Toyland is one of Bust's larger sponsors, so there are lots of articles on pleasuring yourself, vibrators, and getting in touch with your inner-inner woman. I think in terms of tone that Bust lies somewhere between Jane and Budget Living (sounds crazy, but it's true), with the obvious feminist bent. I really appreciate that it's not anti-male, too.

I'm really upset at all the negative reviews of BUST here. Bust magazine isn't claiming itself to be your feminist go-to source, it's a magazine for girls who like magazines. Personally, I love bust because I can look at fashion and trends & new designers without being bombarded by articles like "HOW TO MAKE HIM GROAN". If i wanted intense feminist essays I'd go read bitch magazine, but if you just want a fun magazine with cool fashion & a girl positive vibe, BUST is for you.

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Bust is an entertaining, highly readable magazine aimed at 20and 30-something women who unashamedly self-identify as feminists. It reflects a heavy influence of NYC/Brooklyn and the indie scene. The journalism is not terribly political or hard-hitting, but I don't think it intends to be. Bust does occasionally discuss things like comprehensive sex ed, breastfeeding in public, and misogynistic commercial ads; however, for the most part, the content is on the lighthearted side. I have subscribed for almost a year, although I've read it intermittently off newsstands since 2005, and overall, I really enjoy reading it.

The great thing about Bust is that it has substance and is fun to read. There are never articles like "How to Look Thinner," "Choose the Right Anti-Aging Surgical Procedure," and other inane, self-hate-inducing garbage typically found in mainstream women's mags. By contrast, Bust has articles on female stand-up comedians, women who travel the world volunteering, and how to choose the right vibrator or electric guitar. (These are also great examples of how Bust has a more lighthearted tone than Ms. or .) [MM edit: Thanks a lot, Amazon, for editing out the word B**ch right there -it's the name of a feminist magazine, not a derogatory term. Just shows you how far we still have to come.]

Bust's regular features include:

* Feminist interest columns -Pop Tart, a tongue-in-cheek take on current pop culture; Museum of Femoribilia, with articles on women's cultural objects (swimsuit bra cups, restrictive petticoats, girls' toys, etc.) from the 1920s on and the feminist issues raised by them; and Mother Superior, by Ayun Halliday, who writes self-effacingly and hilariously about her kids' antics

* DIY projects -Make your own queen-size headboard, reusable tote bags, mod-themed tea towels, pillbox hat, subversive cross-stitch art, etc.

* Recipes -Chinese wontons, gingersnaps, tsimmes, mozzarella cheese (yes, how to curdle cheese), how to throw an eco-friendly Thanksgiving feast

* Boy du Jour -A short interview with a hot, progressive, not-so-mainstream dude

* Fashion features -Trend spotting; up-and-coming independent designers; a multi-page fashion spread illustrating a current trend (steampunk, outdoorsy hippie, cowgirl, 80s rock-chic)

* Interviews with 1-2 progressive celebrities

* Travel -Articles on domestic and international destinations, with suggestions on restaurants, worthy hole-in-the-wall shops, things to do and see

* Sex -Reader Q&A with Betty Dodson and, more recently, Carlin Ross (this can get graphic at times, but it's info we were all wondering anyway); Sex Files, a column discussing general women's health topics; the "One-Handed Read," stories similar to those in other popular women's mags (i.e., porn for women)

* Reviews of 1) not-so-mainstream beauty products, 2) recent indie music, 3) books written by or about women, and 4) recent indie movies produced/directed/written by or about women

* Comic strip detailing the trialz & tribz of a high school sophomore in the 1980s (by Esther Pearl Watson) and a feminist-themed crossword puzzle at the end -I luuurve the comic strip and the crossword!

Bust is really big on indie musicians, especially those with a progressive bent, male or female. There is always at least one feature on a musician in each issue.

It's also important to note that Bust is not misandronistic in any way; in fact, they're very open about appreciating, crushing on, and having relations with men.

However, here's my one gripe: Bust has a somewhat "exclusive" vibe. Don't get me wrong -they're not out there bashing people who don't subscribe to their indie ethos; they're just not inclusive of a wide audience. I agree with a previous reviewer about the general lack of inclusion of women of color (and I am white). There are, of course, some exceptions to this -like the features on Eve, Rosario Dawson, Margaret Cho, Charlyne Yi, Sandrah Oh, and Rosie Perez, for example. But these features may be too few and far-between for women of color to feel truly championed. The bottom line is that Bust just aims for a very specific audience, which happens to be white, straight, crafty, indie/hipster feminists in their 20s and 30s. For some people, this may feel alienating. I occasionally feel like I'm not "hipster enough" for Bust, even though I'm pretty sure I fit into their intended demographic. ;)

Despite this, I continue to read Bust because I enjoy the positive media outlet it provides, especially compared to the likes of Glamour, Vogue, Cosmo -which make ALL women feel like crap, regardless of heritage, size, and interests. Personally, I get enough positive value out of Bust as a whole to let the occasional self-doubt slide.

Overall, Bust is an enjoyable, lighthearted, pro-woman magazine. I'd suggest you check it out at Borders or B&N before subscribing, just to get an idea of its readability and look/feel. Recommended!

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I have been reading Bust magazine for close to five years now.

I have to say that all of the wonderful things that I love about being a woman are talked about in this magazine. And it isn't just for women, with music and book reviews, the magazine is for almost anyone who has a pulse. The main reason it is for women is that it says everything that our mothers wouldn't say but taught us that we should feel allowed to say.

This magazine is a must for any female who has no problem with calling herself the f-word: feminist.

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I'm not going to say that Bust isn't a decent magazine. And if other feminist publications weren't around, I'd probably be reading it cover to cover. The problem is that they seem to assume that everyone who reads their mag is all do-it-yourself-y and artsy. And that they're actually interested in clothing. I'm not. I still appreciate some of the articles -for example, the article several months ago on the womanly diagnosis of "hysteria" and this latest issue's article about American women converting to Islam.

If you're a knitter, cool. If you're a sorta-kinda feminist, cool. If you just want to read something that isn't telling you to go out and find a husband, like, yesterday, this is a good mag too. But if you're looking for something that is a little more FEMINIST, pick up Bitch magazine.

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Officiel 1000 Modeles

This is a valuable investment.

I would never loan one to a friend, throw an issue out ,or cut it up. The first year I ordered the subscription from Amazon and was irked to go to the news stand and see an issue I didn't get. A full years subscription (I had to order directly from the publisher) sends you issues for all of the collections: men's and women's wear, couture; and accessories right off the runways from around the world.

I have been in the clothing business for over 20 years. This magazine is well worth the price and ends up being a little lower than buying them off the news stand (where not every issue gets ordered).

Not everything can be found on the internet when a collection gets older, so I have a shelf of back issues (full of post-it's) for great inspiration and problem solving.

If your business is fashion or you're passion is high style I highly suggest this magazine.

No fashionista should be without this magazine. Fresh from the catwalk, gives one a first look!

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First Things

If you have never picked up a copy of "First Things" you need to do so today. There is simply nothing else even remotely like it. No amount of praise could be too lavish for this magazine.

"First Things" an interfaith religious magazine. Yes, I said religious, a word hovering on the brink of the suspect list lately. The magazine does lean to Catholic and Protestant issues, although I have read articles by Jewish writers as well.

In this month's issue (May 08) there are articles on whether or not Shakespeare was Catholic, the ethics of immigration, a very interesting article on marriage, and a warm and personal reflection on William F Buckley. Also a comparison between hard-core atheists like Nietzsche, Freud, and Marx, and the new, soft-core atheists like Dawkins and Hitchens, who call God evil, even though "in order to make such value judgements one must assume, as the hard-core atheists are honest enough to acknowledge, that there exists somewhere, in some mode of being, a realm of rightness that does not owe its existence completely to human invention, Darwinian selection, or social construction (p 75).

You need it to keep abreast of the gossip about the breakup of your favorite mainline denomination and the outrages of liturgical dumb bunnies! To cleanse your mind after an hour spent watching the bilge that television producers call entertainment! To keep your sanity as western civilization collapses!

You need it as a gift to a student leaving to be brainwashed in one of our universities.

You need it as the perfect gift for those atheist friends of yours who claim all believers are barely sentient.

And, of course, it is an obviously necessary gift to yourself.

The journal "First Things" fills an important niche in the intellectual landscape of the ever-changing marketplace of ideas. It is, as its description states "the journal of religion, culture, and public life." In my humble opinion the definite article in the description is well deserved since "First Things" has positioned itself as the definitive journal on those three subjects and especially on their intersection and interplay. The ordering of the importance those three subjects from the description also reflects more or less accurately how prominently they are covered in the pages of the "First Things." The journal has gained considerable reputation for its unapologetic stance on the role of religion in public life, especially when it comes to politics. This is one of the thorniest issues that is often misunderstood: religion, just like any other ethical system, can and should inform those decisions that are relevant for the common good.

The editor-in-chief of the magazine is father Richard John Neuhaus. He is a public intellectual par excellence and someone whose opinion and knowledge I admire a great deal. His mega-column/article "The Public Square" is a regular feature in every issue of the "First Things."

Besides "The Public Square" each issue of "First Things" has several lengthy in-depth articles, a few shorter opinion pieces, book reviews, correspondence and poems. Over the years contributors to the "First Things" have included Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), Avery Cardinal Dulles, Christoph Schönborn, George Weigel, Stephen Webb, R. R. Reno, Timothy George, Stephen Barr, Joseph Bottum, Michael Novak, and many, many others.

All past issues of "First Things" (older than two months) can be found on the journal's website () and I would strongly urge anyone who is interested in finding out more about this wonderful publication to visit the website. In addition, the website features a daily blog article that cannot be found in the journal itself.

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First Things is a thoughtful magazine with articles that will still be worth reading ten years from now. Like Atlantic Monthly, Touchstone, New Yorker, or Foreign Policy, First Things is filled with ideas that are analytical and thoughtful. Unlike all of those aforementioned publications, the viewpoints found in First Things are decidedly Catholic, and the focus of the magazine is on social or religious issues.

I have been a subscriber to First Things for fifteen years now, and an admirer of Richard John Neuhaus, the editor (died in 2009), an intellectual tour-de-force. Since the death of Neuhaus, the publication has taken on a distinctively different look; for example, the front cover, which used to feature the contents as a teaser to what might be found within the magazine, now displays a black and white line drawing, symbolic of some topic covered inside. The new editor of the magazine, Joseph Bottum, has improved the magazine by making it more visually appealing.

First Things: Within the spectrum of Catholic and Jewish thought, it contains wide-ranging articles and reports on how religion and society interact. It's definitely a publication worth reading, especially for an evangelical such as I.

W.T. (Ted) Hinds

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I never know what to expect from an issue of First Things, only that the content will delight, surprise, and satisfy me. The latest issue, for instance, carried three intriguing headlines on the cover "Cicero is a Superstar" "Pete Seeger is a Communist" and "Mitch Albom is an Idiot." Wonderful! I didn't know where to begin!

This magazine is a right of center look at the interaction of Religion and Culture from a generally Catholic point of view. Being Catholic, the "right of center" can often be very different than the main stream right of center perspective portrayed in the popular media. The positions are more thoughtful, and on issues such as immigration, you can feel the concern for both the immigrant and the native in their writing.

The book reviews are always worth reading, even if you never intend to pick up the books discussed. They get some powerhouse names to write some of the reviews, and this being a more serious magazine than some of these writers usually show up in, you can see their mind at a stronger task than you usually do. I'm thinking particullarly of a few National Review writers who I wish would write in the NR at the same level of seriousness they approach writing in FT.

***Compared to when Neuhas ran the show?***

How does this magazine stack up to what it used to be, in Neuhaus' capable hands? It is being passed, like all good traditions, to the new generation (which, truth be told, is mostly the old generation, minus Newhaus).

The articles are just as good. The letters to the editor are still the strongest of any magazine I read. The book reviews are as compelling. Joseph Bottum is still trying to figure out how to make The Public Square his own, but he has some very impressive shoes to fillit'll take some time to get there, but I have no doubt he'll find a way to honor the past while moving forward in his own way.

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First Things magazine is a valuable guide to faith, culture & world events. It represents eccumanism of CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity" veriety, not of the lowest common denominator.

If you want to know what commited & intelligent believers are thinking & talking about, look no further!

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Asian Diver

Living in northern Australia there are a range of Asian destinations that are closer to me than other parts of my own country. Hence my next dive is just as likely to be overseas as domestic. Which is where this magazine comes in. I'm not going to tell you it's the best dive magazine in the world because I haven't read them all but I will opint out a few things;

A) Firstly it is in English. There, that's said.

B) It is not overly expensive and has all the benefits of wonderful photography and by concentrating on Asian dive sites it is perhaps the perfect magazine to score yourself a copy or three of if you are considering travelling to that part of the world. Further if you already live in that divers paradise of a continent then you might as well subscribe.

C) The articles are well laid out and there is a variety of subjects covered. Just flicking through my last issue there are articles on ice diving, cave diving, the Dead Sea (not every article is about Asia) and as per many other magazines there is a selection of regular segments to back up the 'feature' articles.

If I have a criticism it is that once again we have a magazine somewhat more aimed at those with fairly significant budgets or who have had the time to get highly skilled at their craft. As per many other dive magazines (or any specialty magazine for that matter) there is a bit too much coverage given to 'dream scenario' stuff rather than things that you or I might actually be able to do with our more modest time/finances.

Silver Magazine

A wonderful magazine for the silver collector/dealer. I previously subscribed many years ago and thought it was no longer being published. Was very happy to find out it is still in business.

Silver Magazine combines information about silver history, artistry and craftsmanship. If you are interested in silver, hope to collect some pieces, or want to research granny's teaspoons, there is no other resource that equals this magazine. Silver Magazine's stunning photographs offer a beautiful accompaniment to the information provided by its articles.

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There aren't enough stars for this magazine! It's the best for informative articles and great pictures. Well worth the money!

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This magazine is a work of art. The photography is beautiful and the articles well written. A joy to view and read.

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Communication Arts

I love this magazine and think it's a great subscription to have for any designer! I do think that Amazon should have a lower price however. The communication arts website has a much cheaper price for current students. I also wish amazon would have a kindle version of this magazine! I love it, but the magazines are big and bulky and I'd love to be able to take it on the go. Otherwise, it is well worth the subscription!

Subscribed here thinking this would be a much easier way to manage it each year. Its really no saving over ordering direct from the magazine. only problem is that i entered my subscription on Nov. 9, 2011, expecting first issue 60 or so days later. Won't get first issue until March 9, 2012. seems a tad long to wait.

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Current World Archaeology

I also get Archaeology magazine, a US publication. Both are wonderful and just great for those with active interest in the ancient world. Really well put together!

Paint Horse Journal

After subscribing to the Quarter Horse Journal, Reiner, and other large breed publications, hands down the Paint Horse Journal is the better read for articles, advertisements, and happenings. The biggest win with the PHJ is the advertisement are not intrusive in the article layouts. I have experienced difficulties even finding the articles in the QHJ and Reiner magazine because the advertising obscures the body of the articles. The PHJ's layout and design should be award winning. The article content is always fresh, helpful and informative without being redundant. I have been a subscriber for years and have yet seen a duplication in content. 5 out of 5 stars!

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Classic Images

Classic Images is a publication that meets the needs of any fans of the golden age silver age classic age silent age of screen stars and cinema history. Whatever you choose to call them. If you like "older" movies and the stars, directors, etc., who made them this is your magazine. Each issue has articles devoted to a number of screen star "legends". There is also an excellent section on "passings". Sadly for those of us who grew up watching TV reruns of silent films, B/W films, and everything in between during the 1950s and 1960s the list keeps growing as those ranks continue to shrink.

The legends of those days will live on as long as there is a copy of the film out there for someone else to make a copy of. This newspaper text format magazine serves as a wonderful reminder of what we might consider "the good ole days of films". The stories and photos printed in each issue are a fond reminder of how much (we) fans miss those days.

Try an issue the next time you run across one of these in your local bookstore. Then subscribe so you won't miss an issue!!!!

You will be glad that you did.

Brigitte

it's a great way to keep in touch with the culture, language and general issues that affect women in Germany

This is simply the best woman's magazine I've ever read! And I can say that I've read a lot of them both in the US and in Germany.

I've read it for over 12 years and I can say that I never got bored with it. I'm still excited about any new issue. The articles always matter and they catch just the right balance between being serious and entertaining. It's for the modern young woman. To name a few subjects: Career, love, sex, family, style&fashion, wellness&beauty, travel reports and interviews every article going a bit deeper than the usual woman's magazine. There's really something to read for days. And on a side not: There's more articles than ads!

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My German mother LOVES getting this every two weeks. It has become a staple birthday gift. She ends up sharing it with friends, and she enjoys keeping up with issues/trends/news from Germany. Next time we might get the Brigitte Woman, but this has been such a hit that I doubt it.

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I grew up with my mom reading this magazine.

As I grew older I appreciated it more and more, since it sets itself apart from the typical women's magazine which can be too much about beauty and how to please your partner.

I find great cooking & design tips, great book & movie & music reviews, but most of all I appreciate the columns and real life stories; stories I can relate to and learn from. And having a piece of home delivered to my door now that I live in the US is simply perfect!

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Murder Most Foul

Though "Murder Most Foul" also features true crime stories, it is a quarterly magazine [only published 4 times a year]. The stories do make for riveting reading, focusing on crimes committed in the UK and also US. There are photographs that accompany the articles. Recommended to fans of true crime though I prefer the monthly publications such as True Crime and Master Detective.

great true crime stories glad at least England still has mags like this very hard to find here in the states wish it was monthly but hey I'll take what I can get...

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