History Today

Given the popularity of history, and especially historical books in recent years, it is surprising how few magazines attempt to bridge the gap between the scholarly periodicals aimed at academics and two page features in magazines devoted to other subjects (or general interest). Those that do mostly concentrate on either family or military history.

History Today, by contrast, takes in the whole field of history, from biographies, through archaeology and individual events to large scale surveys. The success of these articles does vary, but most are written by active and respected scholars, with a leavening of "popular history" writers.

In this limited market, History Today excels in having 5 to 6 main articles, which give the writers a reasonable chance to provide some substance. These articles are probably twice the length, and three times the substance of those in the otherwise comparable BBC History Magazine.

On the other hand, some of the shorter articles in the magazine are entirely disposable.

I have been reading History Today for years. It covers largely European, and especially British, history, with occasional articles on American and world history. Articles are written by established scholars and sound popular historians, such as Antonia Fraser and Alison Weir, and are accompanied by brief bibliographies. Illustrations are usually drawn from sources contemporary with the subject of the article.

Its only drawback for Americans is the price. However, after years of freeloading in libraries, I decided to get a

subscription. Believe me, it is worth it.

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By far and beyond the best history periodical I have come across. And consistantly one of the best magazines I have read. I have subscribed for three years now-and that says a lot for me, especially given the price, since most magazines don't keep my interest for longer than a year. I find myself dropping anything I am currently reading, magazines and books alike, until I have finished each one.

Easy to read and yet usually contains much detail that you can sink your teeth into. The articles do a fantastic job of appealing to both the uninformed and the seasoned student of history. Ever have one of those teachers that would tell a story and then, at the end, after being rivited by the narrative, you actually found you had learned something in a way that made you feel almost as if you had experienced it yourself? Well, many times I find that this magazine does just that. Every now and then they do get a little fluffy but all in all, unbeatable.

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i first subscribed to this magazine decades ago, when its format was smaller, more elegant and more user-friendly, and when the content was not an insult to the reader's intelligence. then, even my friend the snobbish PhD in history called it "a good magazine for amateurs."

in the three issues i have received so far, there has been a distinct religious bias, which, considering the actual span of world history, is inexcusable. one issue concerned itself with two movies, one a new release which was enthusiastically reviewed, leading me to wonder if the magazine had been bought out by a film company.

the quality of the writing is not what i remember, neither is the scholarship, what there is of it. the illustrations also fall far, far short of the quality of yesteryear.

this magazine, in my opinion, is the print equivalent of the television programs that are aimed at an audience believed to be uneducated, uninformed, unclutured, and incapable of logic or critical thought.

i regret wasting my money on it.

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If you're a history enthusiast, you'll enjoy this. Despite being frequently classified as an "academic journal", History Today is really none of that; for one thing, it's actually entertaining. My only complaint is that this magazine focuses too much on British history, but since it's a British publication, I suppose I can't really complain.

Paris Match

I purchased subscription on December 23, 2006. Trusted Amazon to deliver a good service. The estimate for delivery was 4-6 weeks. Now, it is March 7, 2007; the magazine has never arrived; the provider of subscriptions first kept promising "any week now" but now they say I wouldn't start my subscription until mid-April. No explanation why. Cannot cancel and get a refund of $150. Extremely disappointed. Should have ordered directly another French weekly, subscribed directed from the publisher a month ago and already received two issues. I am not even sure at this point I would receive my paid subscription for Paris-Match. I contacted the publisher and they told me they provide US subscriptions through a completely different agent. So, Amazon, what do I do now about my subscription?

AMAZON, DITCH THIS AGENT AND FIND ANOTHER.

I still believe the magazine is worth what I had originally written (see below). However, I have not received an issue since I'd scripted the laudatory comments. I have contacted Amazon, the agent, and now Amazon again. So, I, too, will not subscribe through this venue. I'm better off paying more at a bookstore and receiving the product.

If I wish to be current with all aspects of polemics in the world a propos to the French slant, Paris Match offers the best of all. Without subscribing to a special magazine for each (politics, arts, actualities, photjournalism, opinions and surveys), Paris Match offers all. As a teacher of French in a public high school, I find Paris Match a valuable teaching tool that engages the readers to pursue certain topics with more research.

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I subscribe to Paris Match through Amazon.com because it's a fast and reliable way to do it. The subscription is expensive, but I find it's worth it. It helps me keep my French current, something reading books and academic material does not do. It also gives me another viewpoint on world events. Some of the stories are extraordinary, even though lots of the material is on a par with "People" magazine.. but that can be fun, too.

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Paris Match the magazine is fine, but we never received it. It's been over 4 months since the order was placed and not a single issues was sent. We also asked for customer service but only received ineptitude.

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I love reading Paris Match and it's an easy and painless way to keep up on my French. Paris Match is something like a cross between People and Time magazines. It has current news about the stars and famous people and also has some articles about French government and politics. There are even articles about science, nature and medicine, and autos. A little bit of everything with the emphasis on people in the news. They always have great photos and it gives a different view of world events.

I've subscribed several years, and have currently subscribed through Amazon and have done so in the past as well. The first issue took about 5 weeks to arrive. The magazine is shipped from Canada and so sometimes in the past the magazine didn't arrive one week, but then I got two the following week. I think this is just the Canadian mail system. I've always received all 52 weekly copies and find subscribing much less expensive that trying to find them in a bookstore.

When I first started learning French I limited myself to 20 minutes per day of reading English (except for work stuff) and everything else in French including my web browser and internet websites. Paris Match was a big help in learning because it was interesting and I always looked forward to the articles. I used to sit there with a little French Dictionary Oxford French Minidictionary and have to look up half of the words or more. Now when the magazine arrives I usually read it cover to cover in a couple days and only have to use the dictionary occasionally.

I really enjoy the magazine and would recommend it to anyone learning or needing to practice the French language.

3/9/09 I just wanted to post an update to say that all of the issues of this magazine are arriving weekly as advertised. Due to the fact that they're printed in France, sometimes they're here at the beginning and sometimes at the end of the week, but they all make it in good order. I'm really enjoying all the articles and great photos on worldwide topics as well as the gossip on the French movie actors and such.

International Record Review

I would endorse everything that is said by below by J Scott Morrison. "International Record Review", while obviously based on "Gramophone" magazine (it shares the general format and some of the same reviewers), has addressed most of "Gramophone"'s egregious faults.

1. There is far more space devoted to actual reviews of classical recordings (the primary purpose of both magazines), and far more CDs actually get reviewed.

2. Reviewers are not exclusively U.K.-based

3. The choice of recordings to review sems less constrained by advertising considerations.

4. More reviews of reissues of historical recordings.

5. No section on audio equipment (Gramophone's paltry and inadequate audio equipment reviews are obviously inserted to get advertising dollars from audio manufacturers) -a subject which demands and deserves its own periodical.

All in all, this is probably your best bet if you want to subscribe to a classical music magazine

This glossy British classical music magazine that focuses primarily on recordings was founded in 2000 by, I believe, some disgruntled former 'Gramophone' writers. The staff of writers include such well-known reviewers as Martin Anderson, Hugh Canning, Jed Distler, Mortimer H. Frank, Harris Goldsmith, Julian Haylock, Simon Heighes, Robert Layton, Donald Manildi, Andrew Porter, Charles Timbrell, Raymond S. Tuttle, John Warrack and others. As you can see, the writers primarily come from England but there are far more American reviewers than write for 'Gramophone,' giving it a bit more trans-Atlantic balance than the older magazine. It is, as they say, 'for those who know their music but who are prepared to be further enlightened, appreciate good sound-reproduction, without the need for gimmicks and who want up-to-date, authoritative comment on the vast number of new and historical classical recordings being released worldwide.' There are monthly review sections for orchestral, chamber, instrumental, choral, vocal and opera CDs as well as for DVDs and books. Issues also contain

A frank, topical and pertinent editorial

An extensive and detailed Index to the reviews

Letters to the Editor

A list of new international releases

News pages and obituaries

Special extensive features on major repertoire (with exhaustive comparisons of extant recordings)

A Directory of record company websites

There are no sections dealing with sound reproduction or new electronic gadgets. One plus is that there is a good deal of attention paid to historical recordings. For instance, in a recent issue there was an extensive section about historical opera re-issues.

The writing is generally both graceful and informed. It is rare that I don't learn a good deal from an issue, and I tend to read every word of every article. The only drawback for American subscribers (and the reason I've awarded only 4 stars) is that, with the currently disadvantageous exchange rate for the US dollar against the British pound, it is a bit expensive. I, however, would not like to be without it.

I hope this description helps prospective subscribers decide whether this is their cup of tea.

Scott Morrison

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All About Beer

This magazine is not for the person who enjoys coors and has no idea what the difference is from a Pale Ale to a Hefeweisen. The magazine is very technical and is meant for the serious beer drinker / fan.

First of all the magazine is all about beer, with that being said some articles can feel redundent (interviews with brewers all sound alike) which is why the mag. only comes out every other month. I am not too big of a fan on the section that discusses beer in a specific town or region.

What I do like is the new beer releases, the ratings system, also the beer reviews where two experts give their opinions. I save each issue and take it to the liqour store to see which beers that are mentioned are available in my town. I have tried several outstanding beers based on the recommendations of All About Beer. They also do a great job introducing you to beer styles that you may not be familar with.

If you like beer as much as I do you will come to think of All About Beer as your own personal beer bible.

This is an outstanding magazine and recommended for anyone who appreciates Craft Beer.

All About Beer magazine is great for the common beer lover. It is enjoyable, easy reading that allows the reader to really explore all aspects of beer. It is great for staying current with industry trends or just for finding new beers to try. I highly recommend this magazine to anyone with a passion for beer.

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Husband recently got into craft beers, so I got him this magazine. He looks forward to receiving it and keeps them to refer back to. Lots of good info and new beers to try!

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One of the best gifts I have gotten my husband! He love this magazine. We have renewed this for the past 3 years.

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This magazine is the best birthday present purchase ever! Its informative, and great to read. You'll be waiting for each issue to arrive with anticapation! Its well worth the price, and its nice to leave out for guests to read.

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Flow : a Glass Workers Journal

This is by far the most complete resource for the hot glass artist. Plenty of technical info and eye candy. Keep it goin!!!

Cody Ottmer

This magazine is great, but has little for beginning or intermediate beginners. Except for the 'Wow!' factor, of course. Articles are well written, good info on hot glass gatherings and education, photos are amazing eye-candy that can almost have you dabbing the drool off your chin. They try hard to make sure boro workers are shown making things other than pipes, which is nice, although they do include that art form as well. The soda-lime/soft glass workers are well represented too: beads, sculpture, tips, tutorials nothing that a beginner could manage, but education starts somewhere, as does inspiration. I have yet to show magazine to anyone w/o several 'Wow' responses to the works shown in the photos, even those who haven't the foggiest what's involved in making the pieces.

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Received 1st issue within 1 1/2 weeks of ordering!! Wrapped well. Thanks!

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American Spectator

The American Spectator offers an eloquent and often humorous conservative viewpoint on the more pressing political and cultural issues facing the world today. The emphasis here is "conservatism", not "Republicanism" as TAS is often highly critical of GOP politics and policies that stray from conservative ideals.

Publications like TAS counter the insidious, tendentious underpinings of the mainstream media, hollywood, and the mistake that is the United Nations. I recommend you at least give it a look. Samples of its content can be found at

The American Spectator is a must read for anyone considering themselves an intellectual. Not only are the articles witty and well-researched, they also provide well-articulated arguments to the most pressing (if sometimes slighlty out of date) controversies of the times. Well worth the subscription price, or even the cover price.

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I have been reading this magazine for the past year. This is a great magazine through and through. Their contributors are as good as those who do contribute to first rate Conservative magazines like the NR and WS. I like the simplicity of the articles and it is not so philosophical or hard to understand. A great read if you're interested in learning the points of views of the Conservatives. Moreover, their book reviews and recommendations are awesome. I always open this magazine where they have book reviews first and then I read other stuff. It's a good read!

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This magazine contains common sense in an age(and country) that is dire need of it. A stark contrast to the socialist tracts put out by the mainstream press.

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I used to subscribe to TAS, back in the 1980s and 90s when it was a lively Journal that had a good deal of exciting writing and reporting. Granted it was, and continues to be, much more socalially conservative than I ever was, but I do try to read a wide spectrum of publications; I'm not one who reads just to reinforce my own prejudices. And there was plenty I did likeP.J. O'Rourke on Washington, DC; the annual Christmas book recommendations; and Ben Stein's whiny, self-pitying column from Hollywood.

Some years ago TAS fell under new ownership and new editorship and rapidly became a dull and uninteresting magazine that devoted increasing amounts of space to some rather bizarre pseudo-scientific areasthe kids of things you'd expect to see in a Lyndon LaRouche magazine. I not only quit subscribing, I quit looking through it on newsstands.

In recent years the new editors have made a real effort to restore the magazine that R. Emmet Tyrell made into the most talked-about (and hated) of the Clinton years, but the spark is no longer there, perhaps becasue the Clintons aren't either; time seems to have left TAS in its wake.

Excellence : a Magazine About Porsche Cars

I read a quantity of automotive magazines. I have been driving, modifying, and enjoying Porsches since the late 60s.

If your interests lie in Porsche-land, the hands down best magazine is "excellence". From the early days when it was called "Porsche" [PCNA didn't like that and forced a name change], through the latest issue, "excellence" has always had the best, most original reading on the planet.

Sure, sometimes they have inaccurate technical information and incorrect specifications. Sometimes their writers and editors have missed the enthusiast's point. BUT, nothing else even comes close for issue after issue of superior reading enjoyment.

All I can say is keep them coming!

John Rice

I thought it worthwhile to add that any issues I have had with excellence magazine as I noted previously..in terms of their tech info. They were actually small nitpicks and they remain WORLD'S ahead of their competition. No one else is close. It seems that every time I buy one of the UK Porsche magazines I am disgusted at how inept and lazy they are about keeping their facts accurate. I still sometimes buy them but only because they have a particularly unique article I want to read. I have NEVER had issues like this with excellence. I have subscribed since the first issue and suspect I will continue until I either get too old to read/drive.... or die. ;->

JR

This is a great magazine for both owners and fans of Porsche. Bruce Anderson's columns alone are a good enough reason to purhcase it. The mix of topics makes it a magazine for everyone; from reviews of the latest and greatest to articles on older Porsches which well within the reach of any enthusiast. I have subscribed for many years and can't conceive of it not arriving in my mailbox.

The market section and owner reports make it invaluable for someone looking to purchase a Porsche (no one would sell one would they?), I have been trying hard not to to use excellent or excellence in this description, but quite frankly it is an excellent magazine!

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Great magazine with minimum fluff for advertisements. Good technical articles and an interesting mix of street and track and restoration. Nice to see original articles and columns not recyclyed stuff like I used to see in R & T and Car & Driver before I cancelled them.

If you are an enthusiast then this magazine will be your first read ...even before pano.

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Probably the most consistent and best publication on Porsche in the world(including those by Porsche. the company)

includes fascinating classic Porsche stuff, Fast modification examples, Tuner set-ups old and new,and racing news.

New product is also reviewed in an honest way. I wish they published it 20 times a year. WELL DONE!

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Excellence is a great magazine--the quality of the articles is quite good, and the technical articles really open up your eyes to the more mechanical aspect of motoring. Overall, its a great magazine, and you wont be dissapointed.

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Landscape Architecture

This is a fine magazine with varied and interesting stories in every issue. A little America-centric and a tad heavy on the advertising. Difficult to find second hand as it is a great reference for professionals as well as inspiring for hobbists.

keeps me informed of up to date landscape architecture articles, innovations, and so on... does very well on the field that specializes

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Bought for a teen who wanted to learn all about the different areas of architecture. He really enjoyed this book. It is now being kept for future reference in his architecture research library. He enjoyed it so much that he wants to learn more about landscape architecture.

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Due to the iPhone's lack of flash and the fact that zinio has not added LA Magazine to its magazines available through its app, the digital version cannot be accessed on the iPhone (which makes the print version more usable and "portable" for iPhone users)

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Steelers Digest

I decided to give this a shot. I called the publisher directly so that my order went through directly with them and I received my first issue 3 days later. When ordering from the publisher you can also get some incentives. The coverage is very professional and you really don't get this coverage anywhere else. This paper is all on only the Steelers which is nice. Through the whole season I only got maybe 2 issues late and it was expected as it was during the holidays. The single review that was left years ago should be binned. Slow delivery isn't the publisher's fault, clearly that person's local post office has poor delivery. The publisher offers a 1st class option which hides and protects your issues in an envelope for an extra cost which is nice. I really didn't need this though. I'll definitely be getting this again.

i did not get the publication! I hope I have not been charged for it! I repeat I did not get tthe publication !!!!!!!!!

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It's not worth the money. By the time you get it, it's old news.

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