Wine & Spirits

At one time I absolutely adored this magazine. It contained articles that appealed to the wine geek in me. Not like Wine Spectator and their frequent score dropping. In an issue of Wine Spectator I was very interested about their article on the Russian River Valley and sorely disappointed that 50% of the article was in mentioning how great X winery was for making a 90 point this and a 91 point that. So I often turned to the amazing writing in W&S magazine.

In years past the articles were more numerous, the content much more creative and appealing. Now it seems they have run out of ideas. Instead it seems the magazine is becoming more like the Wine Spectator. Year after year it seems certain issues rehash stories from previous years, just with newer writing. I used to enjoy the stories of Rias Baixas, Sherry grown on the various soils, strange SW French wines like Iroulegy (sp?) and Gaillac. An article about grower champagne. Mendocino county wineries. The list goes on and on. But it seems in the interest of attracting subscribers they have gone more to the mainstream (this issue of Napa Cab and this issue of Bordeaux). Granted these are central to the world of wine, but it seems less space is being given to the interesting articles of up and coming wine regions. They still do include some interesting stories (hence the 3 star review), but as the magazine shrinks, so does the content. And the percentage of ads is about the same.

The reason I have a tough time recommending this magazine is that in the last 10 years or so (I began subscribing in the early to mid 2000s) I have noticed the number of pages decrease while the price jumps. It doesn't make much sense. Many other magazines are lowering subscription rates to increase readership and attract more profitable advertisers. I currently subscribe to a half dozen or so magazines, all were under $20 per year for at least 10 issues (Beer Advocate, Nat'l Geographic, Smithsonian, Yoga Journal, Runners World, and an inexplicable subscription to Outside magazine that has been coming for over 4 years... without my ever renewing...). I notice that these magazines have continued to provide strong articles while maintaining their reasonable subscription prices even in these tough times for periodicals.

So if the price ever drops to less than $20, I would recommend this magazine. But with the $29 price for 8 issues, and the lessened content, I find it hard to recommend. Go with Decanter magazine instead. It is the current leader for true wine lovers who don't dwell on scores, but it IS $55 per year (12 issues). Many of their articles are written by Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers. Though it does have a more Eurocentric outlook (not necessarily a bad thing!). If you love buying wines based on the 100 point scale and enjoy very quick and simple articles, or buy for collecting and investing, then the Wine Spectator is a good magazine ($50 for 15 issues). The magazines I mentioned are more expensive, but well worth the content. And I would probably avoid Wine Enthusiast magazine.

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Marie Claire Maison - France

Reading Marie Claire Maison over stolen afternoons at the Alliance Française library in Santo Domingo was my ideal oasis from the grind of the sticky hot city and my leaky rental apartment (with matching leaky budget). The designs consistently feature eclectic materials that make you look at objects around you with an artist's eye to composition, contrast, light and mood. It also stokes the flames of thrift shopping or dumpster diving to unearth beautiful and underappreciated objects to spotlight in your home. It was a wonderful way to improve my French vocabulary and to draw back the curtain on French homes and mindsets. You can't go back to matchy-matchy design magazines after this. Vive Marie-Claire Maison !

These magazines are published in different countries such as Italy and France. I did not know that. I wanted to purchase the Italian version and until I received it, did not know that it was also published in French-a bit of a surprise. I did enjoy the magazine though-the pictures were nice. Wish I knew how to get my hands on the Italian version though. Also wish the information was clearly marked when ordering. The writing was too small for me to determine that it was a French, not Italian, magazine I ordered.

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Investors Business Daily

The advice given in IBD is tremendously useful to both the novice investor and to the more seasoned investor. Following the CAN SLIM rules set forth by IBD along with the rules for investment success that IBD provides will enable you to be successful in your investment endeavors. The IBD 100 is a useful tool in which IBD ranks the top 100 stocks, based on fundamentals, etc. Obviously, the editorials prove to be controversial. If you're interested in making money and you don't agree with the views of the staff, simply don't read that page. I don't and I make money. If you want to ignore this paper simply because of its conservative viewpoints, you are probably doing yourself a great disservice. Yes, there are cheaper financial newspapers out there. The point; however, is not what you put into something--it's what you get out of it. The return on investment can be astounding if you let it.

You may think twice when you see the subscription price. DON'T!!!

Investors Business Daily (IBD) is the top resource for beginner to professional investor. Each day IBD uses their highly successful CAN SLIM formula for identifying the next up and coming stocks. Great Features include:

The Big Picture A daily paragraph reviewing the previous days activity, along with a barometer of how the market is doing.

The Real Most Active List of stocks that see unusual increases/decreases in volume trading. Not your typical Microsoft/Cisco/Nasdaq 100 list.

Investor's Corner A daily lesson on becoming a better investor. Using history and examples.

IBD 100 The current 100 most promising stocks recognized by IBM thru a multitude of fundamentals.

Leaders and Success A daily biography of a historical political/business/military/sport leader and how they changed the face of their industry.

Finally, when you subscribe you get access to the IBD Learning Center which gives lessons on buying and selling.

If you pickup one lesson from this newspaper it will more than save you or make you back the subscription fee.

My greatest lesson learned thus far:

No matter what, if a stock falls below 7-8% of your initial purchase price, sell it. No matter what.

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Now a fifth year subscriber, this paper is my investing Bible. But remember, it's the INVESTOR'S, not TRADER'S Business Daily. If you learn and follow their CANSLIM method you will be a successful investor. Get rich quick? No, but you can definitely manage your own stock portfolio better than your investment advisor or mutual fund manager can. Give yourself two years to learn, and expect to make all of the typical mistakes, and probably lose some money. After two years, if you stick with it and learn from your mistakes you will be ready to make your stock portfolio grow. There's nothing more satisfying than controlling your own money successfully. Skip the right-wing drivel on the editorial page. I read it just for a giggle occasionally. But the advice on investing is GOLD!!!

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I have enjoyed subscribing to this newspaper; also for it's online access. It has some interesting articles some times. It provides insight and valuable information about many companies (stocks) that I find interesting as well as about other news related to business. It does have some conservative writers; but it is only in the editorials and a few articles. I recommend this newspaper along with the Financial Times. The IBD does not have the range of articles as the Financial times.

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Ironically, I wanted to see what everyone was saying about IBD, to confirm that I had made a good investment in the purchase of the paper. Instead I feel that I must provide my own review. I will be retiring (hopefully) in 5 8 years and I wanted to make sure that my investments were going to take care of me. I pulled off some of my cash to invest, signed up with Scottrade and started buying stocks. One of the stocks I bought tanked almost immediately and my investment was down 22.7% within 3 weeks.

I had started researching and studying after my initial investment (BAD IDEA) and subsequently tried the 30 day free trial. Before I purchased IBD I talked to my FA who is managing my other investments and he indicated that it was a good rag and that he used it.

I started cramming and reading everything I could in IBD and started selecting stocks from the IBD 50 and the strangest thing happened; I started making money and lots of it. The first week after studying and surrendering to the CAN SLIM system I made 6.64% for the week. The second week I made 4.49% and this week I am on pace to make 2.5%; if I can continue at this pace I will have made back the money I pissed away when I initially thought .... hell anyone can pick stocks.

The paper is expensive if you are not working with much money; but I started with $220k, lost $47k in three weeks and I am $8.5k from breaking even I could not have made without IBD. I do not buy the paper for the editorials I read it for investments.

So there is my testimonial, I hope it helps new investors and nay sayers. You have to commit to learning the system, I am in fact extremely impressed and can't wait to see what I can do as I continue to get better at understanding the system and continue to improve on my mistakes.

Good luck everyone and good investing.

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Guitar World (1-year)

I've been a subscriber for some time now and I find this magazine to be a great bargain. This magazine/CD combo is a must for the electric guitarist. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is that there is too much emphasis on metal for my taste.

Is any one frustrated by the fact they paid good money to buy Guitar World magazine only to experience, in this case, the dreaded sense of Deja vu? Future Publishing is presenting as new, previously published articles again. I am referring to the trio of Pink Floyd articles that appeared in the Nov 2010 issue of GW. Wouldn't it piss you off to remember you read the same articles the previous year in another magazine. If you weren't aware, the illustration on pg47 was originally presented as the cover of last year's Classic Rock magazine Vol.139 2009 also by Future Publishing. Incidentally a better cover as it was in the form of Hi-def Lenticular cover! Let's see:

The title of the Article was changed from "Tear Down The Wall" to "Legends of The Wall"

Introductions, the same...

Credited to Glenn Povey, Illustrations by Magictorch, check

Bob Ezrin Interview by Jaan Uhelszki, representing Classic Rock now reworded/edited to represent GW especially the questions but the Erzin responses were repeated verbatim.

The title of the Kevin Murphy article was originally presented as "Behind the Wall", now reads Triumph of The Wall." Detailing Alan Parkers experience making the movie, the article was again recycled verbatim.

Classic Rock magazine went a step further and did a roundup w/ 21 different of rockstars Dio, Portnoy , Wakeman etc.and got them to share their favorite Pink Floyd experience. GW was too busy patting themselves on the back for lifting the first 3 articles.

First, while the articles were informative, they were more appropriate to and better presented in a magazine detailing the Rock Experience such as Rolling Stone, Spin or Classic Rock magazine. Actual guitar related content was minimal.

Second, I am certain the excuse will be related to country of origins, Classic Rock mag being more widely sold in Europe but if you can read english, have access to Barnes and Noble, Border Books etc. or even a computer you can buy CR Magazine anywhere in the USA. This is the very point of concern when Future Publishing bought out Guitar One and Guitar World. These 2 magazine coexisted for decades and still published original material alongside GFPM, Guitar School and Guitar Player. Why does Future Publishing have the right to repeatedly present year old material as current and original?

The magazines should conspicuously note re published articles and offer subscribers additional content or just offer original material!

apken

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I love "GUITAR WORLD"! For all those haters that gave it less than 5 stars, what do you want? THEY just started an AMAZING digital issue and have always set out to respect all styles of guitar playing. EVERY issue is a pleasure to read and they continue to bring in new and exciting articles every month. If a magazine ONLY wrote what YOU wanted it to, how would you be exposed to different styles and tastes. Guitar players are guitar players and WE ALL learn from each other.

ROCK ON GUITAR WORLD!

Jason

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I subscribe and I mostly like hearing about new metal music or seeing and reading about bands I like seeing what they got going on or reading stories about there experiences and that's pretty much what I look for with this magazine. I like reading the Readers mail and the readers art and the reader guitar players. I will agree with another poster they do repost articles but my memory is so bad that I most likely wouldn't catch it unless I had read the article previously. I only read what's interesting to me in the magazine so I don't always read it cover to cover sometimes I wait till the following month to read the readers mail and if they are raving about an article from the previous month and I haven't read it I will read it. I resubscribed for two more years

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This is the blackest magazine out there. The musicians all wear black. The tattos are black. The ads are black. And just for visual aesthetic, the blackness of the layout is offset by a bit of black on the opposing page.

If you are a teenage metal fan, this magazine is for you! But if your musical tastes veer outside of metal, you won't find much of interest here. Yeah, now and then you see the obligatory nod to SRV or Jimi, who we are told we should worship as gods. There are lotsa articles on old metal guitarists you wish would just go away, like Yngwie. But you will never ever see an article on Chet Atkins or Wes Montgomery. Maybe if they had more tattoos. . .

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Autism Research Review International

This is a great way to stay up on what's happening in Autism research...very reliable.

Loved getting the latest news about autism but wish they would publish more than just quarterly. There is so much going on in this field. I recently purchased the book Cutting Edge Therapies for Autism, 2010-2011". Well worth the money.

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If you are a parent with Autism child, then you need this great resource. ARI news letter has all the information about latest Autism research that you can use for your child. I have been the subscriber of this news letter from past many years.

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Muscle Mustang & Fast Fords (1-year auto-renewal)

Useful information here folks... ideas on how to get your machine to better perform as wellas the title states, well worth itsaves ya from the stand as well!

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