I agree with some of what all the other reviewers have stated. I, too, am a Texas native who has subscribed for nearly 15 years (and read my father's for 10 years before that) and have seen the mag's quality ebb and flo. As copyKat states, the magazine doesn't seem to know who its target audience is (i.e. upscale, politically savvy, middle-or-the-road, city dweller/suburban, etc.) The political and investigatory writing is still top-notch. This state has a lot of problems and the magazine does not try to simply gloss them over. However, some (ok, many) of the 'fluff' pieces leave me wondering why they were included in the first place. Like ducksquat, I also dislike having to stop an article in mid-paragraph to hunt down the continuation on page 97.
I travel throughout the state and appreciate the restaurant reviews and cultural 'to-do' lists. I also enjoy the mix of current and historical events. I also very much like Kinky Friedman's Last Roundup (I think I'm in a minority, tho). The annual Bum Steer Awards are usually worth the subscription price alone.
My biggest gripe is with the 20to 30-page 'special advertising section' every single month. What used to be a onceor twice-a-year occurance is now in every issue. I know we (the subscribers) don't keep magazines afloatthe advertisers do but still...The magazine at times looks (and smells) like my wife's Vogue.
Overall, Texas Monthly is a good magazine. The state is so big (physically, culturally and politically) that I am sure it is hard to find a good balance of articles every month. Other than the politics-only rags like the 'Texas Observer' and the usually horrible 'city' magazines ('D' or 'Inside Houston') TM is all we have; they usually put out a good magazine. Changes in ownership and editorial staffs over the recent past have slightly changed the magazine's direction every couple of years, but I like the current editing team. And, Texas Monthly keeps winning awards.
Consider my, dusksquat's, copykat's, Karen's, and Sheila's reviews before buying a subscription. Then subscribe anyway.
On february 2005 I went to Houston for a week, and I had heard of Texas Monthly, so I picked it up at the airport when I got there. It was a pleasant company during my laundry at the hotel I have to say! Beautifully designed, with interesting and thought-provoking articles. I am glad I got it, so glad I even got me a subscription. Highly recommendable.
I can say you will always read deep, interesting articles in subjects that, even though they can be Texan or about situations set in that state, always are of universal interest.
Of course, there's the comprehensive "Around the State" feature that tells you about all sets of activities going through TX, from sports to ballet, music to art shows. Another mainstay is the Dining Guide, with authoritative reviews of restaurants. They will rotate the reviews, and you might find a recipe of your interest often.
The semi-editorial "Behind the Lines", mostly written by Paul Burka, might tend to discuss either Texas politics or media issues. It's worth a read, because it's always beautifully written.
And there are the columns, from the likes of Patricia Kilday Hart, Don Graham, Sarah Bird, and Oscar Casares, from many others. You'll see they will always discuss politics, or art, literature, or their life's experiences.. Or just trying to be plain funny. Bird is not as funny as her predecessor, Governor hopeful Kinky Friedman, but she's well on her way. Casares' pieces are always about his dealings with being a English-speaking Hispanic from the border.
The "Texas Monthly Reporter" is interesting, deals with (yet again) a Texan subject but almost certain to catch everyone's eye: be injured soldiers or a small-town coach who was fired (and her life turned into a misery) because of her sexual orientation.
Skip Hollandsworth, Mimi Swartz, S.C. Gwynne, and many others, will give you features that, in the time of my subscription so far, have been varied and never dull: Dan Rather, the power struggle over Methodist Hospital and Baylor University, Violence in Nuevo Laredo, the unsolved 1960s murder of Irene Garza, Texas road trips, a socialite who paid time in the state penitentiary for ripping off high-end department store Neiman Marcus...
The topics are so many and even though the first mention of them would not probably make you interested, read on because the quality of the writers and the way they research their subjects, are sure to keep you reading on.
And don't forget to check the Texas Monthly Talks section. Editor Evan Smith sits down and chats to interesting people, from Lance Armstrong to many others.
The photography? Top-notch. They have been able to afford the luxury of hosting names like Mary Ellen Mark, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, just to name a few.
It has always made me wonder why this isn't a national magazine, certainly it's better than many others who are distributed across the US. Well, you can always pick up a subscription.
Pros: Great articles, photography; comprehensive dining guide.
Cons: Too many advertising sections, the perfume samples make it look like Vanity Fair.
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I have somewhat mixed feelings about this magazine, as I can not tell to what type of audience this is truly meant for. The articles are hard hitting, and well written. I can not dispute that. Sometimes I simply don't find them all that interesting. I enjoy the restaurant reviews, its helpful knowing of a few good suggestions when traveling, or even locally. I find the advertising in the magazine to be a bid auspicious as it seems to cater only to those high members of society that are in serious need of spa treatments and an occasional face lift. Maybe its tough finding advertising, but I find that it takes away from articles about our local government and issues.
I do feel this is totally worth the subscription price, and you are bound to find 12 dollars of reading in a years time :) This might even be a good gift idea from someone that is no longer in the area.
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As a Texan, I find it refreshing to read this fine magazine. It keeps me up-to-date with the happenings in my state whether political, sports-related, recreation or any number of things. There are just as many opinionated editorials as there are factual-based articles and no punches are held back in trying to keep Texas looking like a flawless state.
I have lived around the country and it certainly helped me to keep my feet rooted in my native state. Since then, I've returned, though temporarily. It now serves me well to give me ideas of things to do, see and experience.
My main qualm with the magazine is that there seems to be as many if not more ads than stories and images. In addition, I'm not quite satisfied that many stories are continued towards the back of the magazine. This merely means that if I don't hold my place, I'll have to strive to find it again.
It has been said that everything is big in Texas and the size of the magazine is certainly filled with enough reading material to keep you busy all month long. I have yet to read a rehash of stories such as a 1,000 different takes on the Alamo. If a story is "rehashed," it is from a totally different perspective so that the magazine never stays stale. Besides that, a fun read for all who have any interest at all about what this former independent country is all about!
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If you like a magazine about a conservative state written in east coast liberalism, here's your magazine. The editorial staff has never seen a liberal it did not like or a conservative it did not hate. Conversely, all the advertisements smack of money if you don't have any, don't bother. Not worth the money, even with a discount. And I'm a Texan saying that.
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This magazine has gone from a unique, wonderful and one-of-a-kind magazine to a forgettable, can't-decide-on-a-style, vehicle for the over-blown ego of deMontravel, its self-involved-gotta-have-my-hand-in-every-article editor. I had saved every single issue of this magazine from the late 90's until it's demise under her "leadership".
