From Amazon.com

Science rules the headlines these days, with new developments each week in genetics, astrophysics, computers, and medicine, and Discover is a great way to get a broad spectrum of science news. Designed for the general reader, Discover translates and interprets many of the same stories professionals peruse in Scientific American. Accessible articles on genetically engineered food, what's living in your pillows, real robots in action, and what makes a Stradivarius sing add up to a truly delightful family science magazine. Each issue brings to light new and newsworthy topics to stimulate dinnertime and water-cooler conversations beyond the mundane, and Discover spices the mix with puzzles, Web links, book reviews, and experiments for amateur scientists.
--Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (26)

My Window to Science.
Discover magazine regularly keeps me informed about a broad range of scientific fields. The articles are written and presented in an organized well-edited style, with some terminology but yet still readily accessible to laymen and the curious (you will not feel that you are presented information in a watered-down form). Discover can practically satisfy anyone's interest. In it you will find material on archeology, anthropology and human origins, physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry, genetics, neuroscience, psychology, zoology, medicine, and much more. Articles about politics, environmental conservation, and technology are commonly found in Discover issues as well.

As many magazines do, Discover has permanent sections devoted to a particular type of information such as "Letter" section at the beginning of the magazine with readers' feedback on previous issue, "R&D" where you'll find concisely written briefings on scientific research and developments, "Discover Dialogue" section with a prominent researcher discussing important issues, "Reviews" section for books, "Resources" that provides an additional information about topics that are featured in an issue, "Emerging Technologies, "Vital Signs" with ER-like stories and other departments. And last but not least, featured articles (usually 6 total) are almost always a pleasure to read and it should be the main purpose of buying this magazine in the first place. I should also mention good illustrations, graphs, and some average-quality photography that Discover offers to its readers.

You should shop around for a good subscription price. A good place to start is amagarea dot com that acts as a search engine for magazine subscriptions from various magazine sellers and re-sellers. $10 should be an average price for this particular subscription.

All in all I highly recommend Discover. I am also subscribed to Scientific American and National Geographic. Discover stays firmly with them on the same level.

Only magzine I always read cover to cover
Discover is well written well edited magazine for the scientificly curious. I like the format which covers news, papers and editorial statements. Discover is very readable and has topics that are both practical and theroetical in nature.

I love that it reports on all the sciences. As well it has a wide range of articles for many different levels of the scientific mind.

It challenges the reader but one can be farily non-scietnific and still read it. I us it as a sorce window into the sciences that I am not focused on such as biology and physics. But as well it has beautiful articles on chemistry and engineering. As well the issues are about interesting topics, which is on a genreal level. It is a great place to look if you want a genreal overview of new theories in the relm of science.

I like its dedicated sections like vital signs which are case studies about medical incidents.

As well I love the R and D news at the beginning. It is nice to see what is out there. The main articles are consise and not overwelming. As well you are often referred to article that are a priori and overwelming if you want to delve farther. I read each issue before the next one comes a rarity in the world of magazines.

Evolution
I was one of the charter subscribers in the early 1980's, and have watched this magazine go through a number of incarnations. All that other reviewers here say about the "People" approach, and the lack of pure science, is true...but it has always been true to a greater or lesser degree. I find the insight into issues as well as science interesting and informative. What has changed is the decidedly political tone the magazine has acquired in the last three years or so. This is dangerous for this reason: by the nature of the editorial policy, there is rarely hard science to stand behind the 'commentary' inbedded in an article. Highly contraversial issues, not infrequently, are presented as statements of fact. The tilt is 'green' and is most visible on issues involving the environment. Scientifically unproven but politically popular (with the readers, one presumes) sentiments and ideas are presented with token or no rebuttal and at times as unchallenged premises for some conclusion. This is not bad or good, but it isn't science-based debate and discussion, either. One begins to feel one is being 'educated' rather than 'challenged'. Sum: This is a magazine that will present a theory clearly and in English and is enjoyable to read...I still subscribe and will continue to...but not one that will make much effort to dispute or refute a theory that is editorially favored and/or 'reader friendly'.

Science without the Science
Discover is a very successful magazine, and it acheived that success with a formula that owes as much to the example of "People" magazine as it does to anything. It manages with cover all sorts of cutting edge stories without ever actually getting into the actual science involved. Instead, it concentrates on the people involved, the politics, the history... anything but the science.

Here's an example: A recent issue had an interesting piece on the physics of rocks skipping... expect it wasn't on the physics of rock skipping so much as it was on a particular fellow was was the world's champion rock skipper. Yes, there *was* a formula in a side bar that purported to describe the physics of a skipping rock, and some of the terms were even defined... but there was no explanation of the formula, or even any numbers. It was simple "Here's a formula. It's very impressive looking, isn't it? Now on to other things." And there was some history of how people looked at rock skipping, and even some allusions to how the physics of rock skipping had applications in understanding the physics of other phenomena. But what you couldn't find in the entire article was a single sentance that actually discussed the physics involved!

So what Discovery really is, is a magazine about science and scientists that doesn't actually have any science in it. And while there's a place for that sort of thing, if you're looking for actual discussions of science and technology that are still presented in a way that the educated non-scientist can understand, you'd be far better off with New Scientist or Science Week. And if a few equations wouldn't scare you off, American Scientist.

Excellent magazine
Just recieved my first copy and just love it! Easy reading without "dumbing down". ... Read more

Abstract

Articles deal with interesting people, places, customs, activities and nature on a worldwide scale.Also covers National GeographicSociety expeditions and discoveries.
... Read more

Reviews (44)

In Response to "International Geographic"
Not certain I understand the fuss about National Geographic covering so many international geographic topics and issues.

1. Hello! The magazine is the journal of the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY. (You think Scientific American won't cover the Nobel Prize because it is awarded in Sweden?)
2. Geography is about spatial analysis and scale. Geographic issues cannot be contained within a single formal regional border. (For example, can you really look at El Paso, TX, without investigating it's relationshiip to Ciudad Juarez right across the border?)
3. My family has been reading this magazine for 50 years. It has always covered the entire world, as "GEOGRAPHY" means 'a description of the world'.
4. What about newer features such as ZIP CODE, which covers in detail one single micro-region of the US.
5. To say that it should primarily cover the US is a surprisingly narrow, US-centric view of what really matters in the world. This is the point of view that explains the sad state of complete geographic knowledge in the US.

But enough of that. Still the best magazine, not just for us Geography majors, but for seeing how geography fits into the entire academic world. If you want to know how sense of space and place is related to physical and natural science, as well as politics, economics, anthropology and history, this is the best value for the money.

SHOULD BE CALLED INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC...
National Geographic, a glossy, first class publication, takes the reader on a tour around the world to new or far away places. It is broad in scope with well written, matter of fact articles on diverse subjects that are sure to appeal to armchair explorers everywhere. These articles are lavishly illustrated by beautiful photographs that augment the articles in a meaningful way. It is also a wonderful reference magazine for school children and the incessant projects that they must complete. This informative, though somewhat staid, magazine will appeal to those who are interested in history, animals, geography, science, other cultures, and exploration. It is not a magazine written with an eye towards adventure. For that one should look to Outside magazine.

Keeps the earth spinning
We have been subscribing to National Geographic for over 25 years. No other magazine covers such a wide range of topics, with consistently excellent photographs and journalism.

It is a useful reference guide for school projects, especially with the map inserts.

Being chock full of information has the downside of being very heavy. If every household were to simultaneously incinerate all the issues in their possession, not only would the cloud of smoke obscure the sun and cause another ice age, but the earth would suddenly be so light that it might float off its axis.

The moral: Save the Planet - hang on to your National Geographics.

In Depth Factual Stories, Brilliant Photographs
I have read issues of National Geographic that date back to the last century. In those early times the articles were often more sterile and factual, but still just as interesting. In many cases those articles are more interesting today, because we see the world of then through the eyes of the relatively objective viewers of then.

Geography covers more than just land masses and forests. National Geographic is not about "national," it is about our entire universe; National Geographic refers to "The National Geographic Society," rather than the breadth of coverage. In the decades that I have been reading National Geographic, articles have covered everything from the Earth's core, to the deepest oceans, to the people living on the land and the land itself, the mountains and skies above us, and the whole universe. Warning: if you are a creationist then I would avoid this magazine.

The breadth of the magazine is well matched by its depth. Articles in the last decades have covered genes, atomic science, microbial life, how remote sensing technologies work, lasers, frequencies, such as those that make up color and the all the invisible spectra, and so many more that it is impossible to list them in a 1000 word review. Virtually every major issue possible to be covered that is related to geography has had at least one article in Geographic, and thousands of not-so-major issues. There was even an article on holography!

The core of the magazine is still geography as we grew up believing geography to be. There have been articles on Lake Baikal, a wonderful trek through the still wild and swampy jungles of Africa, excellent articles on caves and national parks of all nations, glorious color pictures of undersea life and animals of all shapes, sizes and description, and the ever popular insects and arachnids, to name but a fraction.

National Geographic has always been famous for the pictures. A recent addition to the magazine has been a brief article describing a picture that did not quite make the cut for a featured article. The brief summary explains why the editor, writer or photographer was enamored of a particular picture, and why the picture was not used in the article. This article provides a wonderful insight into the marriage of photography and prose for each article in every magazine; a primer for would-be editors.

While National Geographic does have an environmental lean in reporting, it is remarkably balanced. The needs of affected populations such as fisherman, farmers, and people in general are reported alongside commentary on how people have damaged an ecosystem or caused the extinction of another species. There always seems to be a note of glee when the needs of ecology and the needs of people are in balance or when people have benefited from improving or guarding an ecosystem.

There are few adult magazines that I feel are sufficiently balanced in their reporting that I am comfortable providing unlimited access to children. While there are occasional articles that are quite bloody, which is to be expected when dealing with humans and animals, the blood is real and not staged. While I would not expose a very young child to such imagery, older children need to learn of the realities of the world. I remember when I was first exposed to National Geographic 40 years ago I found some of the images disturbing, but those same images helped prepared me for some of the harsh realities of life outside my home, my city, my country and even my solar system and galaxy.

National Geographic has been an important magazine in my life for about 40 years. I was fortunate to go to a high school with magazines that dated back more than 70 years, and spent many free hours reading those old magazines, with all black and white photographs. What an incredible perspective this magazine gives us on the world and how we and our knowledge have changed in the course of the last 100 years. What a wonderful way to discover those changes. This excellent and educational magazine is for those interested in people, science, geography, the world, and the universe.

AGAIN! National Geographic take a break! Put your feet up!
WOW! National Geographic AGAIN they do a terrific job on something! They do great, professional, and BREATHTAKING jobs on everything they do but this is the best of everything. I suscribed to this about two months ago and was very happy about their progress. I'm sure thousands agree with me that this is perefection and I'm surprised anybody or anything can do this much. Put your feet up National Geographic! You've done enough for thirty years!!!

Enjoy,
Jeffrey Alan Cote'

(brazilgamer_tacomawa) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Worth the price of admission...
This is probably one of the best magazines that you can subscribe to if you love any or all of the following: traveling, adventure, the outdoors, travel journals, great pictures of fantastic scenery or reading about any of the above. I have subscribed to this magazine for a while and there's never an issue that arrives in my mailbox in which I don't find at least one full article and two shorter articles that are enjoyable to read as well as informative. This magazine has inspired me to be even more adventurous on my next journey, whether it be domestic or international. But until, then, I can enjoy exciting travels vicariously through the authors of this publication. Kudos to National Geographic for really filling a void that "Outside" or "Backpacker" seem to leave.

National Geographic Adventure
I don't know what the person was thinking who reviewed this magazine (Jan 2004) and said he had cancelled his subscription of 15 years. This magazine only first began publication a few years ago. I have every issue and have loved and read every one. Adventure is the best of the National Geographic publications and is for those who are young or at least young at heart. Some of the articles are a bit sassy -- but just enough to make them fun!

Not what it used to be.
I have just cancelled my subscription to National Geographic Magazine after 15 years of membership. Regrettably the magazine has lost its former lustre and has become too americanized and too focussed upon 911 and the two wars in the middle east. I need a magazine that is truely worldly in scope and covers nature and cultural diversity. My search led me to three candidates: Geo Magazine - good but not available in english; Geographical - british, good but a little shallow; and finally I settled upon CNN Traveller - an excellent magazine to which I am now subscribed and is all and more than what National Geographic used to be. I just wish more publishers would give National Geographic some competition.

Paul

Must read for the experienced or wanna-be adventure traveler
Biking, skiing, running, canoeing, hiking, kayaking: you name it it has you covered. Great tips and ideas for your first or next adventure vacation to any corner of the globe. If you are serious about or seriously considering getting out of the house and living life, this magazine is a must read! All this and a great price too.

I travel as much as I would like so.....
I travel vicariously through National Geographic Adventure. A great magazine to sit, read and dream of an adventure. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

ENTERATE DE FORMA SERIA
Si,de forma seria que sucede en el resto del mundo!Bellisimas fotografias,buena redaccion.Transporta al lugar o tema del que se trata en el articulo.Es un revista que documenta sobre temas actuales y dice mas que el titulo. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

From the novice to the advanced lister; should appeal to all
This is one of the few magazines I read from cover-to-cover. Bird Watcher's Digest has something for everyone. They offer advice on how to improve feeder systems for individuals who enjoy backyard birdwatching. They provide informative identification tips for those trickier species for people who have just begun their journey into the feathered realm. Additionally, they have great authors & astounding birders, like Kenn Kauffman (who's both), who regularly write short articles for them. These should appeal to everyone at whatever experience level. The size of the magazine makes it easy to tote into the field so you can pull it out & read while waiting for that elusive rarity to show up for you to get a quick glimpse of before it dashes off to parts unknown again. I highly recommend this magazine. Besides, you can't be in the field all of the time & this makes the perfect thing to read on those cold, wet, rainy days when even the birds are smart enough to stay in-doors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Magazine!!!
I have been subscribing to BW for almost 3 yrs now and have loved every issue. They always strive to keep up with the seasons, i.e. migrations, plumages and nesting... I keep every issue I receive because they are really good reference materials.

I completely suggest this magazine to anyone who is a birdwatcher or just loves birds in general!!! ... Read more

Abstract

Feature articles on all types of wildlife, commentary and conservation news of note published for a number of American zoological societies and aimed at a general audience.
... Read more

From Amazon.com

Published by New York's treasured American Museum of Natural History, Natural History gives a monthly peek into current goings-on in the broad realm of natural history and science. Dinosaur buffs, world travelers, animal lovers, stargazers, birders, and history fanatics alike will find articles and photographs to pique their interests. Less weighty than its chief peer, National Geographic, Natural History takes the armchair traveler into the world of bugs, archeological excavations, and the rest of the universe. Without ever reading like a specialized journal, the magazine creates an intelligent and in-depth discussion of each topic, and articles are illustrated with photographs, drawings, charts, and maps. Perhaps because National Geographic covers so much cultural and physical ground, Natural History features more focused articles on scientific discovery. Still, it's a glimpse into a vast world, and a good substitute for a monthly visit to the Museum of Natural History. --Gilia Angell ... Read more

Reviews (3)

my oppinion
i enjoyed the magizine. it was also helpful in school. i learnt a lot from reading it

Excellent Articles
This is an outstanding journal. The articles are diverse, informative, and current. Other than possibly Scientific American, there is not better journal for the life sciences.

An earlier reviewer critized the journal for not using the metric system. Personally, I do not find this to be a problem with a journal which is primarly qualitative and not quantitative.

It an ok magazine
Having read a few copies of these magazine I'm left with mix feelings. I'll admit I'm tempted to subscribe - if only for the lovely pictures. On second thought I might be better off subscribing to National Geographic. I'll also admit the articles are well written and informative. The problem I had with this magazine is that it does not use the metric system! This might sound silly, but once your use to reading science magazines with it, reading one without it seems idiotic. ... Read more

Abstract

Articles on natural history and environmental concerns for an educated, concerned, activist audience.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Road Map to Adventure
Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is a great source for those who live in one of the greatest outdoor states in the country. From weekend getaways to week long excursions, you can find ideas and opportunities here. They have something for everyone. Wildflowers, Bird watching, Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Biking, Historic. If you live in Texas, and you're looking for an outdoor lifestyle, this is your magazine. Each issue has some of the most increadible photography you'll find in any magazine. ... Read more

Abstract

An environmental magazine which provides information, news and commentary on environmental issues.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Environmental Magazine
I recently subscribed to E! and the two magazines I have read have had some great articles.

Finally, Independent environmental reports
E is a publication I recognize for its solid reporting on key issues. But most importantly, it is the independence of the solid, in-depth special reports that is most valuable to me and my fellow environmentalists.

Not found in E are the typical political grunts and trite statements. I do not feel I am reading a political manefesto, or degrading my life by reading E. Just as important, when passing it on to others, I do not feel that I am an extension of some action group, but know that what I pass on is solid, quality reporting that take into account all sides of an issue. In addition to the solid reporting on an issue, E has expanded so every issue contains information on personal health, Green travel with a nice section on Green Investing that I found is truly effective for me.

Overall I give E four stars for content and ADD a star for remianing indpendent of "in-your-face" commentary. A true Time magazine quality for the environmentally concerned. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Sometimes its Ok, sometimes its not
I have read Bird Times many times. The articles are much less complicated than the Bird Talk magazine articles, which are fairly simplistic as well. I recommend that you look at the cover and see if there are any articles that you want to read. This magazine usually takes me 15-20 minutes to read, and that is if there is an interesting article. Fewer ads than Bird Talk.

bird lover's bible
This magazine delivers the most bang for your buck. It is very informative. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not about California
I was looking for a gift for friends who just to moved to California and love the outdoors. They are avid hikers and birdwatchers. I thought this magazine would be perfect, but-alas-the articles have nothing to do with California! The periodical is similar to National Geographic but written by a California association. The articles are well-written. However, the magazine is not as it is described here. I can't even imagine why they call it "California Wild." Extremely misleading.

Kept my attention and I have the attention of a 4 year old
Explained the life of all kinds of interesting creatures and how they interact with their surroundings. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautifully Illustrated & Informative
I really enjoy this magazine very much! The photographs are simply amazing, the articles are interesting & very well put together. It's nice to be able to see parts of Colorado in my own livingroom, & be able to decide where I'd like to venture to, rather than make a blind trip somewhere & be disappointed. The publisher also gives you the option of a free Hunting or Fishing guide to accompany your subscription. I can tell alot of time goes into the structure of this magazine. Kudos to the Publisher of this magazine! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

really is the best
I love turing people on to this magazine, they always love it, like I do!
Nature's Best is amazing. The design is incredible, the photography is never short of stunning. I like it better than National Geographic! Plus the company does great thigns for environmental protection and awarenwess. A beautiful magazine and great cause.
Anyone who loves beautiful photographs (without cluttered ads) and an allover high quality publication needs to check it out.

Showcasing Some of the Best in Nature Photography
Nature's Best is a quarterly magazine (4 issues per year) dedicated to showcasing the best in nature photography today. It's format is slightly larger than standard at 9x11 inches. Each issue is around 100 pages in length with almost no advertising. In addition to subscriptions, the magazine is funded by a handful of corporate sponsors, who account for the only advertising in the magazine, and that only amounts to a few pages.

Most of the space in Nature's Best is dedicated to photographs. Most of the photos are pretty large, some even spanning two pages. The paper is of a quality comparable to National Geographic and depicts the color and clarity of the photographs very well. Nature's Best seems to be dedicated to color nature photography; I have never seen a black-and-white photograph in the magazine. But I don't know if their policies actually prohibit black-and-white. A typical issue has 5 feature articles, which are comprised mostly of photographs, usually accompanied by descriptive essays. Subjects range from landscape to macro photography and from one end of the Earth to the other, so to speak. Both plant and wildlife photography are well-represented. There are also a few pages in each issue dedicated to conservation news, book reviews, contest and workshop announcements, interesting wildlife facts, recommended websites, and other bits of useful information relating to nature or nature photography.

Nature's Best Fall issue is different in content from the other issues, however. Nature's Best and Cemex (one of their corporate sponsors) sponsor an annual International Photography Contest that is commonly held to be one of the most prestigious nature photography contests in the world today. Every year, Nature's Best dedicates its Fall issue entirely to the winning photographs from that contest.

Nature's Best is eye candy for the nature lover and is a terrific publication for anyone who enjoys great photography. ... Read more