I search for magazines that will stimulate me intellectually.

I’m impressed with FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

I’ve seen this magazine many times, and I’ve noticed it referenced by some very smart people on many occasions. But, I’ve never purchased a copy because I was afraid it would be just TOO wonkish and inaccessible to me. I realize my own limitations, and I try to find a balance between detail and readability.

But, I was searching for something new to read at our local bookstore TATTERED COVER not long ago, and I decided to give this one a try. I’m sure glad I did because I’ve read almost every article in this issue and was deeply impressed by every single one. FOREIGN AFFAIRS is published bi-monthly by the Council on Foreign Relations. www.cfr.org

The first thing that struck me about the layout is that the text font is rather large. This makes it less intimidating to me. I’ve found that if the type face is too small I find it unattractive and unapproachable. This magazine has hit the mark with me in that regard. Also, they aren’t afraid of using graphics appropriately. Once again they’ve found that balance between nothing but words, words, words, and going overboard towards an over emphasis on pretty pictures.

But, that’s all superficial. What is ultimately important is the content, and in this regard they excel. I’ve never been one to purchase and read what I would call “fluffy” magazines. I’m not much interested in the cult of personality, and the whole celebrity obsession thing is repellent to me. I’ve always been far more attracted to substance over style, and that’s why I’ve subscribed to HARPERS, THE NATION, THE ATLANTIC, MOTHER JONES, and other such magazines. Because I want to be exposed to other views, I frequently purchase issues of THE AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE, THE WEEKLY STANDARD, and THE NATIONAL REVIEW. As a Democrat “liberal” I find myself disagreeing with the views put forth in them, but I’m not one to solely listen to the peanut gallery either. Choirs get on my nerves.

I think the reason I like FOREIGN AFFAIRS is because I’ve read things in this magazine that I’ve never read anywhere else. The articles that stand out are WILL THE U.S. REPLAY JAPAN’S “LOST DECADE”? - THE ARAB WORLD IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY - and THE PRECEDENTS FOR WITHDRAWING FROM IRAQ.

Each of these articles is well written, informative, thoroughly researched, written by experts, and provides perspectives that aren’t readily available in most news media outlets. In every issue FOREIGN AFFAIRS gives space to a variety of views, and they don’t seem to have either a predominately “conservative” or “liberal” view. I really like that.

I know that this won’t appeal to everyone. But, if you enjoy reading very thought provoking and exceedingly intellectual magazines I highly recommend you pick up an issue whenever you see one.

I’m very glad I did.

They have an excellent website as well:

www.foreignaffairs.com

~ SamSez