Customer Reviews

Weekly Standard

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been a subscriber to this magazine for close to a decade now, and it's one that I'm loathe to be without. The articles are short, pithy, and are just about always written in a single block - no "continued on p. 34."

I don't always agree with every article or opinion, and I know the magazine has the reputation of being a neo-conservative publication, but for keeping up with current events from the point of view of conservatives (and often Christians)it beats the rest.

My favorite features are "The Scrapbook" and Casual - both usually very funny. I also enjoy the "Books & Arts" section - it makes holding onto each issue worthwhile, as the reviews are so good that they're usually re-readable.

A subscription to this magazine is a treat!

Along with National Review, the Weekly Standard is one of the most popular and influential conservative magazines out there. While it tends to promote the same issues of NR (and even uses many of the same writers), the Weekly Standard tends to be the more partisan of the two. While NR often takes the more intellectual approach to the modern day issues, the Weekly Standard has always tended to go more for the gut. Both magazines, however, do an outstanding job promoting and defending conservative positions and, as a bonus, both can be wickedly funny. I especially enjoy the Weekly Standard's Scrapbook, a regular column where some of the more bizarre and inane actions of the left are given proper exposure. As well, the Weekly Standard's book and movie reviews are, at times, superior even to National Review's. As a magazine, the Weekly Standard is a must for conservatives and will probably be enjoyed by moderates (and perhaps even open-minded liberals) with a sense of humor. As for those you who are still bemoaning the results of the Florida recount and wishing Clinton could have had a third term -- well, I think Mother Jones is still looking for subscribers...

The Weekly Standard is not as strong as the National Review. That being said, it's tough to find much wrong with this magazine. Furthermore, as it is published about twice as often as NR, comparisons between the two are not just. As for editors, Fred Barnes is about as good as they get. He's a spotlight of cheer on Foxnews, and he is on these pages as well. Their book reviews are great and their parodies are the first thing you should turn to when you receive a copy (they're found on the last page). As for reporting, I can say without reservation that Matt Labash is the most entertaining investigative journalist in America today! I love his stuff and it's hard to resist telling your friends about all the things he observes while he's in the field. His, "Among the Puppeteers," was one of my favorites back in 2000. They have digital access for subscribers only and on Saturday mornings their site is the first thing I check for newsworthy articles.

I subscribe to both the National review and the Weekly standard and must say they are great at capturing the essence of conservative thought. The Standard comes out faithfully and offers solid opinion and analysis on all the week's issues; From the Al Quida Iraq connection (yes, there was one) to Sandy Berger's trouser troubles.

The Standard has an outstanding staff: Fred Barns (you can see him on Fox's spiceal report) writes and edits some of the best journalism I've seen. And the Standard offers fresh humor with parodies and cartoons. and it is under a dollar an issue; and worth every penny.

The Weekly Standard clearly has a conservatinve "bent." However, it is not the sort that screams, "This is the ONLY way to think about this topic." It is thoughtful commentary, delivered with well crafted writing. I come away from reading an issue thinking that I have been well informed.

Sorry, but I have to chime in, since actual conservatives don't seem to review this magazine. I'd hate for the Standard to become the "Conservative magazine for the thinking leftist."

This magazine is a taste of the conservative movement. It's a good way to ease into conservatism (and yes, they did comment on that whole Lewinski/purgery/obstructing justice "nonsense")

The first thing you'll notice about the Standard (and indeed most conservative publications) is how bare-bones it is. Very few full page photographs with two words ever grace it's pages. The pages contain plain text, thoughtful opinions from various authors. (The website even features Larry Miller-- among the funniest comediens who doesn't need the "f" word)

Conservatives and liberals alike will find enough to disagree with in this one (though the latter will have a harder time with it). I recommend getting the National Review/Weekly Standard bundle just to balance out the McCain worship from the Standard.

Its a good magazine that doesn't have hysterical or over hyped pieces. While I do not always agree with the conclusions of the writers, the magazine does what Time, Newsweek etc do not do. Make one think. I also applaud them for being honest and having articles taking the currant administration to task for failings and for being honest in challenging conservatives to get their act together. While William Kristol and Fred Barnes are often noted as being the most notable at the magazine I actually like other writers like John Simon, William Doino Jr, Vance Serchuk (who wrote a great review of a book I own The White Man's Burden Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good by William Easterly),John Podhoretz, Gerard Alexander. Now I know as far as subscriptions go the price may seem high. But I suggest you subscribe and then donate the copies to your local library. They will appreciate the gift. I also have to note that I really love the artists who do the covers and that as a subscriber I can also read issues online.

As a neo-conservative, I fit quite well within The Weekly Standard's ideological focus. However, the magazine's ideological orientation would not be enough to keep me focused on it if the prose and quality of the magazine were below par. Not so in this case.

The magazine will present articles and viewpoints that are not seen elsewhere. While most magazines will try (and fail) to give an accurate portrayal of every political opinion, the Weekly Standard will instead go into far more depth of many different conservative issues. Some of it has to do with politics (i.e., "Is California Golden for Bush?"), but yet others are far more focused on the ideological reasons for certain actions ("Why We Went to War").

Those who read The Weekly Standard are probably far more intelligent and educated than a typical reader of a general publication such as Time, which is quite liberal (and does not admit it!) and superficial to boot. You are choosing to read a magazine that gives your views more credence -- with facts, figures, and the authority of a great man, William Kristol, who founded the magazine.

It also has an excellent web site -- http://www.weeklystandard.com

-- Michael Gordon

You don't need to be a conservative to enjoy this magazine! (I am a Tony Blair supporting Briton, who reads it faithfully!) Both Fred Barnes and Claudia Winkler, the real power houses behind this magazine, make it lively, well-written and entertaining reading for people of all political persuasions, from ultra neo-con to British Blairites, and all shades of opinion inbetween. Even liberals should enjoy the excellent book reviews! Christopher Catherwood, British Blairite Evangelical Weekly Standard reader - and author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (a forbes.com bookclub selection in 2003)

I read part of the 'Weekly Standard' each week online. I do not know if that means I qualify to review the paper as a whole.
I find its articles informative and straightforward. There is a certain economy about the publication. It seems to me sometimes as if it is a kind of 'Wall Street Journal' in color.
I suppose one reason I do not take objection to it in any serious way is that I most often agree with its politics.
When I read its articles I feel I am getting the most for my money in the short time it takes me.