Hello, this will be the third time in the last many years that I've received, and read, UR on a regular basis. I agree with most of the other reviews. However, what I find most outstanding about the magazine is how uplifting, and ultimately positive, it is. I subcribe to several dozen web sites, from the media from around the world, most of which are far left of "liberal." While I take everything that I receive, through all forms of media, with a very large "grain of salt," I do tend to put much more stock in what I read on the web than I do in what the mainstream media feeds us, especially that from the U.S. Therefore, as a result of that reading, I often feel sorrow, rage, cynicism, and/or depression. Utne's positive spin on issues, even when the subject is inherently distressful, inspires me, as almost no other form of media does (except, sometimes, music), to rise up out of any negativity that I may be indulging in, and take positive steps toward helping to make our world a better place for us all. For that, I am very grateful to everyone who is responsible for such a fine magazine. Thank you, Utne.

I love Utne Reader. A friend gave me an issue several years ago and I've subscribed ever since.

When people ask me about it, I say "it's sort of like Reader's Digest" with lots of articles that have already been published in other publications. The difference is, the Utne staffers search through little known and not so common magazines for their stories. It should also be mentioned that Utne picks a topic for each issue. Here are some past topics:

Imagine the America You Want March/April 2003 (Issue 116)
The Future of Healing May/June 2001 (Issue 105)
Great American Sellout November/December 1999 (Issue 96)
Gender blur September/October 1998 (Issue 89)
The future of love November/December 1996 (Issue 78)

You can buy past issues as well.

Utne is a forward-thinking magazine with liberal viewpoints. This may put people off. I find it refreshing.

UTNE is a publication we got hooked on back in late '89.

We jokingly refer to it as the thinking readers Readers Digest, since the articles aren't "feel good" but are articles that are meant to make the reader think. Articles that come from a variety of other publications and cover a plethora of issues and topics.

It is a magazine that I find myself re-reading and re-reading past issues for months or years ago. And yes the publication is liberal or at least alternative lifestyle mode.

I've been a subscriber of UR for about 12 years - most of the time since the mag. has been in print. As someone said, it's sort of a 'Reader's Digest for liberals', or possibly another good tag is UR's own subtitle 'the best of the alternative press'. But that still doesn't completely describe UR. Yes, it has a lot of articles culled from all kinds of other magazines, big and small, but it also has good original feature articles. Every issue (every two months) has a 'centerpiece' of a particular topic with several articles on that topic. There are also always interesting articles on all kinds of things, which was led me to read about things that I probably wouldn't have otherwise (Atlantic Monthly has done the same thing for me many times, but I only have so much time to read!).
I'd highly recommend Utne Reader to intelligent, literate people who want to read news and articles on all kinds of things - political, environmental, social, economic, entertainment (the list goes on). Unlike a lot of media, UR doesn't have an American-only viewpoint, either. It's also fun. While many articles are on some serious topic, many are more fun, too, such as jump-starting your creativity, places to travel, etc.
Believe me, there is so much in every thick issue that you wouldn't want this magazine to come out every month. Check out an issue!

UR consistently packs their pages with quality and diverse material.

Their feature subjects are covered comprehensively and from several viewpoints. Other articles might not receive such thorough treatment, but still provide much food for thought. Every issue is a opportunity to learn something new.