3 ms·

Couldn't disagree more. They are so far above Maxim, FHM, Men's Fitness and other trashy magazines that it's not even funny. A lot of times their writing is abs

by zavulon 16y ago

Couldn't disagree more. They are so far above Maxim, FHM, Men's Fitness and other trashy magazines that it's not even funny. A lot of times their writing is absolutely spectacular. In particular, works by Tom Junod, A.J. Jacobs, David Granger, Chris Jones are always worth checking out. Here's a link to some of their best stuff: http://www.esquire.com/features/page-75/greatest-stories http://www.esquire.com/features/page-75/greatest-stories And the best thing is, they haven't lost any of their greatness over the last 75+ years - this was one of the best magazine stories I've ever read: http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310 http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310

corin_ 16y ago
I think perhaps I explained my view badly. Spectacular writing, completely agree, that was the point I tried to make with "but for stories like this, few publications tell them better", and that's why I do subscribe to Esquire (both print, UK edition, and iPad, US edition). However, there is a lot to Esquire magazine that I really don't like, and that is really very comparable to Maxim, FHM and so on. A few examples: - 'Women We Love' (an excuse to show semi-naked pictures) - The 'How To...' guides in the middle of the magazine. A couple of examples currently on their website are "How to Get Some on February 14th" and "How to Have Sex in the Car" (and even the boring topics like "How to smile" are generally badly written and fairly pointless). - The 'Tough love with Tanya Gold' that appears each month.. And I dislike how much it tends to be aimed at middle/upper class people, from the adverts to the content. I'm not sure how much of that is because this is their actual audience, and how much is because their actual audience wants to feel like they are higher in society than they are. For example, I question that the people spending £10,000s on a watch are also going to buy a bottle of £25 whisky, yet you don't see cheap watches advertised, or expensive whisky. Note that, while it may be cheap whisky, it's still whisky - you won't see beer advertised by them, that's for poor people! Ultimately, Esquire mixes trashy with attempted high brow with some superbe content - and I hope that, like me (and I assume you), there are more readers who subscribe for the great content than there are who subscribe because they want FHM-style content while feeling good about themselves. Somehow, I doubt that's true.
- khafra 16y ago
  Interesting audience--is there a magazine you know of that aims at the opposite demographic? (I'll take a 1979 Port Ellen and a Casio G-shock any day).
  - corin_ 16y ago
    I can't stand cheap plastic watches, but certainly I'd chose a £100-£500 watch and good scotch over a Rolex and a £30 bottle from the supermarket :) I've never tried Port Ellen, how is it? Shall add to my list for future bottles. If I can tempt you away from Islay to Speyside, get yourself a bottle of Glenrothes some time, even their cheap stuff is surprisingly nice.
    - khafra 16y ago
      I do like Camdhu and Tamdhu; I'll have to give Glenrothes a try. I highly recommend Port Ellen 30; it's the only "ghost whisky" I've tried, but it certainly invoked a feeling of saudade that such a rich taste will be lost to history. I'd put the taste somewhere between Talisker and Oban.

by zavulon 16y ago

corin_ 16y ago

I think perhaps I explained my view badly. Spectacular writing, completely agree, that was the point I tried to make with "but for stories like this, few publications tell them better", and that's why I do subscribe to Esquire (both print, UK edition, and iPad, US edition). However, there is a lot to Esquire magazine that I really don't like, and that is really very comparable to Maxim, FHM and so on. A few examples: - 'Women We Love' (an excuse to show semi-naked pictures) - The 'How To...' guides in the middle of the magazine. A couple of examples currently on their website are "How to Get Some on February 14th" and "How to Have Sex in the Car" (and even the boring topics like "How to smile" are generally badly written and fairly pointless). - The 'Tough love with Tanya Gold' that appears each month.. And I dislike how much it tends to be aimed at middle/upper class people, from the adverts to the content. I'm not sure how much of that is because this is their actual audience, and how much is because their actual audience wants to feel like they are higher in society than they are. For example, I question that the people spending £10,000s on a watch are also going to buy a bottle of £25 whisky, yet you don't see cheap watches advertised, or expensive whisky. Note that, while it may be cheap whisky, it's still whisky - you won't see beer advertised by them, that's for poor people! Ultimately, Esquire mixes trashy with attempted high brow with some superbe content - and I hope that, like me (and I assume you), there are more readers who subscribe for the great content than there are who subscribe because they want FHM-style content while feeling good about themselves. Somehow, I doubt that's true.

khafra 16y ago
Interesting audience--is there a magazine you know of that aims at the opposite demographic? (I'll take a 1979 Port Ellen and a Casio G-shock any day).
- corin_ 16y ago
  I can't stand cheap plastic watches, but certainly I'd chose a £100-£500 watch and good scotch over a Rolex and a £30 bottle from the supermarket :) I've never tried Port Ellen, how is it? Shall add to my list for future bottles. If I can tempt you away from Islay to Speyside, get yourself a bottle of Glenrothes some time, even their cheap stuff is surprisingly nice.
  - khafra 16y ago
    I do like Camdhu and Tamdhu; I'll have to give Glenrothes a try. I highly recommend Port Ellen 30; it's the only "ghost whisky" I've tried, but it certainly invoked a feeling of saudade that such a rich taste will be lost to history. I'd put the taste somewhere between Talisker and Oban.