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The Atlantic is, IMO, an excellent and approachable publication today, however, as a regular reader, I must note that they still let the pompous and pedantic flag fly in the book reviews that appear in the final pages of each issue.

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If I may ask, what are the best features of the Atlantic (from what do you derive the most value)? I am thinking about a subscription.

I am a subscriber and what I like most is that the articles are long, full of detailed reasoning behind any policy they advocate for, and mostly non-partisan. When they argue for or against something (say business regulation), they don't make sweeping generalizations (all regulation is bad! corporations are bad!), but rather are specific about where and when they would apply the policy, are careful to admit unknowns and limit their scope, give examples of the opposing view, and give detailed reasons for advocacy (as a opposed to general principles).

I personally want to vomit whenever I read the WSJ or the Nation -- both full of smart people who are true believers -- I think true believers are the bane of rational conversation and social progress.

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