A Premier Magazine In the World

The Reader's Digest is a premier magazine in the world, if not the most widely read, the most influential, the most popular, the best American ( U.S. ) magazine. For more 60 years, the Reader's Digest has informed, entertained, influenced the heart and minds of billions of men and women not only in the United States but many other countries in the world.

The Reader's Digest is published in 50 editions in 21 languages, in Braille, on cassette, in large print, and in a digital version. In 2002, The Reader's Digest is published in 48 editions in 19 languages, in Braille, in a Large Print for Easier Reading. An increase of 2 editions and 2 languages and the digital versions.

MY RD EXPERIENCE

My father, who was a minister or Preacher, read and subscribed to the Reader's Digest Magazine. He never threw away the old issues of RDs.
He filed them in shelves, in boxes. So when I was in high school, in college , I was exposed to good reading materials - The Bible, religious books and other reading materials, and The Reader's Digest- shelves and boxes of them ! I remember that three of my favorite sections of the RD magazine were: Word Power, Laughter is the Best Medicine ( now, Laugh ) and RD Condensed Book ( now, Book Bonus ). In the 1960's , there were no color TV. and b&W TVs were rare, no cable, cell phones, no video games. The entertainment centers in 50s, in 6o,s and even in the early 70s were movie theaters, drive-in movies lots and sports arenas and lastly but the least, the libraries. I preferred the libraries and the Reader's Digest magazine. All my English teachers in English Comp. and Literature required and gave quizzes on English vocabulary and one of their references was Word Power of the Reader's Digest. So the class must read the RD.

The RD's slogan in April 2008 is Life Well Shared. It has 3 regular Columns: (1.) OUTRAGEOUS ! by Carl M. Cannon. The author centered in this April issue on the economy- car, gas prices and the political scene. ( 2.) QUIRKS by Andy Simmons. Simmons starts his column- In This Corner and wrote about the husband and wife scene. ( 3.) Ask Laskas by Jeanne Marie Laskas. Laskas answers questions sent by the readers.


There are 12 Departments:

1. REACT - These are letters to the Editor.

2. ONLY IN AMERICA- This section features the unique American.

3. HEROES -- It features stories of the real-life heroes
of rescues.

4. @ WORK- All in a day's work. This section is composed episodes of work situations or experiences sent by the RD readers.

5. WORD POWER - My favorite quiz. It is composed of 15 vocabulary which the reader who answer the quiz selects one of the 3 probable answers. The answers is listed on the other page, The grades range from Poor, Good, or Excellent.

6. BODY / FUEL / BRAIN - This section answers or covers the common health problems and situations. For example in this April 2008, BODY discusses diet pill, cholesterol drug, ways to treat erectile dysfunction. The FUEL part includes Garlic: The raw truth, stay away from the cheeseburger, the peanut problem, and how to eat to avoid
asthma. The BRAIN part includes tips to avoid Alzheimer's disease and how Meditation and the art and practice of mindfulness can do wonders to your brain.

7. MAKE IT MATTER- This section features success stories especially in business entrepreneurship.

8. OFF BASE-( HUMOUR IN UNIFORM ) originally this section was titled HUMOUR IN UNIFORM. Sent by readers , humorous episodes or incidents in the U.S. military.

9. QUOTES- Examples to give an idea:
A) When in doubt, look intelligent.
B) Gotcha! I thought Europe was a country...Is France a country?
3) Cats regard people as warm-blooded furniture.
All from April 2008 issue of RD.

10. LAUGH It's the best medicine. Originally, it was titled -Laughter is the best medicine.

One example to make the reader laugh:

" Why did you leave your last job?"
" It was something my boss said."
" What did he say?"
" ' You're fired!'"


11. LIFE in these United States- This section is about humorous but annoying true-to-life incidents experienced by Americans in USA.

12. LAST LAUGH-

The last page of the April 2008 issue pictures ( Last Laugh ) a caricature or satirical picture of nondescript man/ patient in the doctor's office: his skin is snow-white, his head is looking upward, his hair is part of his beard, his stomach is located at his left arm.... and then remarked; " There's nothing wrong with you--you're a Piccasso."

Then there are Features in The Reader's Digest:

1. Conserve Your Energy- The case for being armchair environmentalist.

2. Funny Girl- Tina Fey talks about Laverne and Shirley, her favorite Stooge.

3. Lifeboat-- After her cruise ship sank in the Antarctic, one world traveler found herself on the ultimate adventure.

4. Ease On Down the Road-- How far can a gallon of gas go?


5. Giving Girls Wing-- A woman finds new life helping the children of Afghanistan.


THE SPECIAL REPORT in the April issue of the Reader's Digest is STRONG MEDICINE, an article about FDA, America's consumer watchdog questioned.

There are 4 other articles in this issue that are informative and functional.

The BOOK BONUS

RD features a condensed book entitled " Remembering Barbaro" is about a jockey, Edgar Prado, recalling Barbaro, America's favorite horse.

THE PRICE OF THE READER'S DIGEST

I paid my copy for $ 2.99. There is a special offer by RD.
For one year subscription - only $ 10 , a saving of $25.88- 72% off cover price. You can get the special offer card from the April 2008 issue.