Maxim (1-year)

... this magazine is not just about sex and bad taste. It celebrates male life, and it does this without apology. Men have apologized far too much; the people who seem to think maleness needs to be "fixed" are maladjusted [people] who would never cut men any slack anyway, no matter how "sensitive" or politically correct men pretend to be, so men might as well party. Maxim is the technical journal of this attitude!

Maxim and some other men's magazines (like Men's Health) have discovered a formula that works to keep men reading: To-the-point articles thoroughly interleaved with humor and banter; lots of photographs and descriptive drawings; and topics ranging from sex and seduction to war and first aid. Lots of practical information and lots of truly excellent photos of sexy women that are not raunchy.

If I could only read one men's magazine, this would be it.


Is Maxim worth the time?   November 14, 2001
Brent P Cole (Florida, USA)
34 out of 42 found this review helpful

I honestly can't find a better magazine for men. Maxim takes into account the third-grade like attention span of most men, and combines it with the imaturity of what seems to be an all-men publishing force. While it may seem Maxim is marketed to the single man, I've found that most girlfriends and wives enjoy this magazine as well. The pictorials are decent enough not to embarass you on and airplane, and the articles contain enough substance to make you laugh, and intrigue you. In reality, if your life consists of middle-management, beer, and an interest in the pursuit of meaningless information, this magazine is for you!


From a woman's point of view...   August 15, 2003
Misty Patton-Stephenson (So Cal)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

As a female reader, I've always thoroughly enjoyed Maxim. Sure I have to get past the loads of pictures of half-nude women (although I must admit they're hard to ignore), but there's lots of funny, interesting, if not always useful and profound, content. As a guy's girl, I always get alot of laughs out of Maxim, it's sense of humor is right up my alley, and the type of humor I'll never see in a women's magazine! Not only that, knowing men like I do, it's funny to read these articles that are geared toward you guys. Take heart, losers everywhere, there's hope; there's Maxim.


What every guy needs to know...   October 30, 2001
Mark Savary (Seattle, WA)
103 out of 139 found this review helpful

Always interesting, MAXIM delivers information and humor aimed squarely at the male audience. MAXIM is a hip cross between MAD Magazine (off-the-wall humor), and a censored version of Playboy (lots of bare skin, but no naughty bits showing). The results are always side-splitting, if not informative.

Part of the humor comes from how dumbed-down some of the information is, just to make sure men everywhere can understand what the editors are trying to say (and they flat-out tell you, "Hey, we dumbed this down so you'd get the point, stupid!"). Anything real in the way of education or enlightenment comes sprinkled with jokes, and photos of scantily clad beauties to ensure capturing the attention of the male reader.

Besides humor, articles talk about exercise, fashion, electronics, cars, and sex.

A men's magazine for the over-18 age group, one can expect spicy pictures, a few naughty words, and other adult-slanted humor and commentary throughout. Probably not recommended for the conservative crowd.


5 Stars for Maxim   August 17, 2005
A. Carter (State of Confusion)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

First off I will state I'm a female. I enjoy reading Maxim. I don't care one way or the other for the females. The subscription is not mine but my male partners. I always look forward to him finishing a Maxim magazine so I can get my hands on it.

Maxim does not conform to the same humdrum boring articles that can be found in most any magazine. There is humor, wit, insight, and intelligence. Granted, most of it is dumbed down a bit so that anyone of reasonable intelligence should be able to comprehend and understand.

I won't deny that Penthouse and Playboy have some good articles. On occasion I can overlook the naked women to read a bit of one of those. Quite honestly if I wanted to see T&A I'd look in a mirror. As others have mentioned the women in this magazine may show some flesh but their "naughty bits" are usually covered.

I realize the "target audience" for this magazine is men. However I think there is a lot that women can learn from this magazine as well. Probably even many women who can appreciate Maxim magazine. While it may not show "naughty bits" articles many times are of an adult nature. Can't say I'd recommend letting children getting their hands on it.