I had subscribed to the American Scholar for many years for the fine essays. I've let my subscription lapse now that the new editors have dumbed the magazine down. I can't imagine who they're trying to appeal to. The current issue's recourse to Kitty Kelly was the straw that broke the camel's back.

There was much discussion when the American Scholar changed editors in 2004. The first issue under the new leadership, however, continues the tradition of consistenly high quality essay writing. Contrary to what another reviewer suggests, they have not morphed this publication into a current affairs journal. While there are a couple of articles about Iraq, which might not have been there in the past, other articles include: why software doesn't make sense; why Jeremy Bernstein never finished his New Yorker portrait of Jacques Brel; moderns trends in teaching and analyzing literature; and an historical review of inagural addresses. If you like essays on off beat topics, try an issue.

The first issue under the guidance of its new editorial staff showed what the PBK board must have had in mind. The magazine has adopted now a current-events bent, in place of the more insulated material that many found so appealing before. Photos are now part of the format- not good photos, or color photos, or anything like that, just waste-of-space photos. Oh yeah, in a nutshell, the pen is gone from the cover. The changes bring a once-great journal down to a level of mediocrity that results from trying to compete in a game that is not their own. I will not be renewing.

The American Scholar is the magazine I've always wanted. Superb essays, superb poetry. My thanks to Anne Fadiman.