superlative be hard to apply in a market as fractured as science fiction . be `` hard '' sf better than `` soft '' ? what about `` Space Opera '' ? and what importance be place on exact scientific accuracy ? therefore , it be impossible to pin down a single magazine as the `` best '' in the field .  however , for fan of character-driven and sociological science fiction , `` Asimov 's '' must surely be the top of the line . through the year it have enjoy a number of skillful and discriminate editor , and have foster the editorial career of professional who now edit other genre magazine . this title have be lavish with award , include the Hugo and the Nebula , for both its content and its management . it have the longest unbroken publishing history of any sf magazine currently in print . and its subscription number have be traditionally the strongest in the genre market .  that say , in the soft sf market of the last decade , the magazine have suffer . as advertising revenue have drop off and subscription have flag , the number of page have get smaller through the year , and there be fewer story as a result . the magazine have change hand twice in recent year . and , without Asimov himself at the symbolic helm , there have be a slight drift in theme .  in spite of all this , `` Asimov 's '' be easily the best buy in sf mag today . with story excellently choose by Gardner Dozois that at least stick comfortably within the genre , entertaining and illuminating essay by endure author Robert Silverberg , and informative , concise book review , this magazine cover the gamut of science fiction .  though sf have suffer in recent year , this magazine remain one of the strongest purchase available to fan and neophyte of the genre . enjoy with all compliment , and remember , there be another one come next month .