I finally receive a subscription to this amazing magazine as a gift , and I have read my first issue cover-to-cover over the span of two day . this month 's -lrb- February 2003 -rrb- issue include , among other thing , a essay on the inevitable doom that human will eventually face when we planet experience its next major cosmic collision . . unless , of course , we manage to annihilate ourselves via environmental , militaristic , pathological , or technological means , pre-empt the arbitrary extinction cause by a asteroid or comet .  every issue of Harper 's contain excellent essay , fiction , political discussion , and of course the Harper 's staple , such as the index . many of the story and essay win major literary prize such as the O'Henry award , and get include in high-profile anthology such as the \* best american \* series . certainly , for a writer , if you be choose to appear in Harper 's , you be at the pinnacle of you craft .  although the New Yorker , Atlantic monthly , and many other smaller literary magazine consistantly offer excellent content and visually please format , Harper 's seem to lead the pack -- maybe because of it be no-nonsense approach , limited advertising , regionally non-specific content , and diversity of topic . the fact that Harper 's be aid by a non-profit organization must contribute to its quality ; certainly any independence from advertiser can only improve the open-endedness and creativity that Harper 's excel in .