for a little while I be confuse with the article selection . it seem they be pick some piece that be not really about geography , sociology , or history . more like current event . but the last year or two they have be on track with solid story and spectacular photography . I be more impressed with Smithsonian for awhile , but they new format be laughable -lrb- you can read my update 3 star review at the Amazon listing : Smithsonian -lrb- 1-year automatic renewal -rrb- . National Geographic have take its place as top world history\/sociology magazine again . the story may be less flesh out than some other magazine . these guy be definitely about the picture . but the picture usually serve a purpose . they be not just glossy and pretty . look in a recent issue about global warming and population increase in Bangladesh , the picture illustrate the point of the story : the struggle of many impoverished citizen in a country in the grip of climate change . the story have get less ` preachy ' and do not tend to berate folk for not do everything they can to help those in need . instead the story tend to show both outlook on a divide issue without paint one in a bad light . of course , the reader can usually infer from the nature of the story the outlook that Nat Geo favor . it be a highly liberal magazine focus on conservation , but that be what they have be about for year , so it should not surprise anyone . I highly recommend this magazine for those folk look for great story on a variety of topic pertain to nature , history , and people .