Choosing a reference volume in the magazines, textbooks, and reference space usually comes down to one question: are you buying for research, for the shelf, or both? The 1995 first edition of *Popular Religious Magazines of the United States*, edited by Mark Fackler and Charles H. Lippy, sits right at that intersection.
Quick verdict: At USD 32.59, this hardcover is a reasonably priced entry if you want a clean, readable reference rather than a collector-grade example. The pages are clean and tight to the binding, which matters for a book you plan to consult repeatedly. The visible wear-a curved spine and a small smudge on the bottom right of the text block-keeps the price realistic and means you should not expect a pristine shelf trophy.
Who it suits: Reach for this volume if your research touches American religious history, print culture, or periodical studies. Because it is a first edition with a 1995 copyright and an ISBN of 9780313285332, it works well for library reference, for supplementary material in adult and further education settings, or for anyone curious about how popular religious magazines were organized and described in the late twentieth century.
What stands out: The editors' names are established in the field, and the hardcover format gives the one-inch-thick volume enough structure to hold up while you flip between entries. Condition is good, with no underlining or highlighting, so the text itself is likely free of marking. If you want a reference tool you can annotate in your own margins, the clean interior is a plus. If you prefer a pristine copy, you would want a less worn example.
Meaningful trade-offs: The main compromise is condition. A curved spine at the top and a small smudge on the bottom right of the text block are not major functional problems, but they are visible. That is why the price stays modest. Also, because this is a 1995 first edition, it reflects the scholarship and cataloging approach of that era. Some newer reference works may include more recent magazine titles or digital resources. If your need is strictly up-to-date coverage, a newer source would be better.
Bottom line: If you are comfortable with a well-read but clean interior and want a first-edition reference at a straightforward price, *Popular Religious Magazines of the United States* is a practical choice. It gives you the editors' curated overview without the premium attached to fine-condition collectibles.
Popular Religious Magazines of the United States (ed. Fackler and Lippy, 1995)
Listed at USD 32.59, this hardcover is in good condition with clean pages that remain tight to the binding. The spine shows a curve at the top, and the bottom right of the text block has a small smudge. There is no underlining or highlighting, and the cover is clean and bright. The ISBN is 9780313285332, and it is a first edition with the United States as the country of origin. For someone studying American religious magazines, this is a solid, specific reference-provided the visible wear is acceptable.
