Frequently Asked Questions
| I am a long-time subscriber to the Commentary website and I am having trouble logging in.
You probably have noticed that we have changed our look. As part of the new design, we made some other changes as well: from now on, your username will be your email address, while your password remains the same as it was. If you have any questions or problems, please contact our customer-service department during normal business hours at 212-891-1394 or e-mail service@commentarymagazine.com. We will be glad to help. You will see that many new features have been added, with more to come soon. The online Commentary presence is now livelier, easier to use, more attractive to look at, more searchable, and more interactive than ever before. We are excited about our new look, and we hope you enjoy browsing, and using, the new commentarymagazine.com. |
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| What does my subscription include?
Commentary appears monthly, except for a combined July-August issue. A first-time print subscription ($29.95 per year) includes 11 issues of the print edition of Commentary PLUS full online access to current content (with registration), as well as a FREE 24-pack of articles from the complete archive of Commentary from 1945 to the present. An online-only subscription ($19.95 per year) includes 11 issues of Commentary in PDF format, as well as full online access to current content. |
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| How do I purchase articles online?
Please visit the Archive and follow the prompts links to purchase your articles using our secure credit- card payment system. |
| How do I order reprints of Commentary articles?
Reprints are available at a cost of $5.00 per article, which includes shipping and handling. You may request reprints of articles (from November 1946 to present) by calling customer service at: (800) 829-6270 or by e-mailing: service@commentarymagazine.com. You also may write a note containing your name, address, daytime phone number, date of the issue, name and author of the article, and a check or money order for the appropriate amount to: Commentary |
| How do I order back issues of Commentary?
Back issues are available for purchase (subject to availability) by calling customer service at: (800) 829-6270 or by e-mailing: service@commentarymagazine.com. The cost per back issue is $10. You also may send a request containing your name, address, daytime phone number, day and date of the issue, and a check or money order for $10 per issue to: Commentary Before sending in your order, please call (212) 891-1394 or write to service@commentarymagazine.com to confirm availability. |
| What is available in the Commentary Archive?
Articles, fiction, poetry, symposia, book reviews, and letters from Commentary's founding in 1945 to the present. |
| Is it possible to download an entire issue of Commentary?
Subscribers to the print edition and/or the online edition have the option of downloading entire issues of Commentary. The option "Download Current Issue" appears in the subscriber services section. |
| What are the minimum system requirements to get access to Commentary Online?
Commentary Online is compatible with Windows and Macintosh systems. We suggest that you use the most recent versions of either Netscape, Mozilla, or Internet Explorer. Mac users please make sure you are using the latest version of Safari. Adobe Acrobat™ is necessary to read articles from the Archive. The latest version of Adobe Acrobat™ may be downloaded here. A 56K modem Internet connection is a minimum requirement, however, a T1, DSL, cable or comparable high-speed connection is recommended. |
| Is there technical support?
If you encounter technical difficulties using our site, support is available during business hours. You can call (212) 891-1394 or e-mail service@commentarymagazine.com. |
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We suggest that you use the most recent versions of either Netscape, Mozilla, or Internet Explorer. Mac users please make sure you are using the latest version of Safari. Adobe Acrobat™ is necessary to read articles from the Archive. The latest version of Adobe Acrobat? may be downloaded here. |
| How do I download Adobe Acrobat?
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| How can I obtain better search results?
Be specific with your search terms. If your search is unsuccessful, refine your search terms. To narrow your search, use the advanced search page to fill in date range, author, headline, or subject fields. The more information you provide, the more precise your search results will be. To get more results, select different search words or a wider date range. Please consult our search tips for further assistance. |
| How do I browse articles that appeared in one specific issue?
On the advanced search page, use the date range option to select the specific date, and click the search button. |
| I am having trouble finding a letter to the editor. What should I do?
To get the best results when searching for a letter to the editor, choose "Letters" in the Article Type dropdown, and add a word or phrase describing the original article in the search box. Refine your search by choosing a specific date or narrow date range that begins after the original article appeared. |
| How do I access "RESERVE" articles?
Log in and choose the articles you want to "reserve." Then click on "customer service" at the top of the site, then click on "purchases & downloads." This page should show you all the reserve articles you captured. |
| How does Commentary handle errors and corrections?
When a Commentary article contains a factual error, we generally either permit an author to acknowledge and correct the record in response to letters from readers in a subsequent issue of the magazine or print an Editors' correction at the end of the Letters section. We sometimes also correct such errors in the html text of the online edition of Commentary, marking the correction with an endnote. The online pdf version is a faithful, uncorrected copy of the magazine as printed. |
| What does the recipient see when I forward an article?
It depends. If the article is free, meaning a subscription is not needed to view it, then the recipient will be able to view the complete article. If the article is archived or not free, then the recipient will only be able to view an abstract and must either log on (if he/she has a subscription) or purchase the article. |
| What if I have additional questions?
If you have questions after reading this page, please write to Commentary at any of the addresses on the Contact Us page. |














