COVER
The Story of Barack Obama's Mother (The Well / Cover Story)
Barack Obama's greatest influence was a woman most know nothing about. How her uncommon life shaped his worldview
NATION
PA. Gets its Political Close-Up (The Well / CAMPAIGN '08)
Second in a series Pennsylvanians are next in line to cast votes for Clinton or Obama. How they decide may foreshadow the election in November
Philly Politicos Kick it Old-School (Viewpoint)
Ward leaders in Philadelphia will get out the vote in the primary, just as Grandpop did
ESSAY
Petraeus Meets His Match (Commentary / In the Arena)
The general has made real progress in Iraq. But he doesn't have an answer for Barack Obama
TV Home Shows Learn to Love the Bust (Commentary / Tuned In)
Having soared with the housing bubble, TV home shows are now learning to love the bust
Writers Vs. Editors: A Battle for the Ages
Whtevr u say, Mike, but this hedlin didnt get editd and thts why it readz like this
WORLD
Zimbabwe's Opposition Leader Is This Close...Again (The Well / Profile)
Morgan Tsvangirai has been attacked and arrested for challenging Zimbabwe's despot Robert Mugabe. Now he may be on the verge of unseating him
China's Olympic Shame (The Well / World)
China's crackdown has emboldened critics around the world. Why Beijing is blowing it
GRAPHIC: 2008 Olympic Torch Relay
Postcard: London (Postcard: London)
Among the travelers at Europe's busiest airport are a surprising number of homeless--and they're not going anywhere. A night with Heathrow's down-and-out jet set
BRIEFING
Milestones
Verbatim
Numbers
The Reckoning. (The Moment)
As the Senate debates the war's future, the President confronts its cost
The Page
Briefing
Dashboard (Washington Memo)
People
SCIENCE
An Unlikely Refuge for Hippie Apes (Conservation)
Conservationists fear for the survival of the sociable, sexual bonobos, but an answer may be found in war-torn Congo
PHOTOS: Bonobo Eden
SOCIETY
On the Colorado Beer Trail (Life: Travel - Design - Sport / Travel)
Who needs Napa? Colorado offers fans of craft brews their own playland of tours and tasting bars
PHOTOS: Denver is Beer Country
Swinging for Female Golfers (Life: Travel - Design - Sport / Sport)
More golf clubs are being designed specifically for women. We put them to the test
1950s Furniture for Modern Babies (Design)
Parents are leaving the pastels behind and going for a more contemporary look in the nursery
BUSINESS
Don't Ditch the GDP (The Well / The Curious Capitalist)
Want to measure happiness? Great. Health? Swell. But don't ruin the best gauge we have of economic activity
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Reality TV Wants to Heal You (Arts: Television - Movies - Downtime / Television)
The current crop of reality TV is less about makeovers and competitions, and more about therapy
Hong Kong Kung-fu Stars Can't Be Stopped (Arts: Television - Movies - Downtime / The Big Picture)
Why Hong Kong kung-fu fighters Jackie Chan and Jet Li have outlasted a generation of Hollywood action stars
Ben Stein Dukes it Out with Darwin (Arts: Television - Movies - Downtime / Movies)
Ben Stein takes on the scientific establishment. Nobody wins
Charlton Heston: The Epic Man (Appreciation)
From iconic movie hero to gun advocate, Charlton Heston embodied both our grandest and our most ornery beliefs
The 25 Best Blogs 2009 (Web Watch)
5 Things You Should Know About (Arts: Television - Movies - Downtime / Downtime)
Three unusual women: one a prodigy, one pregnant and one made of polymer
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
The TIME 100
To help select the world's most influential people, previous honorees offer their nominations when asked, Who should be on this year's list?