COVER

The New Patriotism (Cover Story)

Americans honor their country in dramatically different ways. Why those differences can make America stronger

The War Over Patriotism (The Well / Cover Story)

The two parties have starkly contrasting views of what it means to love your country. Can they be reconciled?

Specials

Five Great Reads on Patriotism

Here are five books that tackle the meaning of patriotism head-on

McCain and Obama on Patriotism (Cover Story)

How the candidates define their love of country may help determine the election's outcome. TIME asked each for his view of the meaning of patriotism. Here's how they responded

McCain and Obama on Patriotism (Cover Story)

How the candidates define their love of country may help determine the election's outcome. TIME asked each for his view of the meaning of patriotism. Here's how they responded

ESSAY

Kill Your Air Conditioner (Commentary / In the Arena)

Solving the energy crisis requires sacrifice. For the good of the country, we should be sweating

Give the Girls a Break (The Well / Viewpoint)

What the Gloucester "pregnancy pact" may tell us about changing attitudes on abortion

The Oil Follies? Our Fault

Forget speculators and the Saudis. When it comes to the price of oil, we have only ourselves to blame

Pirating Axl Rose's Record (Commentary / The Awesome Column)

Fourteen years to make, 10 minutes to download. How Joel got Axl Rose's lost album

Track-by-track

Read Joel Stein's full review of Guns n' Roses long awaited album

BUSINESS

BRIEFING

Sweet deal. (The Moment: The Everglades)

How buying out Big Sugar is a first step in reconciling with the earth

SCIENCE

WORLD

Afghanistan: A War That's Still Not Won (The Well / World)

For the first time in five years, more soldiers are dying in Afghanistan than in Iraq. A look at the struggle to secure one vital province shows why the fight against the Taliban is deadlier than ever

Photos: The Challenge of Helmand

A British unit plays cat and mouse with the Taliban in a strategically vital province of Afghanistan. Photographs for TIME by Zalmaï

SOCIETY

And God Said, "Just Do It" (Life / Religion)

Churches are urging spouses to have hot sex (body massage and oral sex encouraged) — and lots of it

Fill Up on Flavor (Life / Fit Nation)

You don't have to binge on fattening foods to feel satisfied. Smart menu selection and clever seasonings can make even the healthiest meals feel like indulgences

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Joyce Carol Oates Goes Tabloid! (Books)

In her 37th novel, My Sister, My Love (Ecco), the best-selling author is inspired by the still unsolved JonBenet Ramsey crime.

LETTERS