NATION

WORLD

Postmortem Anatomy of A Coup (The Russian Revolution)

The dramatic tale of how a handful of party hacks hijacked Soviet democracy -- until a popular revolt shattered their ill-hatched plans

Rising Star: The Man Who Rules Russia (The Russian Revolution)

Can Boris Yeltsin translate his populism into the kind of democratic leadership that his republic craves, or is he destined to rule by demagogic decree?

The Origins: Prelude to a Putsch (The Russian Revolution)

At first, Gorbachev tried to lick the conservatives by joining them, but that strategy led him, and the U.S.S.R., to the brink of the abyss

Upheaval: Desperate Moves (The Russian Revolution)

By burying the Communist Party, Gorbachev tries to seize the initiative from Yeltsin and slow his country's breakup. He may be too late.

SCIENCE

Big Bang Under Fire

New data about the cosmos have exposed some holes in the theory, but reports of its demise are exaggerated

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Teens: The Rising Risk Of AIDS (Health)

As the infection rate grows among adolescents, the debate over how to stem it snags on whether to urge safe sex -- or no sex

SOCIETY

Denim Goes Upscale (Fashion)

Designers are transforming the humble fabric into sexy, colorful party gear

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

BUSINESS

EDUCATION

LAW

Putting The Brakes on Crime

Tulsa tries an innovative therapy to straighten out young offenders: install them in a squad car for a few months

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

They Just Keep Rolling Along (Theater)

On sudden-death Broadway, what makes musicals like Cats and Les Miserables so durable -- and why do they last so much longer than hits of the past?

PEOPLE

Answering The Call of God: GEORGE CAREY (Interview)

In the 1990s From dealing with hostage takers to deciding whether to ordain gays, Archbishop of Canterbury GEORGE CAREY redefines his exacting job to suit the times

TO OUR READERS