COVER

The Broken Promise (Time In Depth)

A TIME investigation looks at how companies are leaving millions of Americans at risk of an impoverished retirement and how Congress let it happen

NATION

An Unholy Alliance?

A TIME investigation shows the lobbyist now at the center of a federal probe had a good friend eager to open doors at the White House: former Christian Coalition chief Ralph Reed

WORLD

In For the Kill

A U.N. murder investigation points the finger at Syria's ruling clan. An inside look at the forces that could lead to Assad's downfall

SOCIETY

That's Agritainment!

More family farmers are turning their homesteads into tourist attractions in an effort to turn a profit

SPORT

Every Year, a Miracle

This time it could be the White Sox, led by a loopy manager who showed a team of castoffs how to win

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

A Closet Obession (Time Bonus Section November 2005: Connections)

Got the granite kitchen? The great room is all done? Here's your next project

Ante Up, Ladies (Time Bonus Section November 2005: Connections)

As poker mania grips the nation, more women are mastering the game, applying their own life lessons to poker and the lessons of poker to life

Spin-Cycle Guru (Time Bonus Section November 2005: Connections)

Cheryl Mendelson spreads the gospel of doing laundry well--and loving it

Ain't That Sweet! (Time Bonus Section November 2005: Connections)

A slew of specialty sugars are taking chefs beyond brown and white

BUSINESS

How to Kick the Oil Habit (The Future of Energy)

As prices rise, the race for new energy sources--from wind farms to liquid coal--heats up. Get ready for the withdrawal symptoms

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Fade To Black (Movies)

As a troubled, lovelorn Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, Joaquin Phoenix proves he's an actor who can completely disappear into another person. If only he could find his way back out ...

Books: The Mao That Roared (Books)

A biography of the man who changed China paints an opinionated but vivid portrait of a brutal despot

6 Delicious Books for Cooks (Worth Your Time)

Whether you tend toward feasts or fry-ups, these TIME-tested manuals will help you have your fill

YOUR TIME

PEOPLE

LETTERS

BRIEFING

Trouble for the Flu Fighters (Notebook)

The end of federal funding for a disease lab may have serious consequences for scientists in poorer countries

Difficult Lessons (Notebook / Speed Read)

What do national test scores say about students?

Not Child's Play (Notebook)

The new children's pastimes updated for adult consumption