COVER
The Global Ambition of Rick Warren (The Well / Cover Story)
How a charismatic Californian became the closest thing to Billy Graham — and why religion in America won't be the same
NATION
The Anthrax Files (The Well / Nation)
The FBI was on the trail of Army scientist Bruce Ivins for years. As investigators closed in, he committed suicide. But how credible was their case?
Have the Clintons Gotten Over It? (The Well / Campaign '08)
Strains between the Clintons and Camp Obama remain, and Hillary may demand a last show of respect at the convention
A Whole New McCain (The Well / Campaign '08)
After months of often feckless campaigning, the Arizona Senator has started throwing heat. What's behind McCain's hardball strategy
How America Decides (Campaign '08)
A TIME poll shows that Evangelicals are sticking with McCain. But they're not excited about it
ESSAY
Open to Debate (In the Arena)
The best way for Obama to defend against the McCain campaign's attacks is to start a real conversation
The Swing Voter (The Awesome Column)
She's old and Jewish and lives in Florida. How I think I got my grandmother to vote for Obama
In Dog We Trust
Picking a President is critical. And so is selecting a canine companion in the White House
Photos: Presidential First Dogs
Man's best friend has been a White House fixture since the Washington administration. A gallery of presidents and their pooches
WORLD
Why Africa Is Still Starving (The Well / World)
Despite years of food aid, millions are in dire need again. How the world's generosity has helped perpetuate a crisis
Ethiopia's Harvest of Hunger
In spite of its fertile farmland, the African nation still teeters on the brink of starvation
Postcard: Greenland (Postcard: Greenland)
Under the glare of the arctic summer, scientists drill through centuries of snow for clues about the future. The search for a polar tipping point
BRIEFING
A Brief History Of: Olympic Medals
Milestones
Robert Maheu
Pop Chart
China To Athlete Activist: Stay Out!
Three days before the opening ceremonies, Beijing revoked the visa of Joey Cheek, a former Olympian and Darfur activist. How badly can China bungle its own p.r.?
Verbatim
The Page
The Skimmer
The World (Notebook)
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Peter Rodman
SCIENCE
Solar Power Hits Home (Science And Society / Going Green)
As utility bills go up, new solar-panel financing is helping homeowners mortgage the sun
The War On Sweat (Science And Society / Social Norms)
Is the latest wetness protection coming on too strong?
HEALTH & MEDICINE
Giving Birth at Home (Health / Women's Health)
Amid high-tech interventions, old-fashioned labor is gaining appeal
Resistance Stretching (Health / Exercise)
Contract your muscles while stretching them and get a workout worthy of an Olympian
SOCIETY
Beer Pong's Big Splash (The Well / Society)
As a college drinking game goes mainstream, young fans are calling it a sport while some campuses and towns consider it a danger
BUSINESS
Keeping Score Against Scrabble (User's Guide)
The next round of online Scrabble
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tropic Thunder Brings Jungle Fever (Movies)
The summer's last big comedy sends up Hollywood, actors, war movies and possibly its own audience
Don't Hate It Because It's Beautiful (Television)
And shallow. And phony. That's what makes The Hills an entertaining escape
Balls of Fire (Books)
A love story about a burn victim and a delusional goth sculptor! It's so crazy, it just might not work
Sorrow Floats (Books)
For the heroine of this coming-of-age novel, surviving the prom is the easy part
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Appreciation)
The prophetic power and gentle touch of the man who could not be silenced
5 Things You Should Know About (Downtime)
Vampire love and star turns by Ben Kingsley and Melissa Leo