COVER
Is This Detroit's Last Winter? (The Well / Cover Story)
After 30 years of poor cars and worse management, the Big Three want Uncle Sam's help. Does that make sense?
Detroit-Three Math
How can GM, Ford and Chrysler survive?
NATION
Obama's New World Order (The Well / Nation)
Obama's national-security team has talent, experience — and a tendency to disagree on major policy issues. Can it work? Keep an eye on the 6-ft. 5-in. general
ESSAY
Stimulus Nation: Pump It Up
Everyone says we need a huge stimulus package. Fine. But let's not pretend there's no cost
After the Horror (The Well / World)
In the wake of the terrorism in Mumbai, India has no good options. Nor does the U.S.
WORLD
A Blue Christmas at China's North Pole (Postcard: Dongguan)
Dongguan produces a vast amount of the toys that will end up under Christmas trees around the world. Or it did, until all the factories there started to close, leaving thousands of workers out of luck
When the U.S. Leaves, Will Iraq Strut or Stumble? (The Well / World)
Will Iraq strut or stumble after U.S. soldiers leave? Dangerous times are ahead for cities like Kirkuk
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Person of the Year
TIME asked prominent individuals whom they would choose for 2008. The nominations continue
Person of the Year? Cast Your Vote!
BRIEFING
The Moment
12|02|08: Venice
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Verbatim
A Brief History Of: The Bowl Championship Series
Do the Right Thing
Pop Chart
Odetta: Soul Stirrer, 1930-2008
The folk singer and civil rights icon is dead at 77
Jorn Utzon
Milestones
LETTERS
Inbox
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Essence of Clint Eastwood (Movies)
In Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood brings his iconic character full circle
The Princess Diaries (BOOKS)
Carrie Fisher's memoir about being famous, drunk and crazy, all at the same time
V.S. Naipaul's Other Life (BOOKS)
A biography of V.S. Naipaul asks, What can and should be sacrificed in the name of art?
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
BUSINESS
Should the 401k Be Killed? (The Well / The Curious Capitalist)
A few scholars and politicians think its time has passed. They may be right
In Michigan, Still Waiting for the Renaissance (The Well / Economy)
In Michigan, the death of the auto industry has been going on so long, it's become a way of life
SOCIETY
Ditch the Cookbook: iPhone as Kitchen Helper (Life / Food)
Recipes go mobile on the iPhone and other handhelds
Hi, How Are You? My Name Is Cutout Dissection.com (Life / First Person With:)
Cutout Dissection.com, animal-rights activist, 19
A Free Boxing Lesson With: Oscar De La Hoya (Life / Sport)
Video: A Free Boxing Lesson with Oscar De La Hoya
The Dec. 6 pay-per-view bout with Manny Pacquiao has been dubbed "The Dream Match." Oscar de la Hoya takes time out from training for a private boxing lesson
Meet the Bitty Viddies (Life / User's Guide)
New high-definition camcorders are tiny enough to fit in your pocket. And they're (relatively) cheap too
De-Cluttering Your Mailbox (Life / Going Green)
All those catalogs and credit-card offers kill a lot of trees. But new websites can help reduce unwanted snail mail
SCIENCE
Dying for A Drink (The Well / Environment: Planet in Peril)
Our watery world is drying up fast. There are ways to save what we've got, but we must act--and act fast
SPECIAL SECTION
Tech Pioneers (Tech Pioneers)
Grass to gas, antibody "kits," smart pills — this year's crop of WEF Tech Pioneers could change our lives
Virent (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
It's turning biomass into gasoline. How quickly can it scale up?
NovaTorque (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
The humble electric motor gets a major makeover--and gives green new energy
Proteus Biomedical (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
The maker of internal sensors wants to monitor your health from the inside out
MorphoSys (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
An antibody erector set could turn the tide against autoimmune diseases
JiGrahak (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
Its ngpay platform turns cell phones into shopping malls
ATT Advanced Track & Trace (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
Encoded IDs help foil thieves and counterfeiters
Business Books (Also In This Issue)
There is no management tome more loved--or dismissed--than this simple tale of mice and men forced to negotiate a new paradigm. Why is