COVER
The Top 10 Everything Of 2008 (The Well / Cover Story)
A comprehensive look back at the year through a collection of serious and not-so-serious Top 10 lists
Top 10 Oddball News Stories
Top 10 Viral Videos
NATION
Governor Gone Wild: The Blagojevich Scandal (The Well / Nation)
Lawyers didn't invent the insanity defense for guys like Rod Blagojevich, but it may soon come in handy
Franken vs. Coleman: Still Counting in Minnesota (The Well / Nation)
Ever since the recount was completed, the two campaigns have been fighting over crucial handful of ballots that are being challenged for one reason or another
Colleges Learn to Navigate the Credit Crunch (The Well / Education)
How higher education--and one liberal-arts school in particular--is grappling with the market meltdown
ESSAY
The Aimless War: Why Are We in Afghanistan? (The Well / In the Arena)
A trip to the front lines in Afghanistan shows why a surge of U.S. troops won't be enough to end the conflict
Black Gold: It's Time to Raise the Gas Tax (Commentary)
Oil prices are low. Too low. Let's finally impose a big energy tax and use the windfall to help create jobs
WORLD
Postcard from Warsaw (Postcard: Warsaw)
Wojciech Jaruzelski is on trial for the crimes of Poland's brutal martial-law era. But the old communist has some unlikely allies. Even some victims say he should be spared
Can India and Pakistan Lower Tensions Over Kashmir? (The Well / World)
The terrorist strikes on Mumbai have reignited a six-decade-old dispute between India and Pakistan, with worrisome consequences for the U.S.
BRIEFING
The Moment
12|08|08: Guantánamo Bay
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Verbatim
Smoking in the White House
The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008
Drawing Room
Pop Chart
Sunny von Bulow
Sci-Fi's No. 1 Fanboy, Forrest J Ackerman, Dies at 92
The editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, creator of the Vampirella comic book franchise, and the original Fanboy dies at 92.
Milestones
BUSINESS
Don't Say the D Word (The Curious Capitalist)
No, we're not about to relive the 1930s. But we may have to expand our economic vocabulary
SOCIETY
The Six-Figure-Job Hunt (Life / Careers)
With so many top earners out of work, there's more talent chasing fewer gigs. Here's how to adapt
Has Barbie Delivered a Knockout Blow to the Bratz? (Life / Toys)
After Barbie wins a court victory, the fate of the Bratz dolls hangs in the balance
Vertical Farming (Life / Going Green)
In a crowded world, high-tech hanging gardens offer a way to save land, water ... and the climate
Welcome Back, Spam (Life / Food)
Amid rising sales of the canned meat, TIME asks star chefs to concoct tasty Spam recipes
Tasty Spam Recipes
Try out these recipes from well known chefs
Permanent Birth Control (Life / Women's Health)
Skip the scalpel. Two minutes, two inserts--and your childbearing years are over
SCIENCE
The Happiness Effect (The Well / Science)
How emotions and even behaviors can spread like an epidemic
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Person of the Year
TIME asked prominent individuals, including former TIME 100 honorees, whom they would choose for 2008. The nominations continue
Person of the Year? Cast Your Vote!
SPECIAL SECTION
Cementing the Future (Global Business / Construction)
Architects are using stylish high-tech concrete to create beautiful--and greener--buildings
eBay Bids for Revitalization (Global Business / The Internet)
New boss John Donahoe is shaking up the onetime online growth machine
Feelin' Muji (Global Business / Top Business Teams)
How do you design by not designing? A retailer's quest for the ultimate in simplicity can be complicated