COVER
Detroit: The Death — and Possible Life — of a Great City (The Well / Cover Story)
Hubris, racial tension, myopic politicians and the woeful auto industry brought this iconic American city to its knees. The first installment of a yearlong look inside the once and future Detroit
How Detroit Lost Its Way
A look back at what brought this iconic American city to its knees
The Committee To Save Detroit
They're not really a committee — some of these people can get fairly crosswise with one another — but if Detroit is going to turn itself around, it'll happen because of the efforts of these locals and many others like them
Mayor Dave Bing: Can He Stop the Slide in Detroit? (The Well / Cover Story)
Mayor Dave Bing has been an NBA star and a steel magnate. His third career is by far his most challenging
A Day in the Life of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing
Photos: The former basketball player takes the reins of a troubled city
TO OUR READERS
Assignment Detroit: Why Time Inc. Is in Motown
For the next year, Time Inc. journalists will cover all aspects of the Motor City. Because the future of Detroit affects all of us
ESSAY
Family Ties: The Other Bill Clinton
In the battle between leading the free world and raising his child, guess which won?
Obama's Foreign Policy Needs a Domestic Boost (In The Arena)
How can Obama deal with his mounting foreign policy problems? By succeeding at home
NATION
Is Yemen the Next Afghanistan? (The Well / World)
How Yemen has become the latest haven for al-Qaeda
Photos: Conflict in Yemen
Videos released by the insurgents and the Yemeni government give two perspectives on a hidden war
Seducing Olympia Snowe: The Key to Health Reform (The Well / Nation)
The most important health-care bill in Congress bears the stamp of Maine's senior Republican Senator. But will she actually vote for it?
Freshmen Dems: Caught in the Middle on Health Care (The Well / Nation)
On health care, freshman Dems face a choice between their liberal leaders and more moderate voters
WORLD
Chicago's Olympic Dreams
Dreams of Olympic glory along Lake Michigan face protest and fierce competition. Can Michelle Obama save the day? Looking to 2016, the Windy City holds its breath
HEALTH & MEDICINE
What You Need To Know About The H1N1 Vaccine (The Well / Health)
At 5 a.m. on Sept. 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will launch its largest vaccine giveaway in decades. It's not the usual way influenza immunizations are distributed, but nothing about this flu season is normal
LETTERS
Inbox
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Entertainer (Movies)
Michael Moore makes the financial crisis an epic crime and an epic good time
Noble Failures (Books)
Sometimes mediocre books happen even to good writers like Nick Hornby and Lorrie Moore
Ghost World (Books)
The author of The Time Traveler's Wife returns with a gothic confection of identical twins and lonely spirits
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
BUSINESS
Thought Bonds Were Safe? Think Again (The Curious Capitalist)
Investors looking for safety have dived into bonds. They've got a surprise coming
SOCIETY
Brought to You by Twitter (Life / Technology)
More companies are paying tweeters to plug their products. Should you sell out too?
Fair Trade: What Price for Good Coffee? (Life / Food)
Fair Trade practices were created to help small farmers. But they may have hit their limits
SPECIAL SECTION
Eat, Pray, Love (Wellness / Nutrition)
Too busy to eat right? This pastor's family found a way, despite hectic schedules at work, school and church
Hula Hoops: From Child's Play to Real Exercise (Wellness / Fitness)
A few years ago, adults began picking up hula hoops for fitness. What might have been a passing fad has taken hold, with thousands of enthusiasts worldwide.
Hoopilates: Hula Hoop Exercise
A Brooklyn-based exercise instructor has brought hula hoops into her pilates practice. TIME joins her weekly 'hoopilates' class
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Heroes of the Environment (Heroes of the Environment)
From saving wild mountain rivers in China to measuring the Arctic's icy expanse, from protecting the lush forests of Africa to conducting a feisty online debate, our green heroes are informed by this simple notion: We can all make a difference
Green Roundtable (Time 100 Roundtable)
Smart cars, organic farming, sustainable energy — these are all areas that we explore in our second TIME 100 roundtable. Three of our honorees talked with editor Rick Stengel about the future of the green revolution
BRIEFING
The Skimmer
Book Review: The Clinton Tapes by Taylor branch
Brief History: Missile Defense
The Moment
9|22|09: New York City
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES