COVER
Ben Bernanke The 2009 TIME Person of the Year (Ben Bernanke)
The story of the year was a weak economy that could have been much, much weaker. How the mild-mannered man who runs the Federal Reserve prevented an economic catastrophe.
'Too big to fail is one of the biggest problems we face in this country.' (Ben Bernanke)
The Fed chairman sat down with TIME on Dec. 8 for a conversation about everything from the state of the economy to the contents of his wallet
Photos: How the Fed Works (Ben Bernanke)
U.S. monetary policy is guided by an independent government agency that can trace its roots to the administration of George Washington
Photos: The Chairman's Office (Ben Bernanke)
From one of the most rarefied rooms in Washington, Bernanke has overseen a rescue of the world financial system
Can General Stanley McChrystal Salvage a Faltering War? (The Short List)
Soft-spoken and intense, the top U.S. soldier in Afghanistan successfully lobbied the President for a surge in troops. Now all he has to do is salvage a faltering war
#3 The Chinese Worker (Person Of The Year / THE SHORT LIST)
At an LED factory in Shenzhen, TIME meets some of the young men and women — all of them migrants — who are fueling China's booming economic growth
How Nancy Pelosi Plays for Keeps (The Short List)
The highest-ranking woman in U.S. history (except for Oprah), she wields her power more effectively than any other House Speaker in modern times
Usain Bolt: The World's Fastest Man Carries a Nation (THE SHORT LIST)
The world's fastest man tests the limits of human performance and carries a nation in his wake
Fond Farewells
The lives and legacies of those who died this year
Persons of the Year (Also In This Issue)
Leaders, activists and icons look back on what the selection meant to them
People Who Mattered (Person Of The Year)
TIME picks 25 people who influenced 2009 for better or worse
TO OUR READERS
To Our Readers: The Good Banker
The recession was the story of the year. Without Ben Bernanke, TIME's 2009 Person of the Year, it would have been a lot worse
ESSAY
Joe Klein's Annual Teddy Awards (Commentary)
President Obama, Vice President Biden and the people of Iran are among those who deserve kudos for courage in 2009
And the Decade Goes To ... (Commentary)
Anyone can pick a Person of the Year. It takes a great historian to define the decade. Joel Stein picks Google's Sergey Brin and Larry Page for Persons of the Decade 2009
SPECIAL SECTION
Technology Pioneers Who Will Change Your Life (Global Business)
Meet some of the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers — and the innovations they are bringing to market
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Best Business Books of 2009
Sagas of Bernie and Ayn. A theory gone wrong. How the mighty fell into Wall Street hell
BRIEFING
The Moment (Special 2009 Edition)
The many Moments that defined 2009
Essential Top 10 Lists (The Year In Briefing)
The best biz deals, spiciest feuds, coolest gadgets, oddest news, nastiest breakups and more
Verbatim (Notebook)
Quotes and buzzwords of the year
Pop Chart (The Year in Briefing)
2009 Edition
Why It's So Hard to Name the '00s (The Year in Briefing)
Naming the 2000s
The World (The Year in Briefing)
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES OF 2009
LETTERS
Inbox (Inbox)
Letters of the Year