COVER
How Tom Hanks Became America's Historian in Chief (Cover Story)
With his new miniseries The Pacific, Tom Hanks tells the story of America's Pacific theater in World War II. How did this actor turned producer become our chronicler in chief?
Tom Hanks: America's Chronicler-in-Chief
Photos: The new mini-series, The Pacific, is the latest in a string of productions from the actor and producer illuminating America's past
ESSAY
The White House Scrambles to Tame the News Cyclone (Commentary / White House Memo)
Obama's advisers are trying to rewrite the rules of presidential p.r. to stay ahead of an unforgiving, 24/7 news swirl
My Oscar Thank You Speech (for Sound Mixing) (The Awesome Column)
One lucky Oscar-nominated sound mixer may deliver the greatest acceptance speech ever
Is There Too Much Worry About the Debt? (Commentary)
Paying off what we owe seems prudent. But it could also wreck America's economic future
Democrats on Health Care: Their Own Worst Enemy (Commentary / In the Arena)
Democratic incompetence has derailed health care reform. They might get a bill passed anyway
NATION
Should There Be an Animal-Abuser Registry? (The Well / Nation)
The California legislature is considering a bill to create a registry of animal abusers. But there might not be enough money to fund it
Photos: Inside the World of Eliot Spitzer
The former Governor attempts to rehabilitate his image
How Fundraising Helped Shape Obama's Green Agenda (The Well / Nation)
The White House has backed billions in public subsidies for green-energy technology. How fundraising and policymaking mix in the Obama era
WORLD
School Lunches in France: Nursery-School Gourmets
Forget soggy pizza and fattening nachos. French schools instill good eating habits in children at an early age. Even lunches at nursery schools are leisurely, gourmet meals
When the Earth Moves (The Well / World)
A fierce earthquake, followed by a tsunami, devastated Chile. But mercifully, the death toll there was far lower than it was in Haiti
Iraq's Messy Democracy (World)
The country is getting better at elections. But its leaders have not yet learned to compromise
Photos: Iraq Prepares to Vote
Posters proliferate as uncertainty hangs over the upcoming national parliamentary elections
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Tim Burton's Frabjous Alice (Movies)
Only this movie man-child could make such a free and frabjous Alice
Sundance for Squirts (Movies)
Kids' film festivals offer an alternative to studio movies. Sometimes they're also fun
Lone Gunman (Television)
Elmore Leonard's new series Justified brings an old-school western archetype into the 21st century
Angelology: Wings of Desire (Books)
A new thriller imagines a world where the children of humans and angels conspire against us
Ring Tones (Music)
Danger Mouse and the Shins' James Mercer break bells together
Joanna Newsom
The indie harpist talks to TIME about her new album, Have One on Me, and what happened when she lost her voice
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
SOCIETY
How Safe Is Your Cell Phone? (Life / Health)
Your mobile emits a tiny amount of radiation. Is that safe in the long run?
Cell Phones' Radiation Report Card
The amount of radiation emitted by cell phones varies from model to model, but all fall under the FCC-mandated maximum absorption rate of 1.6 watts per kilogram of body tissue. Here's a look at some of the highest and lowest emitters
Kickbike and Enjoy It (Life / Fitness)
Bicycle-scooter hybrids are low-tech, high-intensity
Urban Mushing: Dogs Pulling Kickbikes
Video: Mushers in Costa Mesa, California prove you don't need snow to dogsled, just a cart or kickbike and some enthusiastic canines
PEOPLE
10 Questions for James Cameron (10 Questions)
The Avatar director talks about the possibility of a sequel. James Cameron will now take your questions
LETTERS
Inbox (Inbox)
BRIEFING
The Moment
2|26|10: Antarctica
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Health Reform: Can the Democrats Cross the Finish Line? (Health Care Memo)
Can President Obama and the Democrats pull off their latest plan of using reconciliation to pass a health care reform bill?
Verbatim
A Brief History of U.S. Mail Delivery
U.S. Mail Delivery
The Skimmer
Book Review: The Death and Life of the Great American School System by Diane Ravitch