COVER
Tanned, Tested, Ready: John Boehner (Nation)
Yes, John Boehner plays a lot of golf. Yes, he has a deep tan. And yes, he hangs out with corporate lobbyists. But there's more to him than that. Meet the Washington insider who's leading the opposition
The Life and Times of John Boehner
Photos: From humble roots in Ohio to the halls of Congress, a look at the man poised to become Speaker in a Republican-controlled House of Representatives
ESSAY
The Republican Revolution: Real This Time? (Commentary / Worldview)
If congressional Republicans are truly serious about shrinking the deficit, they won't cut taxes
Ode to Arnie (Commentary)
The once preposterous candidate became a respected elder statesman. If he could do it, anyone can!
Joe Klein: Where Obama Goes From Here (Commentary / In the Arena)
Barack Obama is bruised. Republicans are sounding humble. Is that a recipe for partnership?
NATION
Hoping for Audacity (The Well / Nation)
How John F. Kennedy grew into the presidency, and what it means for Obama
Trailing Jack (The Well / Nation)
LIFE magazine dispatched a team of photographers to capture JFK's 1960 campaign, his family and his inner circle. Most of the thousands of images they produced have never been published — until now
Can the Tea Party Really Change Congress? (The Well / Nation)
The Tea Party is a revolt against Washington, against federal spending and against the Republican Establishment. But how much change can it really achieve?
WORLD
Why Zimbabwe's New Diamonds Imperil Global Trade (World)
New mines in Zimbabwe help keep the despotic Robert Mugabe in power and threaten to undermine global efforts to eliminate blood diamonds
Bombs On Board (World)
An al-Qaeda plot against the global cargo network reopens a debate on the cost of security
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A Review of Sarah Palin's Alaska (Television)
Mixing nature, family and politics, Sarah Palin's Alaska positions the Mama Grizzly in Chief for reality-TV fame
Sarah Palin's Reality TV Show
Photos: In Sarah Palin's Alaska the Mama Grizzly in Chief mixes nature, family and politics
127 Hours: Survival Instinct (Movies)
127 Hours is a heroic, harrowing tale from the director of Slumdog Millionaire
Stacey Schiff's Cleopatra: A Woman of Substance (Books)
A new biography peels away the myths about Cleopatra
Amy Sedaris on Why Arts and Crafts Are Recession-Friendly (Q&A)
The comic actress and author of Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People talks about crafts, the magic of resourcefulness and the joy of working with her brother, writer David Sedaris
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
SOCIETY
Kitty Prozac: Can Synthetic Pheromones Calm Your Pet? (Life / Pets)
Can synthetic, species-specific pheromones really soothe your pet? A cat owner's tale
White Truffles: Why They're Worth $2,000 a Pound (Life / Taste Of America)
October marks the start of white truffle season, the time of year when these rare mushrooms are showered tableside on dishes, signifying luxury to even the most jaded palates
Cell-Phone Safety: What the FCC Didn't Test (Life / Techland)
FCC guidelines on the safety of cell phones assumed that there would be a buffer between the device and your body. Gulp
PEOPLE
10 Questions for Stephen Hawking (10 Questions)
The renowned physicist has a new book, The Grand Design. Stephen Hawking will now take your questions
LETTERS
Inbox (Inbox)
BRIEFING
The Moment
11|2|10: California
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Lab Report: Health, Science and Medicine
Verbatim
Brief History: Female Heads of Government
The Skimmer
Book review: Deadly Spin by Wendell Potter
JFK Adviser Theodore Sorensen (1928-2010) (Milestones)
The last of the Kennedy old guard, Theodore C. Sorensen was a tireless defender of the 35th President's legacy