COVER

Dark Money (Election 2012: Campaign Finance)

More than $200 million spent on this election came from faceless donors. A TIME/ProPublica report on how mystery cash is changing American politics

Outsmarting The Surge (Nation)

The devastating superstorm was a sign of things to come. How we can better prepare for a catastrophe-prone future

EDITOR'S DESK

COMMENTARY

Breaking the Deadlock (Worldview)

Taming a dysfunctional political system will be the next President's first priority

Closing Arguments (In the Arena)

We will not jump off the fiscal cliff. We'll be fine despite an unsatisfying campaign

FEATURES

25 Best Inventions Of The Year (The 25 Best Inventions Of The Year)

Robots, rovers and the rest of 2012's most important innovations, from the affordable to the extreme

THE CULTURE

10 Questions for Anne Lamott (10 Questions)

Best-selling author Anne Lamott on praying, undecided voters and her reading up on Honey Boo Boo

Call Me Maybe? (The Awesome Column)

I was hoping to be courted by the candidates. Alas, they know me too well

BRIEFING

Playing for Keeps (Health)

Smart-phone games could make health care more fun--and effective

LETTERS