Vol. 164 No. 22
COVER
Ingenious design. Entrepreneurial moxie. A world-changing vision of the future. The amazing SpaceShipOne has it all
Hi, Robot (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Safety Net (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Picture Perfect (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Film is dying, but shed no tears. The newest cameras are better than ever
For The Gardener (Coolest Inventions 2004)
There is beauty and passion in nature. Reward those who revel in it--up to their elbows
Cool Tech (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Three cheers for iPod mania! And that's only the start of our guide to the hottest, newest products in personal tech
Light Touch (Coolest Inventions 2004)
For The Adventurer (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Rain? Snow? Cold? Bring it on. The right equipment--and the right mind-set--is all you need
Dream Calls (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Today's cell phones shoot video, play music and organize your day. Ignore the sticker shock--most carriers offer fat rebates
Playtime (Coolest Inventions 2004)
From tiny digital tops to wily kung fu bots, kids get the darnedest things
Now Hear This (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Hot & Cold (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Over Board (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Kid Friendly (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Fire Fighter (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Cutting Edge (Coolest Inventions 2004)
For The Foodie (Coolest Inventions 2004)
These gifts for the gourmet say eat, drink and be merry-- with friends or on your own
Cook Smart (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Geek Gadgets (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Tech toys for those who, at work or play, spend most of their life in front of the computer
For The Kids (Coolest Inventions 2004)
We looked beyond the Gap, Wal-Mart and Target to find unique items for babies, tots and older kids
For The Domestic Goddess (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Personal and home accessories for the woman who likes to nest in style
Wet & Wild (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Fresh Ideas (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Screen Magic (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Home entertainment now goes way beyond TV. Are you ready to invest in a whole new experience?
Cool Games (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Friends! Romans! Oddball cosmic princes! In our ranking of 2004's TOP 10 VIDEO GAMES, you will meet them all
For Your Health (Coolest Inventions 2004)
More Music (Coolest Inventions 2004)
New ways to rock your world, at home or on the go
Hot Boxes (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Computers for every member of the family, full of power--and pizazz
Sporting Life (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Cool Gifts (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Who's on your holiday list this year? We scoured the Web and found lots of great stuff for kids, adventurers, gardeners, foodies and more. The season for giving is here--so get clicking!
Zoom Zoom (Coolest Inventions 2004)
Three dozen new creations, playful and practical, that we promise will amaze you
NATION
Behind the scenes at the Clinton library opening, as old foes praised one another
What We'll Miss and What We Won't
Four retiring Senators with 111 years of combined experience in Congress--Democrats Ernest (Fritz) Hollings of South Carolina and John Breaux of Louisiana and Republicans Don Nickles of Oklahoma and B
In Your Face at the CIA
Porter Goss says the CIA needs an overhaul. But is he fixing what's broken--or conducting a purge?
Where Goss Sees Trouble
The CIA's new director sees his job as making sure the agency gets smarter and faster after a string of embarrassing intelligence failures. But is Porter Goss a reformer, or does he just want to enfor
Condi Gets Her Shot
She argued the hard-liners' case on Iraq. But the next Secretary of State remains an ideological puzzle
WORLD
How severe stress is taking a toll on U.S. troops in Iraq--and what Washington is doing about it
Hiding In Plain Sight
Why Pakistan still isn't aggressively pursuing the ex--Taliban leaders living inside the country
A Shot Seen Round The World
A Marine fires on a wounded man in a Fallujah mosque, and the world asks: Was it a war crime?
SCIENCE
The universe seems uncannily well suited to the existence of life. Could that really be an accident?
SOCIETY
Many middle-class African-American students are scoring lower than white classmates. But it may be their parents and teachers who need remedial work
NOTEBOOK
... And Putin's Atomic Boast
A Deepening U.N. Scandal (Status Report)
Carmel Paints Art Into A Corner
The Debate on DeLay
44 Years Ago In Time (Milestones)
A Law Club For (Straight) Members Only
Chicks Rule
Verbatim
Numbers
Parsing Iran's Nuclear Threat ...
Fired Up Over A Gun Law
The Road To Palestinian Elections
BUSINESS
Can Kmart and Sears create a whole new kind of department store?
It's a Family Affair
Murdoch is battling Malone to keep a tight grip on News Corp.--and benefit heirs, if not shareholders
The Merger Mystery (Viewpoint)
Why companies cannot buy their way to greatness
The Meaning of a Dropping Dollar (Global Agenda)
And why you should never take a taxi from Heathrow into central London
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Oliver Stone's Alexander is a Greek war epic that somehow still seems to be about Vietnam
Keeping Up the Ghost (Music)
Singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley has achieved posthumous success on the strength of one song
And a Taut Account of a 1920s Race Trial Gets the Nonfiction Prize (Books)
Let's Talk About Sex (Movies)
At last, a love story for adults. In Closer, Mike Nichols explores the thrilling and damaging effects of passion
One Deserved to Win, the Other ... (Books)
The National Book Award for Fiction goes to a saga about a dictator
French Kiss (Movies)
A film that will wallop your head and heart
A Fantasy You Can Bring Home to Mother (Movies)
YOUR TIME
Sales of log homes are on the rise as Americans seek out a rustic lifestyle
How Safe Are They? (Health)
In a rare move, an FDA official openly attacks five drugs. Should you worry?
Purple Passion (Health)
Fewer Kids Are Having Kids (Health)
Drinking Danger (Health)
Virtual Schools for Jocks (Sports)
More high school athletes are taking online classes. Does electronic ed work?
From Cursed To First In 86 Years (Sports)
A New, Thirst-Quenching Odyssey (Living)
Recipe For Making Trouble (Living)
Getting The Royal Treatment (Sports)
SPECIAL SECTION
When we asked our wine critic to write about her favorite winter getaways, we counted on sandy beaches galore. Instead her surprising picks will thrill your taste buds and dazzle your senses. From Mor
Social Studies (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Generations)
In her new novel, Susan Isaacs explores the issue of class
Full House Again (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Generations)
A growing number of empty nesters are flinging open their doors to exchange students from abroad
Ask Francine (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Generations)
PEOPLE
Rough Meets Tumble
10 Questions For Billy Graham (Interview)
Q&A Freddie Highmore
Freddie Highmore, 12, is in Finding Neverland and will be in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
No, It's Your Turn to Clean Up (First Look)
LETTERS
ESSAY
Since Cheney won't be his heir, the President can spend his capital freely