The Sorry State of American Health (Cover Story)
It's hard enough to make it to your own annual physical. In this issue, TIME takes the entire nation to the doctor

Why Reform's Moment Is Now (The Well / Cover Story)
Although it's no slam dunk, the President-elect's health-care plan has a fair shot at success

The Year in Medicine: From A to Z (Science)
TIME's annual alphabetical roundup of a sampling of those stories gives you an overview of the year behind and a hint of what might be in the one ahead


Why Obama Wants Hillary for His 'Team of Rivals' (The Well / Nation)
By considering Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, Barack Obama is trying to put together a team of rivals. But that comes with big risks

Rebooting the Right (The Well / Commentary)
The public has turned on the Republican Party. Here's how the GOP can become relevant again

The General (The Well / Profile)
Ray Odierno, the top commander in Iraq, turned the surge into a success. As U.S. troops start to withdraw, his job now is to make it last


Meet the Obamas! (Commentary / Tuned In)
The media's fall ratings hit is a retro family show with a distinctively 21st century cast

Too Much Information
The campaign turned us all into news junkies. But how many blogs does the world really need?


Postcard from Fayetteville (Postcard: Fayetteville)
This North Carolina city is branding itself as a sanctuary for U.S. military families. Why supporting the troops is also a shrewd investment

Rising From The Rubble (World)
Six months after China's devastating quake, a building frenzy is under way. But will survivors be allowed to face the past?


The Moment (Briefing)
11|18|08: Gulf of Aden

The World (Briefing)
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

The Skimmer (Briefing)

Verbatim

A Brief History Of: The Secret Service (Briefing)

Pop Chart

Mitch Mitchell (Briefing)

Pete Newell (Briefing)

Milestones


Inbox

Twilight Review: Swooningly True to the Book (Movies)
The film of vampire romance Twilight is Swooningly true to the book

The Fangirls Cometh
Think young men are the only moviegoers who can drive the box office? Several million Twihard fangirls beg to differ

Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, at Last (Music)
Axl Rose's $14 million 17-year obsession of an album is finally here. If only he'd let it go sooner

Billy Elliot: A London Musical Hit on Broadway (Theater)
The hit musical Billy Elliot leaps from London to Broadway, and loses only a little in the translation

Sol LeWitt's Dazzling Line Drawings (Exhibitions)
Sol LeWitt took conceptual art from dry to dazzling. Now his drawings have a long-term home

Short List (Short List)
TIME'S PICK FOR THE WEEK


Black Friday Is Looking Blue (The Well / Business)
Retailers are resigned to one of the worst holiday seasons in recent memory. They'll sweeten deals to lure reluctant consumers, but seasonal jobs--and service--may suffer

Don't Call It Bankruptcy (The Well / The Curious Capitalist)
The automakers are resisting Chapter 11. So what should we do with them instead?


Battle of the Fake Bands (Nerd World)
Two new music video games are wildly popular and almost identical. Which one wins?


Got Wind? (Going Green)
These days, the coolest eco-savvy accessory is a wind turbine for your home


Who Will Be Person of the Year 2008?
TIME asked prominent individuals, including former TIME 100 honorees, whom they would choose for 2008. The nominations are in
 Person of the Year? Cast Your Vote!



10 Questions for Magic Johnson (10 Questions)
The NBA legend's new book is 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business. Magic Johnson will now take your questions


São Paulo Sells Itself (Global Business / Megacities)
In banning most outdoor advertising, the city reveals its charms and its governability