Is This Detroit's Last Winter? (The Well / Cover Story)
After 30 years of poor cars and worse management, the Big Three want Uncle Sam's help. Does that make sense?
 Detroit-Three Math
How can GM, Ford and Chrysler survive?


A New World Order (The Well / Nation)
Obama's national-security team has talent, experience--and a tendency to disagree on major policy issues. Can it work? Keep an eye on the 6-ft. 5-in. general


Stimulus Nation: Pump It Up
Everyone says we need a huge stimulus package. Fine. But let's not pretend there's no cost

After the Horror (The Well / World)
In the wake of the terrorism in Mumbai, India has no good options. Nor does the U.S.


Postcard from Dongguan (Postcard: Dongguan)
Battered by the economic slump, Chinese toymakers are closing up shop--leaving frustrated workers out in the cold. A blue Christmas at China's North Pole

When the U.S. Leaves, Will Iraq Strut or Stumble? (The Well / World)
Will Iraq strut or stumble after U.S. soldiers leave? Dangerous times are ahead for cities like Kirkuk


Person of the Year
TIME asked prominent individuals whom they would choose for 2008. The nominations continue
 Person of the Year? Cast Your Vote!



The Moment (Briefing)
12|02|08: Venice

The World (Briefing)
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

Verbatim

A Brief History Of: The Bowl Championship Series (Briefing)

Do the Right Thing (Briefing)

Pop Chart

Odetta: Soul Stirrer, 1930-2008 (Briefing)

Jorn Utzon (Briefing)

Milestones


Inbox

The Essence of Clint Eastwood (Movies)
In Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood brings his iconic character full circle

The Princess Diaries (BOOKS)
Carrie Fisher's memoir about being famous, drunk and crazy, all at the same time

V.S. Naipaul's Other Life (BOOKS)
A biography of V.S. Naipaul asks, What can and should be sacrificed in the name of art?

Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK


Kill the 401(k)? (The Well / The Curious Capitalist)
A few scholars and politicians think its time has passed. They may be right

In Michigan, Still Waiting for the Renaissance (The Well / Economy)
In Michigan, the death of the auto industry has been going on so long, it's become a way of life


Ditch the Cookbook: iPhone as Kitchen Helper (Life / Food)
Recipes go mobile on the iPhone and other handhelds

Hi, How Are You? My Name Is Cutout Dissection.com (Life / First Person With:)
Cutout Dissection.com, animal-rights activist, 19

A Free Boxing Lesson With: Oscar De La Hoya (Life / Sport)
 Video: A Free Boxing Lesson with Oscar De La Hoya
The Dec. 6 pay-per-view bout with Manny Pacquiao has been dubbed "The Dream Match." Oscar de la Hoya takes time out from training for a private boxing lesson

Meet the Bitty Viddies (Life / User's Guide)
New high-definition camcorders are tiny enough to fit in your pocket. And they're (relatively) cheap too

De-Cluttering Your Mailbox (Life / Going Green)
All those catalogs and credit-card offers kill a lot of trees. But new websites can help reduce unwanted snail mail


Dying for A Drink (The Well / Environment: Planet in Peril)
Our watery world is drying up fast. There are ways to save what we've got, but we must act--and act fast


10 Questions for Ron Howard (10 Questions)
Frost/Nixon, by the child star turned Oscar-winning director, is out Dec. 5. Ron Howard will now take your questions


Tech Pioneers (Tech Pioneers)
Grass to gas, antibody "kits," smart pills — this year's crop of WEF Tech Pioneers could change our lives

Virent (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
It's turning biomass into gasoline. How quickly can it scale up?

NovaTorque (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
The humble electric motor gets a major makeover--and gives green new energy

Proteus Biomedical (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
The maker of internal sensors wants to monitor your health from the inside out

MorphoSys (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
An antibody erector set could turn the tide against autoimmune diseases

JiGrahak (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
Its ngpay platform turns cell phones into shopping malls

ATT Advanced Track & Trace (Global Business / Tech Pioneers)
Encoded IDs help foil thieves and counterfeiters

Business Books (Also In This Issue)
There is no management tome more loved--or dismissed--than this simple tale of mice and men forced to negotiate a new paradigm. Why is the best seller of all time?