Vol. 171 No. 4
COVER
Breeding is easy, but survival requires romance too. How our brains, bodies and senses help us find it
The Science of Romance: Why We Flirt (The Science Of Romance / Flirting)
That smile! That glance! That rapt attention! We flirt even when we don't need to. And that can be good
Star Pairs (The Science Of Romance / Couples)
Celebrities in love are just like the rest of us--except in all the ways they aren't. That explains why we can't look away
Marry Me (The Science Of Romance / Marriage)
Say yes, and you're in for more than love, children and a home. Better health and a longer life are part of the deal
Are Gay Relationships Different? (The Science Of Romance / Gay Marriage)
Why gay couples have more equality and less tension at home--but still split up more often than straight pairs
Crazy Love (The Science Of Romance / Derangement)
Our partners may be obsessive, possessive, even dangerous. There's a reason we stick around--often at our own peril
Love Letters (The Science Of Romance / Letters)
A peek at what real people write when they're falling in love
We Just Clicked (The Science Of Romance / Matchmaking)
Online matchmaking sites in the U.S. are eyeing millions of singles in China, India and beyond. Will love translate?
Wildly In Love (The Science Of Romance / Animals)
Humans aren't alone. Romance appears to roam among animals too
Young Love (The Science Of Romance / Young Love)
Romance is a grand pageant. Your debut may not come until you're in your teens, but you spend a childhood rehearsing
Romance Is An Illusion (The Science Of Romance / Essay)
Could something that feels so real be a mere trick of the mind? Sure, when the survival of the species is at stake
Love Lines (Observations)
TO OUR READERS
Romance makes us giddy芒聙聰or flat-out crazy. Our science team breaks down the chemical, sociological and evolutionary reasons
NOTEBOOK
A Rare Iraqi Accord (Briefing / World Spotlight)
Verbatim
Strange Peace (Briefing / The Moment)
Why Bush's Middle East mission included arms deals and tough talk
Status Quo Congress (Briefing / Washington Memo)
The Man Who Stood on Top of the World (Briefing / Appreciation)
The Page (Briefing)
Milestones (Briefing)
Briefing
NATION
Jitters about the economy deliver a victory to Mitt Romney in Michigan. Why pocketbook issues will dominate the race ahead
Breaking Down the Black Vote (The Well / Campaign '08)
After squabbling over race and civil rights, Clinton and Obama finally call a truce. But as the Democrats head into South Carolina, each will have to find a way to win over black voters
The Right Shade of Black (Campaign '08)
Some black leaders want Obama to prove his racial loyalty. But his eyes should be on a bigger prize
ESSAY
McCain has staked his career on talking straight. But this year voters want details too
Cool Running
It's a miracle that double amputee Oscar Pistorius can compete. Is it also unfair?
Rethinking Iran (The Well / Commentary)
The U.S. needs a sustainable policy for dealing with the Islamic republic. Here's what it would look like
WORLD
Women can be elected to parliament, but six years after the fall of the Taliban less than 30% of girls are enrolled in schools. Their absence could be Afghanistan's next crisis
Kentucky Fried Rice (The Well / World)
Yum Brands' expansion into China shows that in the global economy, it's not what you sell but how you sell it
Postcard: Managua (Postcard: Managua)
Forget civil war. The next big challenge here is how to get anywhere in a city without street names or addresses. Navigating the nameless roads of Nicaragua's capital
SCIENCE
It was America's original suburb. Now it is aiming to become a model of environmental innovation
BUSINESS
It may already be upon us, and it could be painful. But it's not the biggest economic issue in town
Banker of America (Profile)
Kenneth Lewis brought calm to the rattled financial industry by agreeing to take over Countrywide. But he doesn't want to save banking--just dominate it
SOCIETY
Why kids are the latest consumers of pricey designer clothing and accessories
Give Me That Old-Time Singing (Religion)
Once America's most popular religious music, Sacred Harp is being revived by urban hipsters
Your Own Personal Paparazzi (Life: Living - Religion - Going Green / Living)
Want to feel like a celebrity? Just hire people to follow and photograph you for a night
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
King's New Realm (Arts: Culture - Books - Downtime / Books)
He's moved to Florida part-time. Can the horror writer put a chilly spin on the Sunshine State?
Jesus Christ's Superstar (Arts: Culture - Books - Downtime / Tuned In)
Whereas past Evangelicals have railed against pop culture, Mike Huckabee glories in it. But can his act cross over?
(Downtime)
PEOPLE
He's brilliant at portraying neurotics of all kinds. But the multitalented director, whose new movie is Cassandra's Dream, swears he's actually quite normal. Woody Allen will now take your questions