CURRENT ISSUE

October 2008

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Features

Stonehenge secrets

New Light on Stonehenge

The first dig in 44 years within the inner circle changes our view of why—and even when—the monument was built

Chapel of All Saints, San Luis, Colorado

The Secret of San Luis Valley

The discovery of a cancer gene among some Hispanic Catholics in southern Colorado supports the theory that they're descended from "secret Jews" who fled the Spanish Inquisition

Iran 1979 revolution

Inside Iran's Fury

Scholars trace the nation's antagonism to its history of domination by foreign powers

Frank Buckles proudly wears the French Legion of Honor medal

The Last Doughboy

He lied about his age to serve in World War I. Today, at 107, he says he feels an "obligation" as America's only living link to the great conflict

Fountain of the Four Rivers

Bernini's Genius

The Baroque master animated 17th-century Rome with his astonishing sculpture and architecture

Scrapped fishing boats in Fort Bragg

Farewell to the King?

For the first time there's no fishing for chinook salmon on the California coast. The search is on for why the prize catch is so scarce.

Departments

Indelible Images

The Cowboy in Winter

Gerald Mack lived the life—and photographer Sam Abell went along for the ride

Phenomena

Invasion of the Cassowaries

Passions run high in an Australian town: Should the endangered birds be feared—or fed?

My Kind of Town

Southern Comfort

Celebrated poet Mark Doty succumbs to Houston's humid charms

Presence of Mind

A Man of His Words

Of all the U.S. presidents, Lincoln had the best speechwriter—himself

From the Editor

Puzzlers

Stonehenge's purpose and a noble fish's demise

Letters to the Editor

Letters

Readers respond to the August Issue

Wild Things

Wild Things

Life As We Know It

This Month in History

October Anniversaries

Momentous or Merely Memorable

From the Castle

Life Lines

Around the Mall

Art of the Game

Paintings—and even tattoos—hold clues to solving a puzzle

Around the Mall

Jukebox

Musical Mudslinging

Q&A

Bonnie Erickson

Muppet designer Bonnie Erickson on puppet storytelling and inspiration

Around the Mall

Dark Knight

Scientists discover insect-eating bats may help sustain forests

What's Up

What's Up

The Last Page

Same Olde, Same Olde

Swiftboating George Washington