CURRENT ISSUE

August 2004

Features

Will Tuvalu Disappear Beneath the Sea?

Global warming threatens to swamp a small island nation

Leslie Allen

Let the Games Begin

Spectators braved all manner of discomfort—from oppressive heat to incessant badgering by vendors—to witness ancient Greece's ultimate pagan festival

Tony Perrottet

New Leash on Life

In an innovative program, prison inmates are raising puppies to be guide dogs for the blind

Christina Cheakalos

In Search of William Tell

Seven hundred years ago, William Tell shot an arrow through an apple on his son's head and launched the struggle for Swiss independence. Or did he?

Robert Wernick

Impressionism's American Childe

A new exhibition of works by Childe Hassam, a pioneering interpreter of the French style, highlights his "incorrigibly joyous" break with the past

Doug Stewart

Making Copies

At first, nobody bought Chester Carlson's strange idea. But trillions of documents later, his invention is the biggest thing in printing since Gutenburg

David Owen

Off to the Races

Before the American Revolution, no Thoroughbred did more for racing's growing popularity than a plucky mare named Selima

John Eisenberg

Departments

Indelible Images

Fallen Star

When Mary Decker crashed to the ground at the Los Angeles Olympics 20 years ago this month, a young photographer was there to catch the anguish

Nadira A. Hira

Phenomena & Curiosities

A Matter of Taste

Are you a superstar? Just stick out your tongue and say "yuck"

Mary Beckman

The Object at Hand

Token of Appreciation

A grateful Pomo Indian's gift to a friend exemplifies the brightest form of Native American artistry

Presence of Mind

Walden's Ripple Effect

One hundred fifty years after its publication, Henry David Thoreau's meditation remains the ultimate self-help book

Robert D. Richardson

Editor's Note