Table of Contents News of the Year by Mindy Belz Cover Story | A look at the stories that shaped the past year [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/news_of_the_year] In this issue: "News of the Year," Dec. 27, 2008 Features Dispatches Reviews Voices Features Our Great Recession by Mark Bergin News of the Year | Years of planting a new and false vision of the American Dream bore bitter fruit in 2008's harsh reckoning [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/our_great_recession] Fragile and unsafe by The Editors News of the Year | "Pakistan may be one of the single most challenging places on the planet" [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/fragile_and_unsafe] Russia's game of chess by The Editors News of the Year | Is the Russian bear coming out of hibernation? [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/russia_s_game_of_chess] Olympic gold by The Editors News of the Year | Michael Phelps wins record eight gold medals at Summer Games in Beijing [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/olympic_gold] Disaster and hope News of the Year | Hundreds have come to Christ following cyclone in Myanmar [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/disaster_and_hope] Movie angst by The Editors News of the Year | In 2008, blockbusters turned to the dark side [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/movie_angst] Exit strategies by The Editors News of the Year | Frustration mounts for Anglicans in and outside the United States [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/exit_strategies] Stem cells aren't embryonic anymore by The Editors News of the Year | Adult stem cells gain scientific popularity [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/stem_cells_aren_t_embryonic_anymore] Change most could believe in by Jamie Dean News of the Year | Barack Obama revived religious themes and overtook veterans on the road to the White House [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/change_most_could_believe_in] Departures by The Editors News of the Year | Notable deaths of 2008 [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/departures] Prisoner of pride by Jamie Dean Politics | Rod Blagojevich looks badly beaten, but is he yet broken? [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/prisoner_of_pride] Looking ahead by The Editors Looking Ahead | News to watch in the weeks to come [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/looking_ahead_0] Obama's fan club by Marvin Olasky Politics | Press bias shifted into high gear during '08 campaign [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/obama_s_fan_club] Dispatches The Buzz by The Editors Need-to-know news [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/the_buzz_0] Reviews Redemption in the ring by Sam Thielman Movies | Is The Wrestler, with its insistent Christlike parallels, a story of sanctification? [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/redemption_in_the_ring] Shallow Ben by Megan Basham Movies | Beautiful Benjamin Button lacks emotional depth [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/shallow_ben] Adam's family values by Megan Basham Movies | Sandler comes clean in Bedtime Stories [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/adam_s_family_values] A more powerful act by Rebecca Cusey Movies | Despereaux turns on a lesson of mercy instead of justice [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/a_more_powerful_act] Suburban love by Megan Basham Movies | Marley and Me shows what "happily ever after" looks like [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/suburban_love] Halder's choices by Alisa Harris Movies | In the "ethical thriller" Good, a college professor faces one moral dilemma after another as he gets caught up in Nazi Germany [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/halder_s_choices] Voices Profession of mush by Joel Belz President Bush could use some disciplined study of the Bible [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/profession_of_mush] Sacrificial love by Marvin Olasky The Christmas gift that keeps on giving [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/sacrificial_love] An honest Messiah by Andrée Seu The telling of hard truths only reinforces Jesus' credibility [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/an_honest_messiah] Mailbag by The Editors Letters from our readers [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/mailbag_0] Vanishing moment by Mindy Belz The end of a year is also the end of an era [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/vanishing_moment] The invisible crown by Janie B. Cheaney All of our discoveries about life are merely penumbra [http://www.worldmag.com/2008/12/the_invisible_crown]
