FEATURES
COVER STORY
Perfect Stuff 52
There are things every man has -- a razor, a sport jacket, a baseball mitt -- and things that every man should have -- a sweet set of golf clubs, a badass motorcycle, a Fender Stratocaster. MJ has come up with the 51 must-haves, from the perfect power drill to the lightest mountain bike on the planet. Plus, we caught up with the ultimate gear guy, Shaquille O'Neal, who reveals the best toys his money can buy.

Thunder Run 74
In one of the boldest strokes in modern military history, a handful of tanks and fewer than 1,000 men made a high-speed thrust into Baghdad last April, which ended Saddam Hussein's dictatorship weeks, if not months, ahead of schedule. And guess what: It was no cakewalk. A firsthand account of the bloodiest -- and most underreported -- battle of the war. Part one of a two-part story. BY DAVID ZUCCHINO

The 25 Toughest Guys in America 80
What makes a man tough? Is it brute physical strength? The ability to withstand pain? Or is it something more subtle: perseverance, focus, fearlessness? Whatever it is -- the physical, the mental, or some combination of both -- these 25 men have it, from Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre to big-mountain snowboarder Jeremy Jones to explorer J. Michael Fay. Think you're tough? Check out these guys' stories and you might want to reconsider.

Discovering the Girls of Croatia 94
With more than 1,000 miles of coastline, Croatia is set to become Europe's next great playground. But it's not just the deserted islands or the beautiful beaches that are attracting men from all over. It's the gorgeous women. We sent a reporter to see what all the fuss was about -- and he wasn't disappointed. BY JASON HARPER

Rough Riders 98
Professional bull riders risk life and limb each time they hop on a wildly bucking monster -- and yet they wouldn't trade bull riding for any other job in the world. (And they're definitely not paid like NBA stars.) So why do they do it? Never underestimate the power of those eight short seconds of glory. BY PAM HOUSTON

ADVENTURE
Best Buddy Trips Whether you're climbing in the Rockies or deep-sea fishing in the Pacific, what really matters is that you're with friends. Here are 20 great adventures for you and your rat pack. 24
Dive Mexico The Yucatán Peninsula still has a few secrets -- like the thousands of caverns that make for some of the best diving in the world. 30 Books A firefighter's exciting memoir. Plus, how to survive hostile environments -- from the desert to the high seas -- from a doctor who's been there. 34

PEAK PERFORMANCE
The NBA Workout A year ago New Orleans Hornet Baron Davis had a body that was soft and injury-prone. Then he went on this fitness program, and it catapulted him into the NBA's elite. 37
Health & Fitness News The latest preventive heart treatments and other health news. Plus, Dr. Bob Arnot answers your health questions. 40
Skincare 101 The men's skincare aisle has gotten pretty confusing of late. Here's a simple guide to what you really need. 44
Irish Whiskey Scotch may get all the ink, but with more brands available, the luck of the Irish is changing. 46

STYLE
Western Wear Big belt buckles and snap-front shirts are the perfect complement to a weathered pair of jeans. Here are 11 updated classics. 104
Boot Camp Six cowboy boots that look as good out on the town as they do on the range. 106

TOOLS & TOYS
Softshells They're light, breathable -- and nearly as weatherproof as Gore-Tex. And these jackets are affordable, too. 112
All-Terrain Vehicles The latest trail runners combine the best features of jogging shoes and hiking boots. We rate six of the best. 114
Most Valuable Players With the new, affordable DVD player-recorders, what are you doing still renting videos? 115
Speed Racers The Ferrari Challenge Stradale and the Lotus Elise race for street supremacy. 116

MISC.
Trade Secrets NASCAR racer Jimmie Johnson tells you how to be first off the line. 138
Mail 20
Contributors 22