Table of Contents

August 2008 | Volume 17 | Number 7

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The Wild Shores of Baja | 90
The best - and maybe only - way to see the 60 miles of virgin coast north of La Paz is with friends who really know how to kayak. by Daniel Duane

Olympic Preview: 0.27 Seconds | 96
Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are unlikely friends and the fiercest of competitors. PLUS: A smart viewer's guide to the games.

Olympic Preview: Faster Higher Stronger | 104
A photo portfolio of 10 amazing athletes

The Willful Renegade | 112
Hancock's Peter Berg is an anti-Hollywood guy who makes commercial films. Here's how he went from second-tier actor to first-tier director. by Sridhar Pappu

The MJ Guide to the Night Sky | 120
The joy of stargazing has been nearly lost in an orange haze of light pollution. Here are the tools you need to reclaim it, the celestial events you won't want to miss, and the best places to look skyward.

Born Fighting | 126
Jim Webb may be the only Democrat with a populist agenda who can't be tagged an elitist. Will the Virginia senator and Vietnam vet also be the next vice president? by Tom Brokaw

Crackdown on the Dog Torturers | 130
John Goodwin, the country's top animal cruelty investigator, has the dogfighting underground on the run. by Mary Fischer

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26 | Swimming with Sharks

28 | AGENDA: Dissecting Discovery's Earth Project, Sailing the Aegean, an Electric Car You'll Actually Want, and More...

38 | ADVENTURE: Four Wilderness Courses that Could Save Your Life

40 | THE LIFE OF: Jimmy Buffett's Personal Fixer

42 | COOKING: The Planet's Best Lobster Roll

44 | WINE EXPLORER: Alsatian Whites

46 | MY FAVORITE THINGS: Danny Meyer

48 | Q&A: Mad Men Creator Matthew Weiner

50 | TELEVISION: HBO's Iraq War Miniseries

55 | THE DRIVER'S SEAT: Dodge's New Challenger vs. Its 1970 Predecessor

64 | BOOKS: Rereading Cult Classic Shibumi, plus: More Bad Books We Love

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China's Greenwash: Beijing's calling them the "green Olympics," but the China on display this summer is a far cry from the country's toxic reality.

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73 | Why Cardio Is Bunk

80 | Finally, a Better Condom

85 | Testing Your Genes

86 | Cut Your Hair - Yourself

88 | Ask Dr. Bob

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136 | New Nautical Wear

142 | Shades for Summer

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145 | Best New Road Bikes

148 | New, Safer Water Bottles

149 | High-Def Camcorders

150 | The Best in Beach Gear

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20 | Contributors

22 | Letters

174 | Exit Interview: Dennis Hopper