What happened on October 31, 2004
BOOKS
He had an eye for the telling detail By Gavin Lambert, Gavin Lambert is the author of many books, including "Natalie Wood: A Life," "Nazimova" and "On Cukor."
The rhythms of a universe By Robert Christgau, Robert Christgau is a senior editor at the Village Voice.
Quite at home on the range By Jonathan Kirsch, Jonathan Kirsch, a contributing writer to Book Review, is the author of two thrillers and a former contributor to Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Presidents -- have they really gotten punier? By Jon Meacham, Jon Meacham, managing editor of Newsweek, is the author of "Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship." He is at work on a book about Andrew Jackson's White House.
The war's over, but not for these brazen snipers By Michael Parks, Michael Parks is the director of the School of Journalism at USC's Annenberg School for Communication. He was the editor of The Times from 1997 to 2000 and a Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the paper. He also covered the Vietnam War for the Baltimore Sun.
Discoveries By Susan Salter Reynolds
Stonewalled in the White House press room By Orville Schell, Orville Schell is dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley.
Pivotal moment at the podium By Matthew Scully, Matthew Scully, author of "Dominion," until recently served as special assistant and deputy director of speechwriting for President Bush.
Sailing off into the great unknown By John Balzar, John Balzar is a Times staff writer who interviewed Patrick O'Brian shortly before his death.
MAGAZINE
A Feast for the Eyes By Hillary Johnson, Hillary Johnson last wrote for the magazine about shopping.
This Is the City, Fo' Shizzle By Alan Zweibel, Alan Zweibel is currently working on Billy Crystal's one-man show, "700 Sundays," which opens on Broadway in December.
Crunch-Time Cowboy By Katherine Gould, Katherine Gould last wrote for the magazine about the Sumatran rhinos at the L.A. Zoo.
Kobe's Second Act By Elizabeth Kaye, Elizabeth Kaye is the author of "Ain't No Tomorrow: Kobe, Shaq, and the Making of a Lakers Dynasty" (Contemporary Books), an examination of the Lakers' 2000-2001 season.
OPINION
U.S. Should Jump at This Chance to Resolve the Palestinian Issue By Edward Abington and Amjad Atallah, Edward Abington is a former U.S. consul general in Jerusalem and a political consultant to the Palestinian Authority. Amjad Atallah is a former legal advisor to the PLO's negotiating team and to former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas' government.
A Vote Against Nuclear Terror By J. Peter Scoblic, J. Peter Scoblic is the executive editor of the New Republic.
Let Felons Cast Ballots and Others Will Follow By Sasha Abramsky, Sasha Abramsky, author of "Hard Time Blues," is working on a book about disfranchisement, to be published next year by New Press.
Left Speechless By Joel Pett, Joel Pett is the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist of the Lexington Herald-Leader. His work also appears in USA Today. E-mail: jpett@herald-leader.com.
Crazy-Quilt Districts Make Your Vote Pointless By Tony Quinn, Tony Quinn is co-editor of the California Target Book, a nonpartisan analysis of legislative and congressional elections. He was on the Legislature's redistricting staff in 1971 and 1981.
Here's Hoping for Chaos on Tuesday By Jack Rakove, Jack Rakove teaches history and political science at Stanford University and is the editor of "The Unfinished Election of 2000."
Stars, Sex and Gimmickry By Ben Wasserstein, Ben Wasserstein is a writer in New York.