Cover: Literary Quarterly
Hamburger Heart: From hot dogs to burgers--how fast food changed the American landscape.

A 'Newer' Past: David Roberts revises the revisionist in his study of two frontiersmen.

Gen-X Prodigy Grows Up: Douglas Coupland displays emotional and stylistic maturity in 'Miss Wyoming.'

Homeless Yet Rooted: Pico Iyer discovers a sense of self in the rush of nonstop travel in 'The Global Soul.'

News: Big Men on Campus
Tim Draper and Reed Hastings are reigning kings in Silicon Valley, but do they know squat about reforming California's schools?

Metropolis News Extras

• Willow Glen: Residents baffled by theft of stone lions.
  
• Saratoga: Commissioners meet to revisit process allowing cellular and PCS antennas.
  

Burning Questions: For most firewalkers, the experience is more than a trial by fire.

Public Eye: Da Mayor dabbles in da South Bay. Gonzo's coffee-roast for Gore. Judge candidate goes golfing on TV.

Aural Fixation: Seems like just about every band around has got a new CD on the way.

Audiofile: Reviews of new CDs by Enigma and Morphine.

Barbed Bard: 'Titus,' the screen version of Shakespeare's least-loved play, features lusty acting by Anthony Hopkins and lots of fake blood.

Still Reeling: Cinequest winds to a close.

Work: Are you a target? Gen X invents Gen Y.

Men in Tights: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo are more than fluffy skirts.

Fluid and Subtle: 'Temperaments' outshone flashy 'Carmen' at SJ Cleveland Ballet.

Mediterranean Mastery: Charming Vaso Azzurro is a good reason to visit Mountain View's thriving restaurant row.

A La Carte: Responsible eateries deliver what their menus promise.