THE SEXIEST WOMAN ALIVE ...is Mila Kunis. She looks fantastic. And she's probably smarter than you, too. By Ross McCammon

BEFORE WE BEGIN • The Esquire Universe • Letter from the editor • Other great restaurants • Other great women

THE ESQ&A Philip Seymour Hoffman talks The Master, his six-pack, and pissing off Art Howe

MAN AT HIS BEST: CULTURE Yodeling. Plus: Why Tom Wolfe needs to spend more a little more time in Miami.

FUNNY JOKE FROM A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN By Hannah Ware

MAHB: INSTRUCTION Your next showerhead, Scotch the way the Scots intended, and the ultimate workout motivator: humiliation.

SEX The dangers of work trips, the joy of sexless relationships, and the lasting resonance of spanking.

STYLE The best new watches for any wrist situation. Plus: A watch designer who draws inspiration from trench coats.

A THOUSAND WORDS The postracial elite. Thank god for lust. By Stephen Marche

ESQUIRE'S BEST NEW RESTAURANTS Where to eat right now in America. Especially if you like fried chicken gizzards. Or spaghetti carbonara there's that, too. Plus: Why the South is having a moment, and your hostess of the year. By John Mariani

THE FATE OF THE SENATE The presidency is only one part of what's at stake this November. Almost as important, which party will control the Senate? Of the thirty-three seats up for grabs, ten will decide the balance of power. An analysis and projection for each.

THE ESQUIRE/YAHOO! NEWS ELECTION POLL An exclusive national survey on how the presidential race stands, who voters expect to win, which candidate lies the most, and which would win in a fistfight. Plus: Clinton versus Reagan — who would America vote for today?

THE CYNIC AND BARACK OBAMA Four years later. By Charles P. Pierce

TESTER OF MONTANA Control of the Senate could rest on whether the Democrat Jon Tester can win reelection in a very conservative state. Millions of dollars in outside money and blizzards of negative ads are shaping the race. But for now, Tester has another problem: harvesting his wheat. By Chris Jones

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE "Every once in a while, you go a little too far." Interviewed by Scott Raab

FLAKE OF ARIZONA Republican congressman Jeff Flake, a conservatice Mormon with deep roots in the state, wants to be its next senator. But these days nothing is easy in Arizona. By Mike Sager

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN "I think I am the only governor that has actually taken vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience." Interviewed by Cal Fussman

ESQUIRE STYLE The season's best new suits, as worn by the NHL's most stylish team.

THIS WAY OUT Quiz of the Month: Romney or Obama? By A.J. Jacobs