Product Review

Playboy December 2006 Magazine UPC: 030095352708 | ISSN: 0032-1478 Volume 53 Issue # 12 TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click here to preview magazine FEATURES 76 THREE SENATORS GORE The true first family of American politics has been the Gores. Al's cousin gives us Gore-centric details about what makes the clan tick. BY GORE VIDAL 86 LOVE, JERRY For the first time, PLAYBOY readers gain intimate epistolary access to legendary writer J.D. Salinger and the femme fatale who may have inspired him. BY NEIL COHEN 110 INO MAS! A renowned playwright and filmmaker takes the measure of the Ultimate Fighting Championship matchup between Royce Gracie and Matt Hughes and defines what it takes to be a champion. Note: You don't need to win the bout. BY DAVID MAMET 128 PLAYBOY'S HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Anyone game for a primo espresso machine, sculpture-like stereo equipment, a model Ferrari or tickets to the Super Bowl? Wrap it up-we'll take it. 136 EROTIC PASSAGES How does writing capture the sensual experience, its anticipation and tactile thrills? JAY MCINERNEY, JANE SMILEY, A.S. BYATT, JUNOT DIAZ and LAUREN WEISBERGER share the love. 140 JAMES BOND'S DESK Even 007 needs a desk. Now the magazine that first published a James Bond story in America displays his unique taste in paperweights. 142 PLAYBOY'S MUSIC POLL 2006 Tune in to our annual survey of the year's best music, featuring interviews with DJ Irie, John Medeski, John Scofield and Rod Stewart. 152 CENTER OF ATTENTION Navigating your way through March Madness will be a slam dunk thanks to our annual college hoops preview and top 25 picks. BY DAVID KAPLAN 158 TWISTED CHRISTMAS Mel Gibson, Ann Coulter, Saddam Hussein and others spread holiday cheer in their own idiosyncratic ways.