Playboy July 2007

COVER STORY
"If you want me to swim fast, you have to let me enjoy my life," says Olympic swimming medal winner Amanda Beard. When she's not busy training for the 2008 Summer Games, the stunning breaststroker gets her kicks from motorcycle riding, surfing, snowboarding and race-car driving. Photographer Daniela Federici reveals the streamlined body beneath the swimsuit; our Rabbit is having a great hair day.

FEATURES
56 THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUMMER OF LOVE
The roots of America's current crystal-meth crisis can be traced to 1967 Haight-Ashbury. On the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love, the author of Clubland explores the sinister subculture that emerged in San Francisco and the underworld of lawless speed freaks that remains. BY FRANK OWEN
70 THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE
Meet Nikki Avalon, one of the new breed of web-savvy, entrepreneurial "independent providers" remaking the Vegas scene and redefining the world of companionship-for-pay in the Internet era. BY ERIK HEDEGAARD
76 THE GRILLS NEXT DOOR
Summer is here and so is your license to grill. Follow our game plan to create the ultimate backyard barbecue, using Tom Colicchio's peerless prescription for a perfect porterhouse and recipes for elegant side dishes. It's all topped off by the best summer cocktails from past decades, plus a tequila-laden surprise that perfectly sums up summer 2007.
96 THE OPEN ROAD
You've got your girl, a map, wheels and serious wanderlust. Get rolling with our tribute to the glory of the road trip, as well as 25 destinations—including bikerfests, bullfights and the hottest bikini scene—that will inspire you to flip your odometer.

FICTION
108 STATE OF THE UNION
Godwin Pope is the brilliant and arrogant vice president of the United States, who desperately wants to move up. In this excerpt from The Coup, the witty, cynical novel by our favorite satirist, we are introduced to Pope and learn how he came to play second fiddle to a president he despises. BY JAMIE MALANOWSKI
the playboy forum
43 GREENS FOR NUKES
Environmental ideologues are afraid of using nuclear energy to combat global warming, but statistics show modern nuclear power is actually a sane alternative for our overpopulated, power-hungry world. BY JAMES LOVELOCK

20Q
74 DANICA PATRICK
She broke two records for female race-car drivers in the 2005 Indianapolis 500. Now our favorite fast woman puts on the brakes long enough to talk to us about her go-kart days, proving herself on the track and what it would take for her to move to NASCAR. BY JASON BUHRMESTER

INTERVIEW
49 BRUCE WILLIS
His résumé is impressively stocked with starring roles in blockbuster hits and with chewy supporting parts in challenging indies that would turn any actor green with envy. As his harried hero John McClane returns to the big screen in Live Free or Die Hard, a calmer, wiser Willis talks candidly about doing action movies at the age of 52, the importance of being tight with ex-wife Demi Moore's husband. Ashton Kutcher, and why he is no longer a Republican. BY DAVID SHEFF

PICTORIALS
62 MONTAUK SUMMER
Photographer Michael Dweck revisits the Long Island enclave and discovers some natural wonders.
82 PLAYMATE: TIFFANY SELBY
This beach-loving beauty is a shore sight to remember.
112 ADULT SWIM
Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard is sensationally slippery when wet.

NOTES AND NEWS
13 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY
Hef, Bridget, Holly and Kendra celebrate the third season of The Girls Next Door; the first-ever Playboy Poker Camp.
14 HANGIN' WITH HEF
For Mardi Gras, Hef and his girlfriends get their beads on with Stephen Dorff, Shannon Tweed, the American Idol guys and more.
101 CENTERFOLDS ON SEX: TIFFANY TAYLOR
Miss November 1998 dons lingerie to greet special guests at the door.
143 PLAYMATE NEWS
Victoria Fuller's pop art turns heads at a Beverly Hills gallery opening; Miss April 2005 Courtney Culkin fine-tunes her comedic chops.

DEPARTMENTS
5 PLAYBILL
17 DEAR PLAYBOY
21 AFTER HOURS
29 REVIEWS
37 MANTRACK
41 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR
94 PARTY JOKES
141 WHERE AND HOW TO BUY
148 GRAPEVINE
150 POTPOURRI

FASHION
102 BACK TO THE BEACH
Whether you're emerging from the ocean in James Bond–inspired trunks or keeping it casual on the boardwalk, this swimwear is sure to make a splash. BY JOSEPH DE ACETIS

THIS MONTH ON PLAYBOY.COM
THE A-LIST
Come on in: At the 10 best poolside bars, more than the water is fine. playboy.com/Alist
ARE YOU PLAYBOY MATERIAL?
Submit your photos and rate theirs. playboy.com/aypm
MAGAZINE BLOG
News, views and inside perspectives from PLAYBOY editors. playboy.com/blog
THE 21ST QUESTION
Go one more lap with driver Danica Patrick. playboy.com/21Q
SPEAKING OF SEX
Get some foreign foreplay with our languageof-love audio primer. playboy.com/sex