Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Income tax benefit computed at the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and income tax benefit (expense) provided in the consolidated statements of operations
Income tax benefit computed at statutory rate	$ 27,672	$ 63,397	$ 26,729
Increase (decrease) resulting from
State taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	9,948	4,691	4,010
Reserve and deferred income	(9,146)	(1,161)	1,204
Capitalized expenses	7,960	(3,501)	(88)
Basis in joint ventures	42,503	4,401	13,729
NOLs reconciliation	(5,345)	715	(24,749)
Inventory impairments	(59,401)	(1,852)	(2,736)
Recognition of federal tax benefits	17,650	2,600	1,621
Tax credits	17,889	5,477	5,384
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	(32,286)	(76,747)	(21,115)
Other, net	2,656	4,380	3,011
Income tax benefit	20,100	2,400	7,000
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the gross unrecognized benefits
Balance at beginning of year	1,899	11,308	11,024
Additions for tax positions related to prior years	0	5	1,720
Reductions for tax positions related to prior years	(165)	0	(1,183)
Reductions related to settlement	0	(264)	0
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations	(63)	(2,476)	0
Reductions due to resolution of federal and state audits	0	(6,674)	(253)
Balance at the end of year	$ 1,671	$ 1,899	$ 11,308