WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

Many writers have warned about the perils of climate change. But few novelists have succeeded in turning scientific data into gripping fiction. The best-selling author of "The Lacuna" and "The Poisonwood Bible" hopes to change that. Barbara Kingsolver's latest book tells the story of Dellarobia Turnbow, a young mother trapped in rural poverty, who discovers millions of butterflies glowing like a "lake of fire" in a pasture. That vision — which stops her from an adulterous tryst - and its aftermath becomes a wake-up call about climate change for an Appalachian community. It also marks the beginning of a new life for her. Join Diane for her interview with author Barbara Kingsolver.

Domingo Martinez is the only author without a Pulitzer Prize to be nominated for this year's National Book Award. He joins Diane to discuss his memoir about growing up between two cultures on the border of Texas and Mexico.

For those who suffer from migraine headaches, the pain can be devastating. Intense throbbing and sensitivity to light or sound often keeps people from their normal lives for hours or even days on end. The World Health Organization ranks migraine as one of the most debilitating diseases, and more than 10 percent of the population suffers from it. Yet migraine is not widely understood and is often misdiagnosed. But patients can find relief with the right treatments. As scientists learn more about the cause of migraines, doctors and patients have their sights on better medication. Diane and her guests discuss living with migraines and the search for new treatments.

Award-winning writer Mark Brazaitis talks with Diane about his latest collection of short stories.

When Europeans first came to the U.S. as settlers, there were roughly a billion acres of ancient forests. America's trees have been under assault ever since. Westward expansion, industrialization, rapid population growth, the rise of the suburbs and various diseases have all exacted a toll. Today woodland acreage is down by about 25 percent - and much of it is populated with young trees. A new book tells the history of America through its trees. Like Dr. Seuss's environmental classic "The Lorax," it's a sad story, but one that's not without hope. In the next segment of our Environmental Outlook series - trees, forests and the making of a nation.

Born into a life of wealth and privilege, American novelist Edith Wharton was known for her insider's critiques of the upper class. But her 1911 novel, "Ethan Frome," featured working-class characters who couldn't have been more different from her usual subjects. The novel's namesake is a poor farmer married to a domineering and sickly wife. When Ethan's wife hires her young cousin as a housekeeper, Ethan falls hopelessly in love with her. The doomed romance set against a stark New England countryside became Wharton's most widely-read novel. Join Diane and guests for a Readers' Review of Edith Wharton's "Ethan Frome."

A new exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., explores how the Civil War redefined American art and painting. Diane is joined by exhibit curator Eleanor Jones Harvey.

Deb Perelman didn't set out to become a famous cook, a professional photographer or the author of an award-winning blog, but she is all of these things now. She's the author of SmittenKitchen.com, a website with recipes for seasonal, easy-to-prepare food that includes how-to photographs and casual commentary on cooking and life. In her newly published cookbook, she brings the Smitten Kitchen website to the hard copy world. Please join us for a conversation with Deb Perelman on the joys of cooking at home.

Wendell Berry received the National Humanities Medal in 2010 for his achievement as a poet, novelist, farmer and conservationist. He summarized his philosophy in this year's Jefferson Lecture, titled "It All Turns On Affection." For more than 50 years, Berry has been writing about life in a fictional small town called Port William. Its families are closely bound by marriage, kinship, friendship, history and memory. They help each other with the hard work of farming and take pleasure in the telling of shared stories. In a new collection, characters age and pass on, but their tales of love, joy and sorrow live on.

Charles Dickens is one of the world's greatest and best-loved novelists. He created such indelible child characters as Oliver Twist, Little Nell, Tiny Tim and David Copperfield. Dickens endured a difficult childhood. When he was 11, his father was sent to debtors' prison, and Dickens was put to work in a blackening factory. Beginning in his teens, his talent, energy and drive ensured he would never suffer such disgrace again. Dickens also had great expectations for his 10 children — seven boys and three girls. Author Robert Gottlieb tells us what became of the sons and daughters of Charles Dickens.

Kenny Rogers is known worldwide as an award-winning pop and country singer. But many fans don't know he began his career 50 years ago singing in a doo-wop group at his Texas high school. He played stand-up bass in a jazz trio before joining a rock band in the late 1960s. It was with the band First Edition that Kenny Rogers found fame with the song, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." In 1977, he launched a solo career in country music with the hit "Lucille." He soon became known for his story songs like "The Gambler." Diane talks with Kenny Rogers about his journey from a Houston housing project to becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Kenny Rogers is known worldwide as an award-winning pop and country singer. But many fans don't know he began his career 50 years ago singing in a doo-wop group at his Texas high school. He played stand-up bass in a jazz trio before joining a rock band in the late 1960s. It was with the band First Edition that Kenny Rogers found fame with the song, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." In 1977, he launched a solo career in country music with the hit "Lucille." He soon became known for his story songs like "The Gambler." Diane talks with Kenny Rogers about his journey from a Houston housing project to becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time.

On Dec. 20, 1943, a young American fighter pilot named Charlie Brown was on his first World War II mission. Flying in the German skies, Brown's B-17 bomber was shot and badly damaged. As Brown and his men desperately tried to escape enemy territory back to England, a German fighter plane pulled up to their tail. It seemed certain death. Instead of shooting the plane down, however, the German pilot, Franz Stigler, escorted the Americans to safety. In his new book, "A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II", author Adam Makos describes the fateful wartime encounter, and how the two men found each other nearly 50 years later.

An independent panel faults the U.S. State Department on Benghazi, Libya. Pakistani militants kill nine polio vaccine workers. And South Korea elects its first female president. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

President Barack Obama taps Vice President Joe Biden to lead a gun violence task force. House Republicans vow to push a "Plan B" to avert the fiscal cliff. And four State Department officials leave after a damaging report on Benghazi, Libya. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.