Joan Rivers says that women live better when they look better...and she thinks plastic surgery is often the best way to accomplish that. Also: celebrated dancer Edward Villella. Jayne Anne Phillips on her new long-awaited new novel. And word maven Patricia T. O'Conner takes your calls on the English language.

More women are drinking alcohol in greater quantities. Is gender equality in drinking something to strive for? Also: Campbell Scott on his role in the play "The Atheist." We look at the life of swashbuckling star Douglas Fairbanks. Plus, word maven Patricia T. O’Conner takes your calls!

Why do some people succeed, while others never seem to reach their full potential? Malcolm Gladwell talks about how luck, skill, and hard work affect your chances at success. Also: we look into the ongoing debate over who owns the past. Hear about a new theater piece that deals with ...

Hear about factory cities that have spring up all over China, and the hundreds of millions of workers who have migrated to them from small villages. Plus: States of the Union is all about Florida, which has been a make-or-break state in past elections. Then, a look at ...

Sichan Siv made a narrow escape from Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge when he was a young man. Find out how he went on to become the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Also: States of the Union is all about Maine! Francine Prose talks about her new novel. And ...

Find out why energy policy is one of the hot topics of the Democratic convention in Denver so far. Also, we look at art conservation as a forensic science. Plus, the poems of W.S. Di Piero. And word maven Patricia T. O'Conner takes your calls on the English language.

John Harwood, the chief Washington correspondent for CNBC, tells us who wields the most influence in our nation’s capital..from strategists to fundraisers to lobbyists. Also: policy analyst Kenneth Pollack's grand strategy for America's role in the Middle East. Laurie Anderson on her new piece, “Homeland.” And word maven Patricia T. ...

Trash vs. rubbish. Truck vs. lorry. Underwear vs. pants. Word maven Patricia T. O'Conner talks about the differences between English in the U.S. and in the U.K.!