Topic #17- #18 Roaring 20's and the Great Depression

Warren G. Harding
To many, Warren G. Harding was an ineffective philanderer whose presidency became entangled in scandal. Fred Nielsen's guest, John Dean, sets the record straight, arguing that Warren G. Harding was a far better president than popular opinion allows. John Dean served for three years as White House counsel in the Nixon administration. His new book, Warren G. Harding is part of The American Presidents series, edited by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. Airdate: December 13, 2004.

The Tulsa Riot
In 1921 a black man in Tulsa, Oklahoma was accused of sexually assaulting a white woman. The charge sparked one of the worst riots in US history – which was all but lost to history until publication of Reconstructing the Dreamland by Alfred Brophy, our guest this week, on Talking History. Airdate: December 9, 2002.



The Crash of '29
In October 1929 what many people thought would be an unending period of prosperity in America came to an end. A decade of unbridled optimism gave way to the collapse of the stock market and its devastating effect on the national economy. Our guest this week, Maury Klein, has written a new book on the Crash. Airdate: October 6, 2003

The Scopes Trial
During the next three weeks, we offer three of our favorite shows from 2005, while we take a short break and prepare a new season of interviews and commentaries from some of the best people working in the field. Airdate: January 16, 2006.
On July 10th, 1925, the case of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, better known as the Scopes Monkey Trial opened in Dayton, Tennessee. It was a public clash between proponents and opponents of teaching evolution in the schools. According to John Herron's guest this week--Edward Larson--the trial took on a life and meaning of its own. Edward Larson, is Professor of History and Law at the University of Georgia, and the author of Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion.



Seabiscuit
Talking History's Eileen Dugan will discuss the story of the race horse, Seabiscuit, who became a cultural icon, with Lauren Hillenbrand author of Seabiscuit: An American Legend. Airdate: May 12, 2003


NEW 4.8.08 Rudolf Valentino
Talking History’s Eileen Dugan and author Emily Leider discuss what made the matinee idol Rudolf Valentino such a sensation in life and death. Emily Leider is author of Dark Lover: The Life and Death of Rudolf Valentino. Airdate: February 14, 2005.