Stephen Fry's Secrets of the Roaring 20s

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Stephen Fry's Secrets of the Roaring 20s

By: Stephen Fry, John Woolf, Nick Baker
Narrated by: Stephen Fry
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About this listen

Flappers, ‘It’ girls, confidence tricksters, drug dealers, spies, jazz musicians.

This wide ranging series about the first ever modern decade is full of colourful characters, dark deeds, strange beliefs and crazy predictions.

Join Stephen Fry as he relishes secrets sexual, political and financial, observes the emergence of the first ever youth cult and reveals the secrets of this roaring decade.

With: Jordan Barton, Brian Bowles, Clare Corbett, Fenella Fudge, Reginald D Hunter, Monty D’Inverno, Harriet Kershaw, Karen Cass, Eric Meyers, Jerome Scheuren and George Weightman.

©2022 Audible, Ltd (P)2022 Audible, Ltd
Episodes
  • Ep1: 1920

    Ep1: 1920
    Nov 17 2022

    Three stories set in the very first year of the 1920’s: A single soldier’s corpse is repatriated to Britain to a hero’s welcome; The first ever radio broadcast by a professional performer and the story of a scheming young Lord who is not what he seems.

    Plus, Stephen compiles an ABC of words invented in this decadent decade.

    Further Reading: Prince of Tricksters: The Incredible True Story of Netley Lucas, Gentleman Crook, by Matt Houlbrook
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    39 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Ep 2: Unflappable

    Ep 2: Unflappable
    Nov 17 2022

    The first female youth cult of modern times means a revolution in hair, shockingly short skirts and yes, more dancing.

    But what about the ‘unflappable’ women who became professionals and politicians, thanks to the change in female status brought about during the war? Meet the controversial woman who pioneered female policing, but rather overdid it.

    Further Reading: Mary Sophia Allen: Suffragette to Fascist by Nina Boyd
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    41 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Ep 3: Britain Off Its Head

    Ep 3: Britain Off Its Head
    Nov 17 2022

    Despite the government’s efforts to control drinking and drug abuse, narcotics were widely available, and alcohol was widely abused. Women were at the centre of shocking behaviour over both, and predictably the press was suitably scandalised.

    We introduce the nightclub queen who employed ‘292 women of the unfortunate class’.

    Further Reading: Dope Girls by Marek Kohn
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    35 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
All stars
Most relevant  
Stephen Fry is so easy to listen to and his narration brought the decade to life
I listened to the podcast in one sitting because it was so interesting . I hope there will be a 1930s one soon

fantastic look at the past

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I really enjoyed this podcast. the way they set the scene, weave the stories together, and use the themes to explore the decade was very clever and entertaining. Stephen Fry is, as always, delightful. It makes for great easy listening with an educational bent.

Excellent podcast

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Interesting; Enjoyable; Informative.
This is a great way to learn about the history of our recent past.

Stephen Fry's Secrets pf the Roaring 20's

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I love learning and listening as I go for my daily walks and when doing housework. Thankyou for yet another brilliant Stephen Fry production where I learn something new all the while being entertained.

Brilliant as always!!!

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