Everyone Has Something to Hide

Historically Speaking Podcast

Warren G. Harding did what in a White House Closet? Who was FDR with when he died? JKF had how many women while he was president? These are just a few of the questions that get answered in this week’s episode as we delve into secrets that could have brought down political careers, administrations, and even entire governments (and some secrets that actually did!) This may be our best episode yet, and who doesn’t love an intriguing, salacious scandal or two?

Episode Edits:

1. John Profumo resigned in June of 1963, not July as stated in the episode.
2. In 1975, John Profumo was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire which he received personally from Queen Elizabeth II.

Episode Resources:

Books

• Modern Times: The World From the 20’s to the 90’s by Paul Johnson
• Florence Harding: The First Lady, The Jazz Age, and The Death of the Most Scandalous President by Carl Sferrazza Anthony
• Eleanor and Franklin by Joseph P. Lash
• Dear Senator: A Memoir by the Daughter of Strom Thurmond by Essie Mae Washington-Williams
• The Dark Side of Camelot by Seymour M. Hersh
• A Thousand Days by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
• Secrets and Lies: The Autobiography by Christine Keller

Films/Documentaries

• The Maltese Falcon with Humphry Bogart
• The Bride of Frankenstein with Valerie Hobson (John Profumo’s wife)
• Kind Hearts and Coronets with Valerie Hobson
• Ken Burns: The Roosevelts – An Intimate History - Documentary
• The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt - Documentary
• Scandal – the film about the Profumo Affair