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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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  • Summary

  • 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
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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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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History
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What listeners say about Stephen Fry's Secrets of the Roaring 20s

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  • S
  • 17-11-22

Fascinating and timely

Another brilliant series from Mr Fry - fascinating insights, and very timely to reflect on these events a century on.

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7 people found this helpful

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Excellent podcast from Stephen Fry

Yet another excellent podcast from the charming Stephen Fry. Most illuminating and enjoyable. Bravo Audible

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4 people found this helpful

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Great narration, excellent listen

I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the Edwardian/Victorian series but it was excellent all the same. if you enjoyed those two this is right up the same street. Excellent production and narration

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Another brilliant series


Whoever came up with these gems of Victorian and Edward secrets and now this is the roaring twenties is to be applauded.

It’s free factual and funny.

Highly recommend

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Love it

As the rest of the serial, it's pleasure to listen. Thank you for a great work.

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Wonderful 🙌🏻

I love this series of podcasts hopefully the secrets of the nineteen thirties will be next Stephen Fry’s narration as usual is flourless and extremely entertaining 💯❤️❤️❤️

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fabulous

as ever, a fascinating, witty and engrossing series by Mr Fry. l loved it. x

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Superb

I listened whilst commuting to and from work, brilliantly produced, very informative and stephen adds his magic with the narration

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Love love

Can not put it down , finished in one go. Interesting story and fabulous performances. Always love Stephen Fry’s performance.

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Another great series from Stephen Fry and Co

Really enjoyed this. The only slight criticism from me is the amount and volume of the 20s music. Yes great to hear a flavour of the music that the bright young things (and not so bright older things) would have heard but there was too much of it, too often and too loud for my taste. I had to concentrate to hear the words and I don’t feel that so much background music added anything much to an otherwise great series

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  • Janet M. Kennedy
  • 20-11-22

Exceedingly entertaining and educational! Stephen Fry and his team always delivers.

Once I finished Victorian and Edwardian Secrets I couldn’t wait for another series. What a great surprise to find the Stephen Fry’s Secrets of the Roaring Twenties. Great writing, entertaining delivery and lots of fascinating historical stories.

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  • Ronald David Wrbanek
  • 29-11-22

Fantastic series!

Another intriguing and informative series narrated by Stephen Fry, that makes history fascinating. Hope the series continues

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  • Lisa Lambert Nunley
  • 17-01-23

What an enjoyable series!

Stephen Frye could make Webster’s Dictionary both delightful and exciting….but this was exceptional. I love historical facts…and this was a treasure!!!

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  • Cathy
  • 13-01-23

I so enjoy these podcasts

The Roaring 20s series is just enjoyable as the previous eras explored. I look forward to what the future holds.

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  • J. Sainz
  • 29-08-23

One adjective isn’t enough

Whether you think the 20s should be called roaring, swinging, depressed, or unsettled… this podcast is the bee’s knees!

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  • Rhonda
  • 11-08-23

Love this series!!

I hope that there will be more series based on different decades!!! Stephen Fry is a beyond amazing narrator!!!

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  • Paul K.
  • 21-06-23

Read by a legend

Stephen Fry is such an amazing and animated narrator. The 20s are an era that I've heard much about, but I have very little knowledge of the details. Learning about Flappers, sexuality the great war, the suffrage movement. To learn more about a fascinating time period is always welcomed, but to hear an interesting tale told by such an impressive and talented person like Stephen Fry, that's a win-win.

I highly recommend these series and the previous two, the Edwardian and the Victorian eras.

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  • V. Alex
  • 17-04-23

Awesome as always

A journey into the secrets of the past. Loved it. Stephen Fry does an amazing job, as always.

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  • Erin OBrien
  • 12-04-23

Fry delivers an engaging subject brilliantly !!

This fascinating and entertaining podcast is narrated by my very favorite artist, Stephen Fry! His expressive and well-modulated voice makes anything a joy to experience!

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  • Nauwelaerts Carl
  • 11-02-23

Simply superb.

A pearl of a podcast.
Very informative and entertaining at the same time.
Fry at his best.
A podcast to cherish, to be safeguarded in a museum later on for future generations.

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