The Booze, Bets and Sex That Built America

1 season available

A look at the surprising origin stories of the American alcohol, gambling, sex, and tobacco industries and the notorious entrepreneurs who built some of history's biggest fortunes on the nation's cravings.
Secrets & Sins
S1 E1

Jack Daniel pioneers American whiskey; Adolphus Busch creates an iconic beer; Buck Duke innovates the modern cigarette; Julius Schmid skirts the law selling his new condoms… all while the temperance movement rises to battle against them.

Empires Lost
S1 E2

One of the richest men in the world may lose his tobacco empire; alcohol titans fight for their lives against the growing threat of Prohibition; New York City becomes ground zero in the battle to legalize contraception.

Sin Cities
S1 E3

The invention of the luxury resort casino helps birth Sin City; a Harlem woman goes to war for what will become the state lottery system; an alluring magazine like no other is launched; one of the most famous cigarette brands in history is created.