A Renegade History of the U.S.

Thaddeus Russell’s controversial "A Renegade History of The United States" makes the case that it was not “good” citizens who established American liberty. Sometimes they were drunken mobs. The founding fathers were deeply concerned about the illicit, immoral, and degrading habits of many early Americans so much so that at one point John Adams wished the British would win the war. Madams and prostitutes were the wealthiest and most free women in the 19th century, the first women to use cosmetics, color their hair, and walk streets alone. Russell discusses the life of Seattle madame Lou Graham, one of cities wealthiest citizens; the role of gangsters running the nightclubs that gave birth to jazz; how juvenile delinquents helped win the Cold War.