Roald Dahl is a beloved children’s author. Turns out, he was also a British spy during WWII! So how does one transition from seducing prominent Americans’ wives to writing Matilda? 

Well, we’re glad you asked! We called up the creator of a new docu-series called The Secret World of Roald Dahl to get all the dirt on this famous children’s author. 

Aaron Tracy, Creator of The Secret World of Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is a beloved children&rsquo;s author. Turns out, he was also a British spy during WWII! So how does one transition from seducing prominent Americans&rsquo; wives to writing&nbsp;Matilda?&nbsp;
Well, we&rsquo;re glad you asked! We called up the creator of a new docu-series called <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/id1868436905">The Secret World of Roald Dahl </a>to get all the dirt on this famous children&rsquo;s author.&nbsp;
Aaron Tracy, Creator of The Secret World of Roald Dahl

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history — from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history &mdash; from the Revolutionary War to rock &amp; roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

American History Hotline

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts. 

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts.&nbsp;

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American History Hotline with Bob Crawford

Did Willy Wonka’s Creator Spy on America? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f8145015-6dd8-45ff-94a2-b3de01465a11/transcript

It can be scary to learn how much our democracy relies on norms and convention when the rule of law is put to the test. But, at least our Founding Fathers had an excellent understanding of authoritarianism when they drafted the U.S. Constitution. Are the guardrails they created enough to prevent a dictator, though? 

Bob calls up Jeffrey Rosen (former President and CEO of the National Constitution Center) to answer this question. 

It can be scary to learn how much our democracy relies on norms and convention when the rule of law is put to the test. But, at least our Founding Fathers had an excellent understanding of authoritarianism when they drafted the U.S. Constitution. Are the guardrails they created enough to prevent a dictator, though?&nbsp;
Bob calls up Jeffrey Rosen (former President and CEO of the National Constitution Center) to answer this question.&nbsp;

The Constitution vs. Authoritarianism

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3b14e7d6-3479-4c26-9305-b3fa015e8e9b/transcript

During the Great Depression, millions of Americans were out of work, but they still managed to make it to the movies. In fact, Hollywood didn't just survive one of our country's greatest economic downturns, it thrived. 

So how did movie studios stay afloat when audiences could barely afford food? And why did people keep buying movie tickets during one of the darkest economic periods in U.S. history?

We dial up Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Mark Ellis to explore how Hollywood weathered the Great Depression and how this period changed filmmaking for rest of the 20th century. From the rise of sound films and lavish musicals to monster movies, gangster films, and sweeping epics like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind, film became a national escape during a difficult decade.

It’s a historical look at Hollywood that resonates today with new threats (like AI and consolidation) constantly emerging. 

During the Great Depression, millions of Americans were out of work, but they still managed to make it to the movies. In fact, Hollywood didn't just survive one of our country's greatest economic downturns, it thrived.&nbsp;
So how did movie studios stay afloat when audiences could barely afford food? And why did people keep buying movie tickets during one of the darkest economic periods in U.S. history?
We dial up Rotten Tomatoes correspondent Mark Ellis to explore how Hollywood weathered the Great Depression and how this period changed filmmaking for rest of the 20th century. From the rise of sound films and lavish musicals to monster movies, gangster films, and sweeping epics like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind, film became a national escape during a difficult decade.
It&rsquo;s a historical look at Hollywood that resonates today with new threats (like AI and consolidation) constantly emerging.&nbsp;

How Did Hollywood Survive the Great Depression? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0fdbec89-c724-4060-9cf2-b3b20103dd27/transcript

She was just 16 years old when she rode nearly 40 miles through the night rallying the militia as the British attacked during the American Revolution.

Bob calls up Karen Romano Young (Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Hero) to get the story of Sybil Ludington. They explore what parts of her story are fact or fiction, and why she was nearly forgotten.

She was just 16 years old when she rode nearly 40 miles through the night rallying the militia as the British attacked during the American Revolution.
Bob calls up Karen Romano Young (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sybil-Ludington-Revolutionary-Rider-Based/dp/1250104122">Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Hero</a>) to get the story of Sybil Ludington. They explore what parts of her story are fact or fiction, and why she was nearly forgotten.

Sybil Ludington: 16-Year-Old Hero of the American Revolution

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f2d58689-563d-4995-b99b-b3fa0111584b/transcript

Did Willy Wonka’s Creator Spy on America?

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