Acclaimed cultural historian Bob Batchelor tackles the Jazz Age exploits of “Bourbon King” George Remus
“Tales of the Bourbon King,” a new podcast by cultural historian and biographer Bob Batchelor
“Tales of the Bourbon King: The Life and True Crimes of George Remus” is a riveting exploration of the life and crimes of George Remus, the notorious bootleg king of the Jazz Age. Hosted by acclaimed cultural historian and biographer Bob Batchelor, this podcast is a thrilling look into one of the most fascinating and tumultuous times in American history. The show takes listeners on a wild ride back to the roaring twenties.
Remus was a man of many talents and countless crimes. He was a first a pharmacist, then became a lawyer. But when Prohibition swept America he saw a golden opportunity to make a fortune by smuggling and selling illegal booze.
Remus became one of the richest men in America, raking in mountains of cash and living the high life in his Cincinnati mansion with his beguiling wife Imogene. But with all that money came a lot of enemies, and Remus was no stranger to violence. In fact, he turned America into his violent playground, engaging in gunfights and fisticuffs with anyone who crossed him.
But Remus wasn't just a bootlegger and a brawler. He was also a master of graft and corruption, and he managed to buy and bribe his way into the highest levels of government. He even managed to cozy up to President Warren Harding and his cronies. “Tales of the Bourbon King” epitomizes the spectacular excess of the 1920s, with all the glitz and glamour that came with it.
George Remus in April 1928 — he fought for his freedom after murdering his wife Imogene the previous October
In an improbable tale of deceit and rage, a philandering G-man stole Imogene’s heart, leading directly to a fateful gunshot that ended her life. It was a tragic end to a wild and tumultuous life, but it also made for an incredible true crime story that still captivates audiences to this day.
Bob Batchelor is a cultural historian and author of 15 books about American history and culture, including the award-winning The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition’s Evil Genius. Since the book’s publication, he has continued researching Remus and the Jazz Age, bringing new focus on the evils of Prohibition and its consequences. As a result, “Tales of the Bourbon King” extends and expands into the full life and crimes of Remus and his associated — most of whom ended up dead!
“Tales of the Bourbon King” is more than just a true crime podcast. It's a window into a fascinating time in American history, a time when anything was possible and everything was up for grabs. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess and the corrupting influence of power. But most of all, it's a damn good story, one that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.