Early American Sex Scandals

by Cassandra Good, The Great Courses

Sex scandals have been a part of the fabric of American society and politics from the very beginning. More than just salacious stories from the past or morality tales for the present age, these clandestine relationships and infamous affairs provide a fascinating glimpse into the interplay of politics, power, and human nature. They also show us that no matter how strange the past may seem to us now, it’s not so different from today as we might think.

From the founding of the United States to the aftermath of the Civil War, sex scandals made headlines and influenced politics across the country. In the six lectures of Early American Sex Scandals, Dr. Cassandra Good of Marymount University will take you on a revealing journey through some of the most influential and notorious scandals of America’s first century. Along the way, you’ll see why sex scandals are never just about sex. These stories from the past shed light on myriad complex issues—politics, religion, gender roles, emotional norms, social expectations, and so much more.

As you explore the notorious affair of Alexander Hamilton, the many loves of Aaron Burr, the long history of infidelity in the White House, and other libidinous tales of the past, you’ll better understand an essential fact of any time and The personal is always political.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Historical, American History

Audible Audio

Published June 12, 2025

Reviews

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sex scandals have always been around. Learned something new though.

[Hunter Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-3.5 rounded up. Was interesting. It is very short.

[Cameron Rhoads · Rating 5 out of 5]

2.29 hours on Audible. Scandalous but thoroughly entertaining.

[Casey Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this topic plus shorter length and I was inspired to branch away from my usual fiction. I think this was well done as far as the topic goes. The gist is that not much has changed when it comes to sec scandals, they’ve been around forever and always will be, but context of the cultural climate is important when discussing these stories. By the end I was interested to learn of the advocacy that came out of some of these stories, and I wish this leaned more into those that advocated for certain lifestyles to become less taboo and accepted by society.

[Siv30 · Rating 4 out of 5]

לסקירה מפורטת בעברית ואנגלית, קישור לבלוג שלי -

https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/earl...

[Marissa Neilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Early American Sex Scandals” is a lively and surprisingly fun dive into the private lives and public dramas of America’s founding era. Instead of the dry history lessons most of us remember from school, this Audible Original shines a light on the messier, more human side of well-known figures—infidelities, affairs, whispered rumors, and the political fallout they caused.

The narration keeps things engaging and witty, striking a nice balance between humor and historical insight. It doesn’t feel gossipy for the sake of shock; rather, it uses these scandals as a lens to explore power, gender dynamics, and the very real consequences of public image in early America. That said, the tone is definitely breezy—this isn’t an in-depth academic study, so listeners looking for rigorous historical analysis might find it a little light.

Still, it’s entertaining, well-researched enough to feel credible, and offers a refreshing angle on figures we usually only see cast in bronze or marble. If you enjoy history podcasts, quirky nonfiction, or the idea that our Founding Fathers weren’t nearly as squeaky clean as textbooks suggest, this one’s worth a listen.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

As we watch reports on the Diddy trial, it's worth noting that America's fascination with sex scandals is as old as our republic. Good gives a nice account of many early scandals. If you are passingly familiar with American political history, you will have heard of most of them before, although some (as in the case of Alexander Hamilton's infamous affair which featured in the musical) offer new interpretations. (For example, many historians apparently believe that Hamilton was involved in schemes defrauding the government and used his reputation for cheating on his wife to cover a crime that could have put him in prison. Remember that the woman he was alleged to have had an affair with always denied that it had happened.)

There is also a lecture focused on sexual scandals in early novels that was totally new to me. But the issue that I think Good does the best with was teasing out American attitudes toward sex in general and what we would today call sexual identity--a concept that they were not familiar with in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

The professor came to the correct conclusions, I think, that sex scandals were as common in early American history as they are today, and that woman are treated differently from men for the same thing. I also liked that the professor was balanced in that she outlined the sex scandal and then brought some doubt as to the charges. That seemed to be true for all except for Thomas Jefferson. There is doubt that he was boffing Sally Hemmings. The professor failed to mention that there was doubt. The DNA evidence showed that someone in the Jefferson line fathered the child in question, but there is no DNA proof that it was Thomas Jefferson himself. If the professor had highlighted that doubt I probably would have rated this audio course an enthusiastic 3 1/2 stars.

I might listen to this audiobook again, probably for individual lectures of interest.

[Alessandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️I thought this lecture was super interesting. One basic thing is that (and you don’t really consider this) we can’t evaluate somebody’s behavior with the 2025 lense. We have to remember their context and their time.
For example Lincoln had a friend that slept with him and always wore his night shirts 🤔 just a friend? Who knows.
Also, Hamilton supposedly had different affairs but we don’t really know Eliza’s side as she wasn’t “that important”. It’s interesting that we mostly only have one side of the story. For example Jefferson had a mistress who was African American. And he wrote the most awful things about African Americans. So lots of double standards (nothing new), lots of manipulation and a way to get forward in Politica (like JFK enamoring us with the Camelot concept) etc etc.

[Brennan Lauritzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Good's book struck me as well researched. Good's commentary struck me as surprisingly old fashioned.

Dr. Good concludes Buchanan's chapter saying that homosexuality wasn't linked to a gay identity and guys frequently make jokes about being gay ergo he wasn't gay.

Dr Good Ended the Burr chapter saying Burr was a bad guy because by having amorous liaisons he was disregarding the reputational risks to his partners. This is discordant with earlier statements about his never disclosing the name of a casual partner and that the liaisons were consensual. Meanwhile in the Jefferson chapter there's stalking and assault but a more neutral ending.

[Dru Lattin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy listen, with little salacious detail and just enough analysis to make it more than a soap opera. I listened to this because I was looking for some historical context around our current state of "affairs" in politics. I found the lecturer's thesis - the interest in sex scandals was a reflection of a young America's vulnerability to its would-be lovers - to be fascinating, if a bit overplayed.

More than a podcast, but not much deeper than a long news article, I recommend this - especially if you are frustrated by the "Again" premise of "MAGA."

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short reminder that we can not read back our notions of sexual expression or intimacy or sexuality of the past. The cultural norms and ideas of the era, especially about gender, identity, sexuality, religion and politics.

Nothing has changed in 220 years; people are still interested in the sexuality and scandals of politicians, leaders, and other people in positions of power.

Still waiting to pass judgment on what goes on in their sexual lives.

[Rodica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A course covering several American sex scandals from the past. While I learned something and it was interesting enough, as with a lot of books covering anecdotes and tidbits, it didn’t provide enough historical and social context to make this truly compelling.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read on history. A subject spoke of in hushed tones but shows how depravity and lascivious spirits amongst those in power and not together are timeless and not new. Also the fact of how America at one time viewed these matters.

[Isolde vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

社会文化史研究非常有趣🤣人性总是如此的相通

[Rebecca McCurry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history but nothing new under the sun

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad and wonderfully short but not as much fun as I was hoping. Very academic and I found that I really didn't end up caring about any of these people. So very dull and boring sex scandals.

[Courteney Holub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Men are still pigs.

[Rémy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was certainly interesting and affirms the scandals of all the major political beings up to the 19th century.

[Donna Mouser · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A look into early American sex scandals. Breaks down a few prominent scandals from the 1700s, which was interesting! A short quick listen that is perfect for light reading.

[LaDonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting information!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The news is so full of sex scandals that i thought it would be interesting to read about some from the past. People and sex never really change much. There is no getting away from it.

[Anna Wyss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting information and fascinating facts about the broader information sex scandals give about society

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to say other than it was ok. Not insanely riveting but well done

[Laurie AH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good narration - some interesting accounts I hadn’t known about before.

[Troy Zaher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read and interesting history. Wish it was a bit longer though. A really good intro for people I think.

[John Geddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short from audible. A lot on Burr and Hamilton, but other stuff too.

Scandalous.

[Amber Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Aaron Burr’s life was certainly active! I felt this could have gone on much longer, it almost felt like it was just hitting its stride when it was done.

[Adri G.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected... more.

[AttackGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read and learn… great courses. What if you found out Trump was sleeping with Ghislaine and Epstein….