Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

The Robber Barons

Historian Adam Smith tells the stories of the giants of American business, who seized the great new opportunities thrown up by the United States' Industrial Revolution

Radio 4 Extra,5 episodes

Episodes

ListGrid

Cornelius Vanderbilt
Adam Smith tells the story of the titanic battles of shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt.
17 Oct 2016,15 mins
Jay Gould
Adam Smith tells the story of the railroad pioneer Jay Gould and his trail of corruption.
18 Oct 2016,15 mins
Andrew Carnegie
Adam Smith tells the story of steel tycoon, philanthropist and unionbuster Andrew Carnegie
19 Oct 2016,15 mins
John D. Rockefeller
Adam Smith tells the story of John D. Rockefeller, who dominated American oil for decades.
20 Oct 2016,15 mins
JP Morgan
Adam Smith tells the story of JP Morgan and his battle against ruinous competition.
21 Oct 2016,15 mins