Prohibition in New York City

The Prohibition years, from 1920 to 1933, were simultaneously a wild and buttoned-up era in American history.

Moral crusaders smashed beer bottles and barrels of whiskey. Millions of Americans resisted an intrusive law, in speakeasies and nightclubs and everyday life. And mobsters made fortunes as rum-runners and moonshine boys kept the liquor flowing.

A new history says this was 20th century's original culture war, and tracks it through the wild nights of New York.

This hour On Point: when America was dry, and the gripping history of Prohibition in the Big Apple.

Guests:

Michael A. Lerner, Associate Dean of Studies at Bard High School Early College in New York City and author of the new book "Dry Manhattan: Prohibition in New York City. "