![Book excerpt: "Madam," the story of renowned brothel owner Polly Adler](https://cbsnews1.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2021/11/06/65f47d5c-5481-4226-a5e9-abadcdc9a25c/thumbnail/1200x630/47c1fb7318f07b858672c27c5db934d4/madam-cover-doubleday-660.jpg)
Book excerpt: "Madam," the story of renowned brothel owner Polly Adler
CBSN
In "Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age" (Doubleday), Debby Applegate, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Most Famous Man in America," traces the rise and fall of one of the Prohibition Era's most renowned figures: Polly Adler, Manhattan's most successful brothel-owner, who catered to politicians, celebrities, and the mob.
Read the excerpt below, and don't miss John Dickerson's interview with Debby Applegate on "CBS Sunday Morning" November 7!
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This story previously aired on Feb. 10, 2024. It was updated on Feb. 15, 2025. AMIE HARWICK (video): You can seek therapy to address an issue like depression, anxiety, a breakup. You can also seek therapy to be a better you! GARETH PURSEHOUSE (voicemail): I have so much I need to say. Please give me a chance to just say it. … Please (crying) please.
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Signaling a major shift in civil rights enforcement, the federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws has moved to dismiss six of its own cases on behalf of workers alleging gender identity discrimination, arguing that the cases now conflict with President Donald Trump's recent executive order, court documents say.