The WORST episodes of America's Book of Secrets

Every episode of America's Book of Secrets ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of America's Book of Secrets!

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the most legendary monuments and powerful organizations in the United States? America’s Book of Secrets lifts the veil of mystery, giving you unparalleled access to historical narratives and insider information previously hidden from the public. Through in-depth research and exclusive channels, this series delves into a variety of familiar but enigmatic American institutions, from the FBI and the Pentagon to Fort Knox and Area 51. Go beyond the locked doors and security checkpoints of government agencies, famous landmarks and stealthy societies to glimpse the hidden worlds you were never intended to see.

Last Updated: 2/22/2024Network: HistoryStatus: Ended
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Presidential Transports
star
6.66
121 votes

#1 - Presidential Transports

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/25/2012

They are the most advanced and heavily protected vehicles ever built--operated by technicians prepared for the worst. But behind the bullet proof glass and armored plating of the President's fleet of vehicles are secrets. Travel by land, sea and air to explore the special construction, elite training and secret weapons that protect the President when he's on the move. Who's in charge of the President's safety on Air Force One and Marine One? Why is the Presidential Limo called "the Beast"--and who gets to drive it? What kind of defensive and offensive capabilities does the Presidential bus, known as Ground Force One, have? No matter what form of transport, moving the President safely requires the utmost secrecy. Secrets that have remained untold...until now.

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Freemasons
star
6.68
116 votes

#2 - Freemasons

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/28/2012

It is America's most private organization with secretive meetings and a membership that includes the most powerful men in America--and the world. But behind this elite brotherhood... are secrets. This episode explores the secret history, rituals and reach of the most well-known secret society in the world. How did the Freemasons shape America? What goes on at Freemason meetings? What secrets ceremonies and rituals are still conducted today? What is the meaning of Freemasonry symbols like the eye, the square and the compass? Are the Freemasons part of a New World Order with plans to control the world? For centuries, the Freemasons have been thought to be the architects behind the world's greatest international conspiracies. But more elusive than the organization itself--are its secrets. Secrets that have remained untold...until now.

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The Pentagon
star
6.69
85 votes

#3 - The Pentagon

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/31/2012

It is the epicenter of America's military operations... a five-sided fortress with a single purpose--to defend the United States and its citizens. But behind the concrete walls and re-enforced windows are secrets. Enter the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and explore the complex operations and top-secret business conducted at the largest low-rise office building in the world. How did the Pentagon get its unusual shape? How many people work at the Pentagon? What covert intelligence gathering organizations operate within the military compound--and how are their secrets protected? What top-secret information was compromised from the attack on September 11th? How quickly did the building and its tenants get back to business as usual? For seven decades, the Pentagon has been an icon of American strength and military excellence. But more impressive than the building itself are the secrets held there...until now.

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Area 51
star
6.93
113 votes

#4 - Area 51

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/11/2012

It is one of the most covert military bases on American soil, protecting the nation's most confidential research and development. For decades, the highest levels of government had denied its existence. But behind the barbed wire fences and surveillance cameras are secrets...Go inside the most famous secret military base on Earth to expose the high-tech security, undercover operations, and most outrageous claims surrounding the 575 square miles of "restricted" space. What actually goes on at Area 51? Is there a connection between Area 51 and the Roswell event of 1947? Could there be a secret subterranean city underneath the barren desert? Have the conspiracy theories surrounding Area 51 been a smokescreen for controversial military projects? While the government may never reveal what it's really hiding at Area 51, many believe it is a place where truth is stranger than fiction.

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Secret Underground
star
6.95
61 votes

#5 - Secret Underground

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/17/2014

Americans may be aware of what’s above ground, but do they know what’s concealed beneath? And could subterranean facilities on U.S. soil house secrets so dangerous, our government would stop at nothing to keep them hidden? We examine the tunnels, cities, and fortresses covertly constructed beneath the feet of the American public. Author, Nick Redfern, reveals the secret government fortress used in times of crisis to house high-ranking officials. Former CIA contractor, John Lear, discusses secret underground rail systems connecting America’s major military instillations. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura Duffy describes the Super Tunnel; the latest discovered passage in an advanced network of drug smuggling tunnels beneath the US and Mexican border. Author, Terry Kirkpatrick, discusses the possibility of terrorists teaming with drug cartels to use underground tunnels as a means to attack the United States.

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The Freemason Factor
star
6.96
26 votes

#6 - The Freemason Factor

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/25/2021

The Freemasons are rumored to be able to trace their roots back to the medieval warrior monks known as the Knights Templar, and it is an established fact that they were highly influential in the founding of the United States.

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The FBI
star
7.01
124 votes

#7 - The FBI

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/10/2012

It is America's most powerful police force--made up of an elite team of Special Agents secretly patrolling the nation--and the world. While its patriotic mission is public knowledge, the FBI's tactics are classified. We'll go undercover to reveal the secret training, special operations and state-of-the-art tools used in today's 21st century crime fighting. How far can the FBI go to prevent crime and protect Americans? What are ghost agents, and how are they used for undercover surveillance? Who is the most notorious double agent? How has the internet changed the way the FBI works? While its global reach and sophisticated technology helps keep America safe, the FBI's greatest strength is its ability to keep its crime fighting tactics secret...until now.

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The White House
star
7.03
160 votes

#8 - The White House

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/21/2012

An inside look at the secret protocols, elite security and hidden history of the world's most public of private residences. What is the most secret room in the White House and what makes it so powerful? What secret visitors have been to the White House--invited or not? What kind of background checks are needed to work at the White House? What security measures go into effect if the White House is under attack? For over 200 years, the White House has functioned as a Presidential residence, Executive Office and national command center. But more guarded than the White House itself--are its secrets. Secrets that have remained untold...until now.

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The Gold Conspiracy
star
7.05
56 votes

#9 - The Gold Conspiracy

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/19/2014

Gold. It is one of the most precious metals in the world. A glittering commodity so rare that people will go to great lengths to obtain it. But who sets the price? And what are the secret methods to control its value?Uncover the clandestine world surrounding the highly prized precious metal. How much gold does the United States really have–and where is it locked away? Is the American government overstating the amount of gold in its reserves to create the mystique of financial superiority? Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich discusses the gold standard and the possible manipulation of the commodities markets. Chairman of Euro Pacific Precious Metals Peter Schiff describes how gold could replace credit cards. And author Matthew Hart details how the U.S. is storing gold that belongs to other countries–but may now be missing from the Federal Reserve's vaults.

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The Ancient Astronaut Cover-Up
star
7.08
97 votes

#10 - The Ancient Astronaut Cover-Up

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/5/2013

The notion of a universe inhabited by alien creatures can be found just about everywhere in American popular culture. But could mankind really have been visited by alien beings from other worlds? And might the truth have been kept secret for centuries? Ancient Astronaut theorists Erich von Daniken and Giorgio Tsoukalos, along with Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, journalists, scientists and government officials explore the mainstream resistance to the idea that aliens have been visiting the Earth for centuries. Has the United States government conspired with other nations to hide the facts about mankind's extraterrestrial past? Could there really be a global cover-up of ancient alien activity? One that shields the public from a profound knowledge that, if revealed, could shatter the very fabric of our civilization?

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The Hunt for Hitler's Relics
star
7.09
22 votes

#11 - The Hunt for Hitler's Relics

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/15/2021

Adolph Hitler was deeply into the occult and even established a Nazi organization called the Ahnenerbe, with a secret mission to track down and confiscate holy relics–a fact that inspired the blockbuster film, Raiders of the Lost Ark. It was rumored that he sought not only the Ark of the Covenant, but the Holy Grail, the omphalos from the Oracle of Delphi, the entrance to the mythical land of Shambhala, and an object known as “The Spear of Destiny”–the spear that was supposedly used by a Roman soldier to pierce Christ’s side during the crucifixion. Did Hitler actually come to possess some of these ancient relics?

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Presidential Assassins
star
7.10
49 votes

#12 - Presidential Assassins

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/7/2013

Over the last century there have been four successful presidential assassinations and a multitude of failed attempts. But do we know the real story behind these assassination plots?

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American Terrorists
star
7.15
52 votes

#13 - American Terrorists

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/12/2014

Political dissidents… armed to kill. Sociopathic outsiders… harboring hatred. Religious zealots… plotting mass destruction. And all of them hiding in plain sight. But just who are these killers in our midst and is there any way to stop them? This episode delves into the world of terrorism on American soil and reveals how authorities are working to stop these radical groups. Deputy Chief of LAPD Counter Terrorism Michael Downing reveals terrorists recruiting tactics in American prisons. Former Sergeant of the Massachusetts State Police Sean Murphy recounts the manhunt for the Boston Marathon Bombers. And journalist Laura Sullivan describes how today's new terrorists may be as close as your next-door neighbor. With an estimated tens of thousands of terrorists operating in the United States, can Americans ever reclaim the peace and security that was once taken for granted? Is there any chance of winning the so-called "war on terror?"

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Black Ops
star
7.16
94 votes

#14 - Black Ops

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/24/2012

They are top-secret missions manned by specially trained intelligence and military elite. Covert operations using unconventional tactics outside the standard protocol. This episode uncovers the clandestine activities and state-of-the-art training of the U.S. Special Forces that undertake the most dangerous surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence collecting missions on Earth. What makes a mission a Black Operation or Black Op? Who approves a mission--and how much does the President know? What secret training prepares a soldier for these life and death assignments? How is the CIA involved in Black Ops? From cloak and dagger spy games to hand-to-hand combat, Black Ops are shrouded in secrecy...until now.

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The Mafia
star
7.17
65 votes

#15 - The Mafia

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/12/2013

For decades, the criminal organization known as "The Mafia" has stained the fabric of American society. But what are the secrets behind the Mob's sinister success? According to the FBI, the American Mafia still has approximately 3,000 active members, and just like the iconic mobsters of the past, the modern Mafia's ill-gotten gains still come at a price: blood, bullets, and a massive body count. Uncover the secret world of organized crime and the violent tactics used by the Cosa Nostra to gain money and power. How did the Mafia become so powerful? How is it possible that with hundreds of gang related killings in Chicago in the 1920s, not one gangster--including the most violent of all, Al Capone--was ever convicted of murder? Why was the Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, reluctant to go after the Mafia in the 1930s and 40s? Could the Mafia's influence extend beyond local police and politicians? And what new illegal activities is the Mafia involved in today?

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Presidential Cover-Ups
star
7.20
56 votes

#16 - Presidential Cover-Ups

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/17/2013

How much do we really know about what goes on behind the doors of the Oval Office?

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The Billionaire Agenda
star
7.20
25 votes

#17 - The Billionaire Agenda

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/10/2014

This episode reveals the underground world of America's wealthiest citizens and the depths at which their power and influence take root. Do billionaires think they know better than the majority? Are the American masses just objects to control? Forbes Editor Luisa Kroll talks about the growing wealth of the super-rich and the exclusive billionaire communities that are forming around them. Former United States Secretary of Labor Robert Reich divulges how billionaires' "dark money" influences American politics in ways that are off-limits to public scrutiny. And Author Mark Dice discusses the Bilderberg Group, the world's most secretive society of billionaires and the extreme measures they take to ensure that what happens behind closed doors stays behind closed doors.

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Lost Treasures
star
7.21
52 votes

#18 - Lost Treasures

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/14/2013

American treasure hunters are convinced that there are missing fortunes scattered all around the country just waiting to be found.

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Mind Control
star
7.28
18 votes

#19 - Mind Control

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/6/2021

From Masonic symbols to concealed bases and hidden tunnels that exist right under one’s feet, many of America’s best kept secrets hide in plain sight.

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The Playboy Mansion
star
7.28
94 votes

#20 - The Playboy Mansion

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/18/2012

It is America's most infamous address, a place where fantasies come to life--and anything goes. But behind the security cameras and stonewalls of the Playboy Mansion are secrets. Go inside the stately residence to reveal the secret places, decadent gatherings, and special indulgences usually reserved for beautiful women and Hollywood's elite. How hard is it to get an invitation to the Playboy Mansion? How did Hugh Hefner transform the Mansion into a palace of pleasure? Who is the most notorious guest? What does it take to protect the Mansion for outside intruders? Home to one of the world's most private of public figures, the Playboy Mansion is a sanctum of secrets.

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Protecting the President
star
7.29
21 votes

#21 - Protecting the President

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/18/2021

The United States has experienced four presidential assassinations, and two more assassination attempts nearly succeeded. But how many more occur that never reach the public? And how far do we go to protect the commander in chief?

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Secret Prisons
star
7.29
24 votes

#22 - Secret Prisons

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/3/2014

A look inside America's maximum-security ''secret'' prisons, unveiling their hidden agendas and covert operations.

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Doomsday Scenarios
star
7.30
20 votes

#23 - Doomsday Scenarios

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/29/2021

A look at what plans the United States government has in place to deal with a major attack or catastrophic event, from the designated survivor to the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Centre and FEMA catastrophe protocols.

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Inside Area 51
star
7.32
25 votes

#24 - Inside Area 51

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/22/2021

In 2013–after decades of secrecy, denials, and cover-ups–the CIA declassified documents that acknowledged the existence of a top-secret military research facility known as Area 51. But despite this disclosure, six years later in 2019, millions responded to an internet post advocating to storm the gates. Why does this Top-Secret location continue to draw so much attention–and suspicion? What really goes on within its heavily secured walls? Should we be reassured by its existence? Or fearful?

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The Drug Wars
star
7.34
56 votes

#25 - The Drug Wars

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/24/2013

Uncovering the conspiracies behind America's 40-year drug campaign and why marijuana is classified as equally dangerous as heroin.

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