The Rest Is History

Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are interrogating the past, and attempting to de-tangle the present.

They question the nature of Greatness, why the West no longer has civil wars and whether Richard Nixon was more like Caligula or Claudius.

They're distilling the entirety of human history, or, as much as they can fit into about fifty minutes.

Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community.

Here are some of our favourite episodes to get you started:

WATERGATE/NIXON apple.co/3JrVl5h

ALEXANDER THE GREAT apple.co/3Q4FaNk

HARDCORE HISTORY'S DAN CARLIN apple.co/3vqkGa3

PUTIN & RUSSIAapple.co/3zMtLfX

Episodes

December 25, 2022

For a festive special, Tom and Dominic are joined by author and alcohol historian Henry Jeffreys to discuss some Christmassy tipples, from sherry to port, champagne to clairet. Plus, a discussion on why certain drinks revealed your political leanings, and how one Shropshire gentleman set his f...

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December 21, 2022

288. Jesus Christ: The History

Join Tom and Dominic for the second of two episodes on 'Historical Jesus'. They discuss scepticism around his existence, the theories about resurrection and crucifixion, and the role of his disciples. * The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023 *: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 a...

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December 18, 2022

287. Jesus Christ: The Mystery

* The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023 *: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and performing in London, Edinburgh, and Salford! Buy your tickets here: https://robomagiclive.com/the-rest-is-history/ Jesus Christ: The Mystery In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss th...

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December 17, 2022

286. England: Beef and Liberty

* The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023 *: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and performing in London, Edinburgh, and Salford! Buy your tickets here: https://robomagiclive.com/the-rest-is-history/ England: Roast Beef and Liberty While it has now been dethroned by the might...

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December 16, 2022

285. Canada: Beaver Wars

* The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023 *: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and performing in London, Edinburgh, and Salford! Buy your tickets here: https://robomagiclive.com/the-rest-is-history/ Canada: Beaver Wars Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the illustrious his...

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December 15, 2022

284. Denmark: The Great Escape

* The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023 *: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and performing in London, Edinburgh, and Salford! Buy your tickets here: https://robomagiclive.com/the-rest-is-history/ Denmark: The Great Escape In today's episode, Tom and Dominic look at the...

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December 14, 2022

283. Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos

* The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023 *: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and performing in London, Edinburgh, and Salford! Buy your tickets here: https://robomagiclive.com/the-rest-is-history/ Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos Join Tom and Dominic as they di...

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December 13, 2022

282. Morocco: The Rif War

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Rif War, predecessor to the Spanish Civil War, set in 1920s Morocco, featuring Franco, Petain, Islamic tribesmen, American airmen and much more... Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full...

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December 12, 2022

281. Spain: The Caliphate of Córdoba

Today, Tom and Dominic are in Islamic Spain discussing Roman conquests, melancholy Emirs and vibrant harems... Don't miss the extraordinary story of the rise and fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the ful...

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December 11, 2022

280. Serbia: The Birthplace of Civilisation

A little known story. Serbia, the home to one of the first great civilisations. They had the first written scripts, they smelted copper before anyone else, lived in urban settlements. But is it true? Join Tom and Dominic as they dive into this mysterious story. Join  The Rest Is History Club...

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December 10, 2022

279. Cameroon: The Slave General of Peter the Great

In today’s World Cup special on Cameroon, Tom and Dominic tell the fascinating story of “probably the most famous Cameroonian to become a Russian General”. Learn about the extraordinary life of Major-General Abram Petrovich Gannibal, the great-grandfather of Russia’s most famous poet, Alexander Pus...

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December 9, 2022

278. France: The Mystery of Le Prince

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic explore the origins of the motion-picture camera, a device invented by "gentle giant" Louis Le Prince, who's œuvre spanned from working with pots and pans to photographing Queen Victoria or Gladstone. This history features mysterious disappearances, a jealous A...

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December 8, 2022

277. Japan: Samurai and Shoguns

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the history of Japan through six characters, with leading cultural historian of Japan, Chris Harding, as they cover feuding lords and buddhist monks, both world wars, Japanese medieval poetry, Manga culture, and much, much more. Join  The Rest Is H...

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December 7, 2022

276. Netherlands: The Maid of Holland

Join Tom and Dominic as, for the first time ever, they dip their toes into the Dutch republic. They discuss the Maid of Holland, who as both a warrior and a house maker, was emblematic of the golden age of the Dutch republic. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) fo...

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December 6, 2022

275. Argentina: The Welsh Colony

Why are there Welsh speakers born in Argentina? Join Tom and Dominic to understand the fascinating and unlikely story of a Welsh colony in the Southern Hemisphere - and whether they remain there today. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening t...

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December 5, 2022

274. Switzerland: Calvin's Cancel Culture

Today, Tom and Dominic are in 16th century Calvinist Geneva, where Michael Servetus is being condemned for heresy. Execution, imprisonment, treachery and public burnings all feature in this story which bears unusual similarities to the times we live in today… Join  The Rest Is History Club &...

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December 4, 2022

273. Portugal: The Carnation Revolution

In today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic return to the history of Portugal to discuss military coups, defence of dictatorship, Castro in Cuba, and the creation of a post-Salazar state. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the...

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December 3, 2022

272. Senegal: The Door of No Return

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Senegalese island of Gorée, and its complex relationship with the transatlantic slave trade. They look at both the history and mythology of the "House of Slaves", which still stands today as a vestige to human exploitation. Join  The Rest Is Hi...

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December 2, 2022

271. Belgium: History's Greatest Artist

Who is the greatest artist of all time? Join Tom and Dominic as Belgian historian Bart van Loo puts forward the case for the hyper-realistic and highly influential art of early Northern Renaissance painter Jan van Eyck. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for...

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December 1, 2022

270. Poland: Copernicus, the Dragon and the Salt Mine

Join Tom and Dominic as they explore the seven wonders of Poland. Hear all about Krakus the dragon-slayer, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, "Kaiser soup", the influence of Oriental fashion, and much more... Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to...

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November 30, 2022

269. Ghana: The Ashanti Empire

On today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Ashanti Empire. Tune in to hear about the Anglo-Ashanti wars, human sacrifice, the role of Robert Baden-Powell and much, much more. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full a...

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November 29, 2022

268. Brazil: The Last Emperor

As promised during the Portugal mini-series, Tom and Dominic are returning to Brazil to discuss its history post-independence. This episode will focus upon the Brazilian Empire, in particular the Emperor Pedro II. How did this boy who acceded to the throne at six years old, come to receive a French...

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November 28, 2022

267. Wales: The Roar of the Red Dragon

What are the origins of Wales? And how do the Welsh define themselves against Englishness? As England play Wales in the World Cup today, Tom and Dominic are joined by Martin Johnes, Professor of History at the University of Swansea, to explore the age old rivalry between the two nations. Join&nbs...

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November 27, 2022

266. South Korea: The Riddle of Hwang Jini

Join Tom and Dominic on their journey to the 16th century Korean peninsula, as they discuss Hwang Jini - a  gisaeng , poet, and entertainer - and her everlasting impact on Korean culture. Dubbed by Tom the 'poetic Emma Hamilton', the story of Hwang Jini takes us through Diamond Mountains, Budd...

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November 26, 2022

265. Saudi Arabia: The Mystery of the Kaaba

Join Tom and Dominic for their World Cup episode on Saudi Arabia, where they discuss 'the most famous structure in global Islam' - the Kaaba in Mecca. Tune in to hear about the Prophet Mohammed, Abdul Malik, and the origins of the most sacred site in Islam. Join  The Rest Is Hist...

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November 25, 2022

264. Mexico: Day of the Dead

On the Day of the Dead you eat pan de muerto and exchange calaveras with your friends. This celebration is often claimed to have its roots in ancient Aztec traditions of human sacrifice. But is any of this true? Join Tom and Dominic to find out. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.rest...

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November 24, 2022

263. USA vs England: The 200-Year Rivalry

In today's World Cup special, Anglo-American relations are at their most tense, as the USA and England take to the football/soccer pitch. Join Tom and Dominic as they take a retrospective look at this 200-year love-hate relationship. From the War of 1812, to Charles Dickens, all the way up to Bea...

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November 23, 2022

262. Tunisia: Dido of Carthage

Join Tom and Dominic as they tell the story of the tragic heroine of Virgil’s Aeneid - Dido of Carthage. Listen as they discuss the origins of Carthage, recite top Latin phrases, and are joined by Juliette Pochin for a beautiful rendition of Dido’s Lament. Join  The Rest Is History Club &nbs...

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November 22, 2022

261. Uruguay: The Tupamaros

In 1963, with the influence of the Cuban Revolution strong in South America, the left wing guerrilla group the Tupamaros emerged. Listen to tales of kidnappings, shootings, imprisonment and torture in the Tupamaros' quest for political power. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restish...

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November 21, 2022

260. Croatia: The Man Who Saved The Roman Empire

"In conditions of chaos, people from outside the Roman social elite can rise to the top." Join Tom and Dominic for their World Cup episode on Croatia, where they discuss the extraordinary life of the Emperor Diocletian. They talk about the Crisis of the Third Century, the Roman 'sidebar of s...

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November 20, 2022

259. Iran: England - 'The Little Satan'

On the day of England vs. Iran, Tom and Dominic are joined by friend of the show, Ali Ansari, to discuss Anglo-Iranian relations.  Tune in to hear stories of freemasons, early Iranian analysis of Tories and Whigs, the Anglo-Persian War, Salman Rushdie's fatwa, the ancestor of British Petrole...

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November 19, 2022

258. Costa Rica: Civil War

Join Tom and Dominic as they continue the World Cup series by discussing the Costa Rican Civil War. This event is filled with tremendous characters, including the historian-cum-president Teodoro Picado Michalski, José Figueres Ferrer who abolished the army, and the infamous Dr Valverde. Join&nbsp...

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November 18, 2022

257. Australia: The Mystery of the Somerton Man

In today’s Australian-themed World Cup episode, Tom leads us through the incredible true story of the Somerton Man, a murder mystery that involves an Adelaide Beach, Persian poetry, and unexpected marriage. All will be revealed… Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod...

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November 17, 2022

256. Germany: The White Rose

“ Since the conquest of Poland, 300,000 Jews have been murdered in this country in the most bestial way ... The German people slumber on in dull, stupid sleep and encourage the fascist criminals. Each wants to be exonerated of guilt, each one continues on his way with the most placid, calm conscien...

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November 16, 2022

255. Qatar: A History

It is finally here. Tom and Dominic are embarking upon their mighty World Cup themed extravaganza. Every day they will be releasing a new episode, each one based upon a different country that is competing in the tournament. 32 days, 32 countries, 32 episodes, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the rid...

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November 15, 2022

254. The World Cup: The Falklands, despots, and corruption

In their last episode on the World Cup, Tom and Dominic are joined by the face of football, Gary Lineker. They discuss England playing Argentina in the 1986 World Cup in the wake of the Falklands War, the globalisation of the competition that began with USA 1994, and the corruption that surrounds t...

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November 14, 2022

253. The World Cup: Post-war reconciliation, Brazilian dictatorship, and North Koreans in Middlesbrough

Welcome to the second episode of The Rest Is History's definitive guide to the history of the FIFA World Cup. In this episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the 1953 Match of the Century, post-war reconciliation, Dutch naked pool parties, medicals at NASA, Pickles the dog, and more. Twitter:   ...

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November 13, 2022

252. The World Cup: British Imperialism, South American rivalries, and Mussolini

Welcome to The Rest Is History's definitive guide to the history of the FIFA World Cup, which looks past the football and uncovers the personalities, geopolitics, and drama behind the tournament. In the first of three episodes, Tom and Dominic debate whether the global game is a product of Britis...

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November 11, 2022

History's coming home... (preview)

Forget the football, the next month's entertainment is coming from The Rest is History! Join Tom and Dominic over the coming weeks as they embark on their colossal festival of world history. To mark the Fifa World Cup they are bringing you an episode on every single country taking part in the com...

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November 9, 2022

251. Alfred the Great: Return of the King

Battling with the expanding power of the Vikings, listen to Tom and Dominic discover how King Alfred the Great earned his name in the second instalment of our two part series on England's Founding Father. Join  The Rest Is History Club  (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening t...

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November 6, 2022

250. Alfred the Great: Fury of the Vikings

Alfred the Great is under invasion from the Vikings. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Alfred's anointment by the Pope in Rome, his duality as both a fearsome warrior and a man of poetry, plus his unbelievable escape from a Christmas ambush from Viking invaders. The second episode in this tw...

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November 2, 2022

249. Treason in Modern Britain

Join Tom and Dominic for the second part of their exploration of the history of treason. How has the 1351 treason act impacted Britain and the world since the 17th century? This will be answered as they discuss seismic events such as the trial of Charles I, American independence, and the Easter Ris...

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October 30, 2022

247. Medieval Treason

Join Tom and Dominic at the National Archives as they explore the history of treason in Britain, going right back to the 1351 treason act. How has treason changed since its inception? Why are traitors hanged, drawn, and quartered? What impact did the reformation have upon treason? As these question...

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October 26, 2022

246. Monty & Patton vs. the Nazis

Do commanders matter? Were the British generals effective or "foppish"? How did the Allies rebound from huge losses such as the Battle of Dunkirk to victories like Alamein and D-Day? Tom and Dominic are joined by Al Murray to discuss all this and more, following the release of Al’s new bo...

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October 23, 2022

245. Trafalgar: Victory

In this final episode Tom and Dominic discuss the legendary Battle of Trafalgar. Despite being outnumbered and facing the biggest ship in the world, Nelson took the battle to the French and Spanish forces. With the swell on his side, Nelson’s brave leadership from the deck of the Victory gave the B...

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October 20, 2022

The Fall of Liz Truss

After just 45 days, Liz Truss has resigned. Join Tom and Dominic for this special episode to discuss her place in history. Is she Britain's worst ever Prime Minister? Is this the worst crisis in post-war British history? How does she compare to Gordian I? Is Tom Holland getting a peerage? All wil...

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October 19, 2022

244. Trafalgar: Countdown to Annihilation

In the second episode of Tom and Dominic's Trafalgar trilogy, the stakes could not be higher. They discuss: Napoleon's plan to invade Britain (and the possible repercussions if he did); what developments in naval technology meant for the British and Spanish/French allies; and Nelson's own life, leg...

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October 16, 2022

243. Trafalgar: A World at War

Was the Battle of Trafalgar the most decisive battle of the 19th century? Join Tom and Dominic as they embark on a three part series discussing this incredible conflict between the British Royal Navy and combined fleets of the French and Spanish navies, focusing in this episode on the dis...

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October 12, 2022

242. French History on Film

Tom and Dominic welcome film critic Muriel Zagha to discuss the home of cinema, France, and its history through ten films, spanning from Vercingétorix to Vichy. Featuring Jean Renoir, Isabelle Adjani, Louis de Funès and many more... Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook ...

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October 9, 2022

241. Young Churchill: Prisoner and Fugitive

In the final instalment of our series on Young Churchill, learn how Churchill escaped a prisoner of war camp in the Boer War, becoming an imperialist hero. Discover how Churchill sought shelter in rat infested hideaways, escaped in the tight consignment of a train, plus how the simple activity of a...

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October 5, 2022

240. Young Churchill: Soldier of Empire

Join Tom and Dominic in the second episode of our mini-series on Young Churchill as they dive into his imperial exploits. From Cuba to Sudan, they explore his obsession with adventure, the ambiguities that existed within his own moral universe, and his swashbuckling prose. Join  The Rest Is ...

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October 2, 2022

239. Young Churchill: Born to Lead

‘The child is the father of the man.’ In the first episode of this mini-series on Young Churchill, Tom and Dominic explore the early life of Winston Churchill. They discuss the cruelty of his parents, his deeply imbued sense of destiny, and the razor sharp wit of the future Prime Minister. Join...

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September 28, 2022

238. The Regency Revolution

How were the bonnets, corsets, and empire line dresses of the Regency period expressive of a revolutionary era? In this episode, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by Hilary Davidson to discuss fashion in early 19th century Britain. Diving into the world of Jane Austen, they look to und...

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September 25, 2022

237. Marilyn Monroe

Actress, singer, model and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe has long been associated with old school Hollywood glamour and American pop culture. But why is she worth studying historically? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Marilyn's relationship to the Mafia, JFK, the Korean War and her persisting rele...

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September 21, 2022

236. China and World War II - Part 2

Tom and Dominic welcome back special guest Rana Mitter to discuss China's position during World War Two. This episode covers the Rape of Nanjing by Japanese forces, the military tactic of flooding the Yellow River, the deal between Chinese Nationalist Wang Jin Wei and Japan, a...

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September 19, 2022

235. China and World War II - Part 1

Friend of the show Rana Mitter joins Tom and Dominic this week to discuss the role of China in the Second World War. In the first of two episodes, Rana, Tom and Dominic cover the fall of the last Emperor and the establishment of a Chinese Republic in 1912, the Opium Wars,...

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September 14, 2022

234. Germans Behaving Badly

Why is modern society so self-obsessed? The answer may be found in a group of late 18th century German rebels, including the writer Goethe and playwright Friedrich Schiller. Andrea Wulf joins Dominic and Tom in today's episode to discuss the rebels' progressive (and often scandalous) lives and h...

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September 11, 2022

233. The Loch Ness Monster

Does the Loch Ness Monster exist? When was the first mention of it recorded in history? And who are the people who have claimed to have seen it? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss how a few 'sightings' of a mysterious creature took the world by storm... Join  The Rest Is History Club &nb...

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September 9, 2022

232. Queen Elizabeth II - part 2

In February 1952, on the death of her father King George VI, the 25-year-old Elizabeth became Queen. During her long reign she was served by 15 Prime Ministers and met an extraordinary array of people. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland here examine her 70 years as Queen of the United Kingdom & 1...

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September 9, 2022

231. Queen Elizabeth II - part 1

The death of the Queen at the age of 96 brings to an end seven decades of her reign over Britain and the Commonwealth. In the first of a two-part series, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland look back at the early years of Elizabeth’s life, leading up to her coronation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

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September 7, 2022

230. Portugal: Football, Fado, and Fascism?

In the final chapter of this series on the history of Portugal, Tom and Dominic explore Portugal in the 20th century, the two World Wars, the Miracle of Fatima and dictator Antonio Salazar. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full archive, we...

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September 6, 2022

229. Portugal: Gold, Earthquakes, and Brazil

Earthquakes, gold rush, and Brazil. Join Tom and Dominic for the third episode in this history of Portugal series. Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Email: restishistorypod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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September 5, 2022

228. Portugal: The Golden Age of Discovery

In the second episode of this Portugal mini-series, Tom and Dominic discuss the Portuguese setting sail for far flung reaches of the world, their relationship with Philip II of Spain, and the impact of Vasco da Gama. Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Email: restishisto...

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September 4, 2022

227. Portugal: On the Edge of the World

Welcome to The Rest Is History's Portugal mini-series! In the first of four episodes on Portugal, Tom and Dominic chart the nation's early history: Romans, Visigoths, the Reconquista, alliances with England, and much, much more... This episode is kindly sponsored by Wine52 - to claim your free ...

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September 1, 2022

ARCHIVE: Gorbachev, the fall of the Soviet Union, and the rise of Putin

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, died aged 91 this week. In March 2022, Tom and Dominic recorded a mini-series on Gorbachev, the fall of the Soviet Union and the subsequent rise of Putin. We’ve stitched together the first two episodes from the series into a longer special...

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August 31, 2022

226. The Lord of the Rings

Written in stages between 1937 and 1949, The Lord of the Rings is one of the best-selling books ever written, with over 150 million copies sold. Join Tom and Dominic in the second of two episodes on the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien, where they discuss the themes of encroaching industriali...

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August 28, 2022

225. J.R.R. Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is one of the most prestigious authors in modern history, best known for writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings . In the first of two episodes, Tom and Dominic explore Tolkien's childhood, his relationship with religion, and the impact that the rapidly chang...

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August 24, 2022

224. Roman Holidays

Grand villas on the Bay of Naples, engraving names on Egyptian singing statues, and sightseeing tours of Biblical sights in the Levant. The fourth and final episode of this series explores Roman holidays - join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the destinations and activities of the ancient holida...

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August 21, 2022

223. Sun, Sea, and Sex

The rise and fall of Butlin's, Benidorm and Franco, class, package holidays, bikinis, mass tourism and sunbathing. The third episode in our holiday series has it all - join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the history of modern holidays in the post First World War era. Join  The Rest Is Histo...

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August 17, 2022

222. Victorian Holidays

The birth of guide books, resorts, and the package holiday. In the second episode in our holidays series Tom and Dominic drill down into the story of Thomas Cook, package tours, and nightmarish German spa treatments. The third holidays episode, 'Sun, Sea and Sex', will be out on Monday, follo...

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August 15, 2022

Introducing Empire with William Dalrymple

Today's feed drop features friend of the show William Dalrymple discussing his new podcast, Empire, which he hosts alongside Anita Anand. How do empires rise? Why do they fall? And how have they shaped the world around us today? This new show explores the stories, personalities and events of em...

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August 14, 2022

221. Holidays: Byron's Grand Tour

Welcome to the first of four episodes on the history of holidays: Byron's Grand Tour; The Invention of Mass Tourism; Sun, Sea and Sex; and Roman Holidays. In the first episode, Tom and Dominic explore the adventures of Byron, Boswell and their peers contemporaries to foreign lands, where they pur...

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August 10, 2022

220. Justinian & Theodora: The Secret History

Wars, disease, and legacy. In the final episode of the trilogy, Tom and Dominic discuss the Byzantine reconquest of Italy, the arrival of the Justinianic plague, and the legacy of Justinian and Theodora. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the ...

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August 8, 2022

219. Justinian: Making Rome Great Again

The Riot that destroyed a city and almost brought down an Emperor... In the second part of our trilogy, Tom and Dominic discuss the Nika riots in the early part of Justinian's reign, and how he set himself out as the defender of Christendom against the Persian Empire in the East. ...

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August 7, 2022

218. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium

In the first episode of a three part series, Tom and Dominic dive into the incredible story of Justinian and Theodora. Tune in for an incredible (and racy) introduction to the powerful Byzantine empress, the collapse of the Western half of the Roman Empire, and a deep-dive into the great city of ...

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August 3, 2022

217. Plague and the decline of the Roman Empire

Tom and Dominic are joined by friend of the show Kyle Harper to discuss how pandemics and disease played a far greater role in the decline of the Roman Empire than previously understood. On the show Kyle, Dominic, and Tom discuss life expectancy, how the Roman Empire was ‘bad for people’s health'...

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July 31, 2022

‘ If it became necessary immediately to discard every line and method of communications used on the front, except one, and it were left to me to select that one method, I should unhesitatingly choose the pigeons ’, wrote Major General Fowler, Chief of Signals and Communications of the British Army,...

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July 27, 2022

215. Stalingrad and the Red Army

Tom and Dominic are again joined by Iain MacGregor to discuss the climax of the Battle of Stalingrad, Pavlov's House, and the Red Army's counter offensive that ultimately defeated the Axis forces. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bon...

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July 24, 2022

214. The Battle of Stalingrad

Stalingrad: the bloodiest battle of the Second World War. Tom and Dominic are joined by Iain MacGregor to discuss the build up, context and outbreak of the Battle of Stalingrad. A second Stalingrad episode will be released on Thursday to your podcast feed. However, if you are part of The Rest I...

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July 21, 2022

213. London: Moments

Welcome to the fifth and final episode in our London Week. Enjoyed the series? Click here to become a member of  The Rest Is History Club - you'll get ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. London: ...

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July 20, 2022

212. Haunted London

Welcome to the fourth episode in our London Week mini-series. To get tomorrow's final episode right now, become a member of  The Rest Is History Club - you'll also get ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom commu...

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July 19, 2022

211. London: People

Welcome to the third episode in our new mini-series: LONDON WEEK. From Monday to Friday we're releasing an episode daily. Monday's 'Londinium' and Thursday's 'Haunted London' are live episodes we recorded on location earlier this year. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday we're releasing episodes on...

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July 18, 2022

210. London: Places

Welcome to the second episode in our new mini-series: LONDON WEEK. From Monday to Friday we'll release an episode daily. Monday's 'Londinium' and Thursday's 'Haunted London' are live episodes we recorded on location earlier this year. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday we're releasing episodes on ...

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July 17, 2022

Welcome to the first episode in our new mini-series: LONDON WEEK. From Monday to Friday we'll release an episode daily. Today's 'Londinium' and Thursday's 'Haunted London' are live episodes we recorded on location earlier this year. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday we'll be releasing episodes on...

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July 14, 2022

From Revisionist History: Margaret Mitchell and A Star is Born

We’re sharing a bonus episode from our friends at Revisionist History, Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast about things misunderstood and overlooked. This season, Malcolm’s obsessed with experiments – natural experiments, scientific experiments, thought experiments. In this episode of Revisionist History...

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July 13, 2022

208. George Orwell

George Orwell is one of the most celebrated novelists, essayists, and journalists in modern British history.  Tom and Dominic are joined by Robert Colls, Professor Emeritus of History at De Montfort University, to discuss the life and legacy of the man who wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four, An...

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July 12, 2022

207. Historical Love Island: THE WINNER

Historical Love Island has swept the nation and the podcasting world since Monday, when four couples made it to the final: General Custer & Lola Montez, Lord Byron & Sporus, Stanley Baldwin & Theodora, and Jimmy Carter & Olympias. Fans flocked to Twitter to vote for their favourit...

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July 10, 2022

206. Historical Love Island

The Love Island phenomenon is sweeping the nation, so Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by Tom's daughter, Katy Holland, to play their part in creating a ‘villa’ made up of historical figures. Who will loveable nice-boy Jimmy Carter ‘couple up’ with? Will Judas Iscariot and Stanley Baldw...

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July 7, 2022

205. The Last Days of Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson has resigned. In a special episode of The Rest Is History Tom and Dominic dissect the tumultuous last few days in British politics, with references and comparisons to Roman emperors, Margaret Thatcher, and other characters from modern and ancient history. Join  The Rest Is Hi...

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July 6, 2022

204. Gone with the Wind

"There was a land of cavaliers and cotton fields called the Old South". Tom and Dominic are joined by Sarah Churchwell to discuss the 'Lost Cause' myth that has pervaded American culture for 150 years, its embodiment in both the novel and film version of Gone with the Wind, and what insight it ...

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July 3, 2022

203. American Civil War: Aftermath & Legacy

In the final episode of this 'American Civil War' series, Tom, Dominic and historian Adam Smith look at the end of the conflict, the subsequent assassination of Abraham Lincoln and how the war is viewed in modern day America. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the ...

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June 29, 2022

202. American Civil War: Gettysburg

Tom, Dominic and historian Adam Smith look at the most famous battle of the war and Abraham Lincoln’s 272 word address that became one of the best known speeches of all time. They also discuss the conditions of the black population during the conflict. The release date of the last episode, '...

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June 27, 2022

201. American Civil War: Outbreak

Welcome to the second episode in The Rest Is History's 'American Civil War' series. The release schedule of the remaining two episodes is as follows: Gettysburg (Thursday 30th June) Aftermath & Legacy (Monday 4th July) However, members of  The Rest Is History Club  get all episo...

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June 26, 2022

200. American Civil War: The Causes

Welcome to The Rest Is History 'American Civil War' series. The release schedule of the four episodes is as follows: The Causes (Monday 27th June) Outbreak (Tuesday 28th June) Gettysburg (Thursday 30th June) Aftermath & Legacy (Monday 4th July) However, members of  The Rest Is Hist...

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June 22, 2022

199. Stonehenge

On today's pod Tom and Dominic are joined by Stonehenge expert Mike Pitts to discuss all the big questions that surround Stonehenge: Who built it? How did they build it? What was it built for? Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly ...

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June 19, 2022

198. Cleopatra's Downfall

Join Tom and Dominic for the fourth and final instalment in their Cleopatra mini-series, as they discuss Octavian's propaganda, the war he waged against Antony and Cleopatra, and their ultimate demise.  Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full arc...

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June 17, 2022

ARCHIVE: Watergate (Part 2)

Watergate 50th Anniversary re-release (Part 2): Last October we recorded a two part special on the remarkable political story which became known as Watergate. Today marks 50 years since the break-in at the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. - which marked the ...

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June 17, 2022

ARCHIVE: Watergate (Part 1)

Watergate 50th Anniversary re-release: Last October we recorded a two part special on the remarkable political story which became known as Watergate. Today marks 50 years since the break-in at the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. - which marked the start of ...

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June 15, 2022

197. Antony & Cleopatra

After centuries of Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s relationship being told and fictionalised by Plutarch and Shakespeare alike, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook uncover what history tells us about this power couple. They reveal how the rise of Octavian as a threat caused Mark Antony to turn to Cl...

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June 13, 2022

196. Julius Caesar & Cleopatra

Join Tom and Dominic for the second episode of this four part mini-series on Cleopatra, where they discuss her relationship with Julius Caesar and the role this relationship played in the politics of Rome.  The release schedule of the remaining two episodes of the series is 'Antony...

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June 12, 2022

195. Young Cleopatra

Welcome to The Rest Is History Cleopatra series! The release schedule of the four episodes is as follows: Young Cleopatra (Monday 13th June) Julius Caesar & Cleopatra (Tuesday 14th June) Antony & Cleopatra (Thursday 16th June) Cleopatra's Downfall (Monday 20th June) However, members...

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June 8, 2022

194. The First Fascist

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the 'first' fascist, Gabriele D'Annunzio, with historian Lucy Hughes-Hallett. D'Annunzio was a key figure in Italian literature before becoming a political figure later in his life. Although never personally identifying with fascism, h...

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June 6, 2022

193. How Prime Ministers Fall

As British PM Boris Johnson survives a no confidence vote, Tom and Dominic record a special episode on the history of bringing down Prime Ministers. Prominent victims include Asquith, Chamberlain, Thatcher and Blair. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full arch...

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June 5, 2022

192. Robin Hood

Join Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook as they uncover the origins of Robin Hood. What was the earliest mention of Robin Hood in text? How has Robin Hood evolved through time to become the legend that he is today? Did he have a real-life counterpart? Join  Th...

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June 1, 2022

191. Childbirth

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic talk to Sara Read about the history of childbirth. Sara unveils the origin of the word 'gossip' and its connection to midwifery. As well as this, they discuss how someone would qualify as a midwife; the relationship between religion and childbirth; an...

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May 29, 2022

In today's episode of The Rest Is History Dominic and Tom look at how Jubilees have served as a moment for Britain to stop and reflect. From the celebrations of George III, Queen Victoria and George V to the modern jamborees of Elizabeth II, here's all you need to know before this year's Platinum...

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May 25, 2022

189. Australian Prime Ministers: Bob Hawke - Scott Morrison

Join Tom and Dominic for the final episode of their Australian epic. Tune in to hear about the exploits of the most recent stretch of prime ministers, spanning from Bob Hawke to Scott Morrison. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episo...

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May 23, 2022

188. Australian Prime Ministers: Harold Holt - Malcolm Fraser

In the second part of our Australian PMs trilogy, Tom and Dominic explore Chinese Communist conspiracy theories and talk about the most entertaining of all the Aussie leaders. The final instalment of this mini-series will be in your podcast feed on Thursday. To get the last episode right now, j...

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May 22, 2022

187. Australian Prime Ministers: Edmund Barton - Robert Menzies

In the wake of Anthony Albanese's victory in this weekend's Australian election, Tom and Dominic have recorded a three part Antipodean special on the history of Australian prime ministers. The first episode begins in 1901 with Edmund Barton, covers both World Wars, and drills down into the premie...

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May 18, 2022

186. The New Elizabethan Age

The longest reigning monarch in British history, Elizabeth II acceded to the throne 70 years ago. To mark the occasion, Tom and Dominic are joined by Frances Christie, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's UK and Ireland, who specialises in 20th century British art and culture. Together they drill down in...

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May 15, 2022

185. Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist in history. Coinciding neatly with the 'Wagatha Christie' trial taking place between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy in the UK, Tom and Dominic look at Christie as a mirror held up to the 20th century, discuss what we can learn about Christianity and t...

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May 11, 2022

184. History's Biggest Questions with Dan Carlin (Part 2)

Could the West have lost the Cold War? Would we be happier if we didn't study history? Would you prefer to have a samurai, a Viking or a Spartan as your bodyguard? Tom and Dominic are joined by Hardcore History's Dan Carlin for a second episode to tackle the biggest questions in history. Join&n...

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May 8, 2022

183. History's Biggest Questions with Dan Carlin (Part 1)

Who was the most influential leader of the 20th century? What would have happened if the South had won the American Civil War? Would you rather be under siege from the Mongols, the Romans, or the Assyrians? In a huge moment for transatlantic history podcasting, Tom and Dominic are joined by titan...

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May 4, 2022

182. Operation Barbarossa

What military parallels does Putin's invasion of Ukraine have with Hitler's attempt to invade the Soviet Union? On today's pod Tom and Dominic are joined by historian - and brother of Tom - James Holland to discuss Operation Barbarossa and the Nazi invasion of 1941, whether it was doomed to fail,...

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May 1, 2022

181. The Birth of Babylon

In January, Tom and Dominic explored the history of Babylon, from Nebuchadnezzar onwards (episode 145 in the Rest Is History feed). At the end of that episode, there was a promise to revisit Babylon's earlier period to fully do the topic justice - so here it is! Tune in to hear about the consta...

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April 27, 2022

180. England & Englishness

George Orwell, a love of wildlife, and Raheem Sterling - but what does it mean to be English in the modern world? In today's episode, Tom and Dominic are joined by the New Statesman editor, Jason Cowley, to discuss England and Englishness in the 20th century. Jason's new book ' Who Are We Now?'...

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April 25, 2022

179. French Presidents: 1981-2022

In the second of two episodes covering France's post-war presidents, Tom and Dominic drill down into the remaining historical statesmen, bringing us right up to the current day. François Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, François Hollande, and Emmanuel Macron - ther...

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April 24, 2022

178. French Presidents: 1958-1981

It's the day after the French election runoff between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, so naturally here's a Rest Is History French Presidents special. Charles de Gaulle, Georges Pompidou, and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Join Tom and Dominic for the first of two episodes on the topic, a...

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April 20, 2022

177. The Jewish Revolt

In the second of two episodes on the Jewish Revolt, Tom and Dominic discuss the burning of the Temple, Vespasian & Titus' triumph, and Masada. Why was it such a landmark revolt for both Christianity and Judaism? What happened in its aftermath? And what has its historical significance been in ...

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April 17, 2022

176. The Jews Against Rome

"The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans: a thrilling, terrible, and blood-soaked story." Following on from last week's episode on the Crucifixion, Tom and Dominic take us back to Judea to dissect the tumultuous events of the Jewish Revolt. Tune in to hear the first part of the incredible st...

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April 13, 2022

175. Crucifixion

Crucifixions were a form of public execution so heinous that the Romans themselves were reluctant to document their gory details... In this Easter special, Tom and Dominic trace the origins and evolution of crucifixion - as well as the historical accuracy of Jesus' death. Warning: this pod is n...

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April 10, 2022

174. Merlin, Magic and the British

Richard II, Prince Charles, and Tony Blair. From Merlin, to the middle ages, to the modern day, the mysterious world of magic, necromancy and the occult has had a notable presence in the lives of British monarchs, politicians and members of high society.  Tom and Dominic are joined by Franci...

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April 6, 2022

173. Chairman Mao & the Cultural Revolution

China's Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao was one of the most staggeringly brutal events in recent human history. Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Rana Mitter, who specialises in the history of Republican China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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April 3, 2022

172. The Falklands War: Afterlife

In the final part of our Falklands series, Tom and Dominic discuss the legacy of the war in both the UK and Argentina, and debate whether the nostalgic sentiment stirred by Britain’s victory laid the foundations for Brexit. If you enjoyed this series and want a deeper dive into the Falklands War,...

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March 30, 2022

171. The Falklands War: Battle for the Islands

In the third episode of our Falklands War mini-series, the story heats up. The most controversial episode of the war, the sinking of the Belgrano, takes place, the British Task Force lands and battle plays out. Tom and Dominic thumb through their copies of the Sun, relive Reagan's final plea to...

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March 28, 2022

170. The Falklands War: The Task Force Sails

In the second episode of our Falklands War mini-series, Britain is faced with an Argentine occupation and prepares to go to war. Margaret Thatcher discovers her inner Winston Churchill - but faces a titanic showdown in Parliament, which sits on a Saturday for the first time since Suez. The Task...

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March 27, 2022

169. The Falklands War: Countdown to Invasion

Welcome to our mini-series on The Falklands War, where Tom and Dominic will break down the causes, conflict and aftermath of the war on its fortieth anniversary.  In the first episode we dig into the history of the islands, the causes behind the Argentine invasion, and the domestic situation...

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March 24, 2022

168. Oil: Conflict, Chaos and Climate Change

Tom and Dominic are back with Helen Thompson for a second episode on the history of oil, its impact and how it shapes geopolitics. Tune in to hear about the impact of oil production on US Politics, its importance to the history and current situation in Ukraine, and what we can learn about oil fro...

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March 23, 2022

167. Oil: The Making of the Modern World

Tom and Dominic are joined by Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge, to talk about the incredible influence of oil over the last couple of centuries. Discussion covers the first oil well ever drilled, how it's hard to overestimate Hitler's obsession with oi...

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March 21, 2022

166. Genghis Khan: Lord of the Mongols

The second of two episodes on Genghis Khan, listen to yesterday's pod (165. The Rise of Genghis Khan) before listening to this one! 'An almost sacral figure' in the words of Tom Holland, Genghis Khan has become the paramount leader of the Mongols.  Can we call his kingdom a 'Mongol Empire'...

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March 20, 2022

165. The Rise of Genghis Khan

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook speak to Ali Ansari about the origins of one of the greatest warlords in human history - Genghis Khan. They discuss his early life as Temujin and how he became Genghis Khan, leader of the Mongols. Catch the second episode - Genghis Khan: Lord of the Mongols&nbs...

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March 16, 2022

164. Saint Patrick

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  No, Tom isn't turning Brixton's River Effra green, nor is Dominic distributing shamrocks throughout the Oxfordshire countryside, but they're here anyway with a very special pod on the mysterious Apostle of Ireland.  When was St. Patrick alive? ...

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March 13, 2022

163. The Last Emperor of Mexico

What links the Mexican Republic, Palmerston, the Hapsburgs, Napoleon III and butterfly catching? Please tweet us if you can think of anything other than the following answer, which is the incredible story of the Last Emperor of Mexico. Tom and Dominic are joined by E...

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March 9, 2022

162. Putin's Russia

[Episode 4 of 4] 'In the noughties, Russian democracy becomes a form of show business' In the final instalment of our Russia mini-series, Tom and Dominic reach the climax of Putin’s rise to power, charting how a former KGB agent managed to climb from relative obscurity to become the uncrowned T...

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March 8, 2022

161. Yeltsin, Economic Chaos and President Putin

[Episode 3 of 4] 'You certainly won't understand what ordinary Russians see in Vladimir Putin if you don't understand what happened in the 1990s. A time of utter, utter collapse.'  In part three of our Soviet Union, Russia and Putin series, Tom and Dominic drill down into the details of th...

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March 7, 2022

160. The Fall of the Soviet Union

[Episode 2 of 4] This episode of The Rest Is History marks the second instalment in our four part series on the Soviet Union, Russia and the rise of Vladimir Putin. From the 70th anniversary of the Russian Revolution in 1987 to the fall of the Soviet Union on Christmas Day 1991, this episode is...

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March 6, 2022

159. Young Putin, the KGB and the Soviet Union

[Episode 1 of 4] Welcome to our new four part series on the latter years of the Soviet Union, its fall, Putin's early life and his subsequent rise to power. Today's episode focuses on Brezhnev, Putin's formative years, his early KGB career and Gorbachev's descent into chaos. Was Putin a natio...

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March 2, 2022

158. Killer Fashion

How much do you know about the lethal price people have paid over the centuries to look fashionable? In today's episode Tom and Dominic are joined by Dr. Alison Matthews David to discuss the dark secrets behind the history of garments. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free ...

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March 1, 2022

The Rest Is Politics: Putin in person, Russian influence, and Blair vs Bono

What's Vladimir Putin like to deal with in person? In our new podcast "The Rest Is Politics", Tony Blair's former spokesperson Alastair Campbell and former Tory MP and cabinet minister Rory Stewart dive into the latest on Ukraine, give their insight into the most effective next steps for NATO, expl...

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February 28, 2022

157. Byzantium and the Ghosts of Rome

What happened to the Roman Empire after its fall? In the second of two episodes, Tom and Dominic discuss where Rome endured, how its ghost still haunts 21st century geopolitics, and which member of the British Royal Family Tom thinks is the last true Roman! Join  The Rest Is History Club &...

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February 27, 2022

156. When did the Roman Empire fall?

Tom and Dominic explore what Edward Gibbon called “the greatest, perhaps, and most awful scene in the history of mankind”: the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and ...

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February 22, 2022

155. Ukraine and Russia

With eastern Europe apparently on the brink of war and Vladimir Putin citing history as pretext, what exactly is Ukraine? Is it distinct from Russia, and how long has it existed? Tom and Dominic run through a brutal and fractured history, from the Viking conquest and Kyivan Rus', to the ever-shiftin...

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February 22, 2022

ARCHIVE: The Vikings and the birth of Kyiv

Want to know more about the history of the Vikings in the East and how it relates to modern day Russia and Ukraine? Listen to our bumper episode on the topic from earlier this year, where Tom and Dominic drill down into the birth of Kyiv. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free list...

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February 22, 2022

ARCHIVE: Ukraine and the United Kingdom

With Russia seemingly on the brink of invading Ukraine, here's an episode from our archives on the historical relationship between the UK and Ukraine, recorded during last year's European football championships. Join  The Rest Is History Club  for ad-free listening to the full archive, ...

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February 20, 2022

154. The Most Disastrous Party in History

We've all been to some terrible ones, but what is the most disastrous party in human history?  Not at all inspired by recent political events, Tom and Dominic have whittled our listener suggestions down to the ten parties that they think are the most calamitous - tune in to hear which party ...

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February 17, 2022

153. God and the American Empire

On today's episode Tom and Dominic are joined by Friend of the Show, Professor Andrew Preston, to talk about the relationship between the US and religion, both at home and abroad in the 20th and 21st centuries. Why have there been such low levels of anti-clericalism in the US compared to the rest...

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February 16, 2022

152. American Crusades

On today's episode Tom and Dominic are joined by Andrew Preston, a Cambridge University professor whose new book focuses on religion in American war and diplomacy. What is the role of religion in the American outlook? How has it shaped foreign policy? What is the relationship between pacifistic r...

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February 13, 2022

151. Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Have you ever wondered why we send each other cards and go out to Carluccio's for dinner on a weeknight? In today's episode, Tom and Dominic drill down into the details - what are its origins? Why were 'Vinegar' Valentines so brutal? And what was an optician's role in Al Ca...

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February 10, 2022

Real Dictators: Adolf Hitler's Day In Court

Today we're dropping an episode from our friends at  Noiser . Their podcast brings us to Munich, Germany. November 1923. The Nazis have just attempted to launch a revolution. But instead, Adolf Hitler now finds himself on the run from the law. Unless he makes it to the border, the firing ...

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February 9, 2022

Did you think smuggling in Britain was confined to the Jamaica Inn and the beaches of the Cornish coast? If so, you might want to listen to today's podcast, where Tom and Dominic are joined by author and smuggling oracle, Alex Preston. The discussion is wide-ranging, including wrecking, the Hawkh...

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February 7, 2022

149. The Birth of Russia

In the second of two episodes on the Vikings in the East, Tom and Dominic investigate their role in the birth of Russia. Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and...

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February 6, 2022

148. The Vikings Go East

In this week's episode, Tom and Dominic take a look at the actions, influence and brutalisation of the Vikings in Eastern Europe, including their role in the formation of Russia and Ukraine. Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listeni...

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February 3, 2022

147. Disease, the New World and modern pandemics

How devastating were European arrivals to the Americas in terms of deaths and the introduction of new infectious diseases? Tom and Dominic are joined by Professor Kyle Harper from the University of Oklahoma to discuss the relationship between disease and colonial expansion, the origins of the Spa...

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February 2, 2022

146. Disease vs. the rise of civilisation

The way we die has been utterly transformed. There have been around 10,000 generations of human beings, but only in the last 3 or 4 have infectious diseases not been an expected and accepted cause of death. What drove the most deadly infectious diseases? Was technological progress and globalisa...

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January 30, 2022

Greatest city on earth. Den of iniquity. Imperial oppressor. Wealth and power. The ancient city of Babylon has been mythologised for millenia, but how much do we actually know and why does it still resonate today? Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport Twitter: @TheRestHistor...

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January 27, 2022

144. The Trial of Charles I Part 2

Tune in to hear the second part of The Rest Is History's take on the execution of Charles I and its aftermath. Charles I was executed 373 years ago to the day on 30th January. But was his killing a sinful act of treason or merely one of retributive justice? Tom and Dominic welcome back Profess...

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January 26, 2022

143. The Trial of Charles I Part 1

Charles I was executed 373 years ago to the day on 30th January. But was his killing a sinful act of treason or merely one of retributive justice? Tom and Dominic welcome back Professor Ted Vallance from the University of Roehampton to explore the build-up, event and aftermath of the trial of Cha...

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January 24, 2022

142. General Gordon and the Siege of Khartoum

What happened to Gordon at Khartoum? Described by Dominic as the 'greatest media event of the Victorian era', this second parter is not to be missed. Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Email: restishistorypod@gmail.com ...

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January 23, 2022

141. General Gordon: The Ultimate Victorian Hero

Who was General Gordon?  Tune in to hear about the life and times of the 'emblematic martyr of the Victorian age'. Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Email: restishistorypod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

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January 19, 2022

140. The Birth of the Railways

Today Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Dan Jackson to talk about one of the greatest inventions known to man - the railways. Where were they first created? When did they arrive in England? And how did they relate to the standardisation of GMT in Britain? From Eric Hobsbawm to cucumber st...

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January 17, 2022

139. The Princes in the Tower Part 2

Who killed the Princes in the Tower? The inspiration behind Shakespeare's Richard III, their murder remains one of the greatest mysteries in English history.  In the second of two episodes, all eyes turn to Richard III, prime suspect in the disappearance of Edward IV's sons.  Tom and ...

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January 16, 2022

138. The Princes in the Tower Part 1

Who killed the Princes in the Tower? The inspiration behind Shakespeare's Richard III, their murder is one of the greatest mysteries in English history.  In the first of two episodes, we start with the princes' father, Edward IV. Tom and Dominic discuss the remarkable parallels between Edwar...

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January 13, 2022

137. 1922: The Birth of the Modern World Part 2

In part 2 of this centennial episode, Tom and Dominic cover the triggering of the Irish Civil War, the birth of the BBC, and Howard Carter's ' Tutmania '.  Plus, have you ever wondered how many stars Dominic's 1995 Edinburgh Fringe performance of Becket REALLY received from  The Scotsma...

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January 12, 2022

136. 1922: The Birth of the Modern World Part 1

2022 marks 100 years since one of the most important years in modern history. In part 1 Tom and Dominic discuss all things 1922: Bolshevism, fascism, and the significance of  The Waste Land  and Ulysses .  Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHisto...

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January 10, 2022

135. Crossing the Rubicon: The die is cast

Now ready to take on Pompey and the Senate, Julius Caesar must take the final step and cross over into Italy with his legion. Join The Rest Is History Club for early access, ad-free episodes, bonus content and more at www.restishistorypod.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

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January 9, 2022

134. Crossing the Rubicon: The rise of Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar crossed the banks of the Rubicon river with his legion on this day (maybe) over 2000 years ago. In the first of a two-parter, Tom explains how Caesar rose to become powerful enough to take the decision that would eventually lead to him becoming the sole 'dictator' of Rome. If you ca...

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January 5, 2022

12 Days: Alfred the Great and Pepys' 'Fanatiques'

A key battle in the history of England and a forgotten uprising in 17th century London round off our 12 (13) Days of Christmas. Back with to our regular schedule next Monday 10th January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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January 4, 2022

12 Days: Death of Edward the Confessor and the Dreyfus Affair

The catalyst for the upheaval of 1066 and one of the most controversial episodes in French history happened on this day in history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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January 3, 2022

12 Days: Solomon Northup and Albert Camus

Tom analyses the historical importance of Solomon Northup's story, made famous by Steve McQueen's '12 Years A Slave'. Then, Dominic delves into the death of French philosopher and author Albert Camus. Tune in to also hear about the travails of Monsieur Sandbrook, the 21-year-old Provence-based Engli...

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January 2, 2022

12 Days: Martin Luther and J.R.R. Tolkien

Luther's excommunication from the Catholic church and the birth of the author of Lord of the Rings happened on this day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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January 1, 2022

12 Days: Reconquest of Spain and the Old Queen of Hawaii

The conquest of the kingdom of Grenada by Christian forces reclaimed southern Spain from the Moors, and the forgotten monarchs of Hawaii. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 31, 2021

12 Days: Nero's succession and the fall of the Byzantine Empire

In a distinctly Roman start to 2022, Tom sets the scene for Rome's "Year of the four Emperors", while Dominic recounts a battle which was the beginning of the end for the Byzantine Empire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 30, 2021

12 Days: Jean-Bédel Bokassa and the memory of pandemics

It's New Year's Eve - switch off the Hootenanny and tune in to hear Dominic recount extraordinary tales of coups, cousins and the rise of an emperor in the Central African Republic. Later on in the podcast, Tom questions whether the current pandemic will have a more prominent role in the history boo...

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December 29, 2021

12 Days: The Battle of Wakefield and Emperor Karl I

Tom dissects the Battle of Wakefield and the subsequent fall of Richard, Duke of York, while Dominic talks us through the last ‘great’ Habsburg emperor, Karl I of Austria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 28, 2021

12 Days: The Murder of Thomas Becket and the Wounded Knee Massacre

Tom takes us through the murder of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, while Dominic looks at one of the United States' most tragic massacres: the 1890 Battle of Wounded Knee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 27, 2021

12 Days: Massacre of the Innocents and the Tay Bridge disaster

In a suitably festive edition, Tom recounts the biblical story of King Herod's massacre of babies in Jerusalem, and Dominic remembers a rail disaster from 1879 and the hilariously bad poetry it inspired. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 26, 2021

12 Days: Port wine and Darwin sets sail

How the English's fondness for Portuguese fortified wine began, and the unlikely story of the voyage which inspired Charles Darwin's natural philosophy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 25, 2021

12 Days: Good King Wenceslas and the first Gilbert & Sullivan

Was Wenceslas good? Was he a king? And Dominic remembers the popular Victorian light opera maestros first production "Thespis". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 24, 2021

12 Days: Coronation of Charlemagne and the collapse of the Soviet Union

To kick off our 12 Days of Christmas mini-series, Tom and Dominic remember the birth of the Holy Roman Empire and Mikhail Gorbachev's resignation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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December 23, 2021

133. Christmas churches

Fan favourite Rachel Morley from Friends of Friendless Churches is back to count down her top ten churches with a festive connection Go to restishistorypod.com to access bonus episodes, an exclusive Discord chat community, and to listen to the entire archive ad-free, Hosted on Aca...

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December 19, 2021

132. A Christmas Carol

Join Tom and Dominic in this festive special as they retrace the steps of Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim in an episode dedicated to Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. The boys traverse the City of London, visit Scrooge's old haunts and dissect the history and politics of one of the most adap...

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December 17, 2021

The 1960s (preview)

In Tom and Dominic's inaugural livestream for the Rest is History Club, we dive into one of the most seminal decades in modern history: the 1960s. Should the period be remembered as a byword for cultural revolution or as the birthplace of individualism? Where else could you find a jam-packed show t...

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December 15, 2021

131. Burgundy: Europe's forgotten superpower

Now mostly overlooked by history, Burgundy was a major political and cultural power in western Europe during the Middle Ages, rivalling France and England. How did the kingdom gain such prominence, and why did it disappear? Bart van Loo, author of "The Burgundians", joins Dominic and Tom to explain...

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December 12, 2021

130. Superheroes

From their origins in the 1930's running parallel to the rise of fascism in Europe, to the Adam West camp of the 1960's, to the gritty modern reboots - what has made Superheroes a cultural phenomenon, and what mirror does it hold up to society? To sign up to the brand new Rest Is History Club, g...

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December 8, 2021

How did a game played by peasants in the English countryside as early as the 17th century evolve into one of the most popular sports in the world? Jon Hotten, author of 'The Meaning of Cricket', joins Tom and Dominic to discuss the origins of the game, its Victorian transformation and the inextrica...

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December 6, 2021

History's greatest clubs (preview)

A chance to peek behind the curtain into the new weekly bonus episode for subscribers to the Rest Is History Club. As well as the extra episode, subscribers get a monthly live-streamed show (the first is on Wednesday 15th December, talking about the 1960's), access to an exclusive chatroom communit...

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December 5, 2021

The peasant who became one of the most influential figures in the final days of the Russian Empire is an unbelievable story. But how much of the gossip, rumour and scandal that surrounded Grigori Rasputin is true? Dominic and Tom discuss, and somehow manage not to get too sidetracked by Boney M. ...

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December 1, 2021

127. Neanderthals

Where did Neanderthals come from? How are they related to homo sapiens? And why are they no longer with us? Tom and Dominic are joined by Professor Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum. Produced by Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom ...

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November 28, 2021

126. Napoleon in Egypt

“God is too late, you have begun, now I will finish it.” Swash-buckling hero or sacrilegious tyrant? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt, his dream of becoming the next Alexander the Great, and the complicated history between France and Islam. Hosted on Acast. S...

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November 24, 2021

The USA's Central Intelligence Agency is a mysterious organisation which has used covert methods to assassinate enemies, influence governments and tip whole countries into revolution - or so countless films, TV series and books would have us believe. How much of it is true? Hugh Wilford, profes...

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November 22, 2021

124. World Cup of Kings and Queens part 2

Elizabeth II. Henry V. William the Conqueror. All pretenders, according to our twitter poll to find England’s greatest monarch, which has been running over the last week. Dominic and Tom discuss those who fell at the final hurdle, as well as finding room for a rather queasy anecdote about Henry VIII...

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November 21, 2021

123. World Cup of Kings and Queens part 1

Oliver Cromwell. Queen Victoria. George V. All contenders for the title of England's greatest monarch, a poll for which took place on a twitter over the last week. We know that Athelstan went on to win, but in this episode Tom and Dominic run through the sovereigns who fell at the first hurdle. H...

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November 19, 2021

122. Æthelstan: OFFICIALLY England's greatest monarch

After an intense tournament featuring sixteen of the finest Kings and Queens this island has to offer, the people have decided the greatest king of England also happens to be the first. The 10th century grandson of Alfred the Great united the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and saw off the Vikings, so Tom expl...

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November 17, 2021

121. Australia Before Cook

"Discovered this territory, 1770". So reads the inscription on a statue of Captain Cook in Hyde Park, Sydney. But did he really discover it? Tom and Dominic are joined by David Hunt to explore the long story of human settlement in Australia, and of the European explorers who reached it before Captai...

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November 14, 2021

120. The Oil Weapon

1973: Major oil-producing nations led by Saudi Arabia quadruple the price of oil overnight, sending the West (particularly the United Kingdom) into crisis. The face of 20th century geopolitics is permanently altered. Slade are Christmas number 1. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

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November 11, 2021

119. World Cup of Kings & Queens preview

Who's England's greatest monarch? Voting starts on Saturday 13th November, go to @TheRestHistory on Twitter to get involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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November 10, 2021

118. End of the First World War & Remembrance

On the anniversary of the day the guns fell silent on the Western Front, we look at the last moments of the First World War – and how we remember them. How did Remembrance Day start? What are the stories behind the Cenotaph and the Unknown Warrior? Why do we wear poppies? And will we always remember...

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November 8, 2021

117. Alexander the Great part 2

In the second part of our Alexander the Great special, we head to the limits of the known world, burning down palaces, storming mountain-top fortresses and battling elephants as we go. Might Alexander have kept his empire together had he lived? What killed him? Why is he in the Qur’an? Hosted on ...

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November 7, 2021

116. Alexander the Great part 1

Alexander the Great is the most charismatic conqueror in history. Tom and Dominic, in the first of a two part special, trace the course of his dazzling career from Macedonia to his mysterious journey to the oracle at Siwa. Man or god? Visionary or blood-stained tyrant? The debate rages on! Hosted...

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November 3, 2021

115. The Gunpowder Plot

‘Remember, remember / the Fifth of November / Gunpowder, treason & plot.” But what is it exactly we are remembering on Bonfire Night? Tom & Dominic explore what - if it had succeeded - would have been the most spectacular terrorist attack in British history: its background, its legacy, &...

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November 1, 2021

114. Stonehenge, ancient ritual and the origins of paganism

Like Merlin, who lived his life in reverse, we go backwards in time as we continue our two-part series on paganism. Renaissance philosophers; green men; a pagan city in the early caliphate; hooded gods on Hadrian’s Wall; Stonehenge; cannibals (or were they?) in Cheddar Gorge; and the oldest evidence...

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October 31, 2021

113. Hallowe'en and modern paganism

In the first of a two part Hallowe’en special, Tom and Dominic are joined by Professor Ronald Hutton to explore the history of modern paganism: from Wicca to Druids, and from Himmler to the Glastonbury Festival. Do its roots reach back to a genuine pre-Christian past? Hosted on Acast. See acast....

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October 27, 2021

112. Medieval Science

The word ‘medieval’ is often used to mean backward, benighted, unscientific. But is this fair? Historian of science Seb Falk joins Tom and Dominic to explore how the Middle Ages shaped and influenced the development of science. Produced by Left Peg Media and Goalhanger Films. Hosted on Acast....

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October 24, 2021

111. Golden Ages

Oh, to be Dutch in the seventeenth century. Or Roman in 150 AD. Or British in the 1990's. Tom and Dominic debate the merits of various "Golden Ages" in history, and ask whether we might have seen the last. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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October 20, 2021

110. History of India in 10 Buildings

Curator and art historian Aparna Andhare gives Tom and Dominic her selection of the ten buildings that best illustrate India’s past 4,500 years. Ranging from Mohenjo-daro to Narendra Modi, all the Subcontinent’s history is here. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by...

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October 17, 2021

How did the existence of dinosaurs come to be discovered, & what role have they played in the popular imagination over the past 200 years? And what can humanity learn from the extinction of dinosaurs - if indeed they ARE extinct? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the constantly evo...

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October 13, 2021

108. The Industrial Revolution

Did the industrial revolution really improve people’s lives? And why was Britain first to industrialise? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by Emma Griffin, professor of modern history and author of Liberty's Dawn: A People's History of the Industrial Revolution. Hosted on Acast. See a...

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October 11, 2021

107. Watergate: part 2

Despite his overwhelming lead in the polls, President Richard Nixon’s paranoia leads to the criminal actions of the Watergate scandal. In this second part of our mini-series, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore the unravelling of the conspiracy and its consequences for US politics. Tickets ...

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October 10, 2021

106. Watergate: part 1

What led Richard Nixon into the greatest political scandal in American history? Dominic Sandbrook, acclaimed historian of the period, leads Tom Holland on an extraordinary journey from Nixon’s humble beginnings through his political rise and to the precipice of his downfall. The first in a two part...

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October 6, 2021

The world’s most famous classicist, Professor Mary Beard, joins Tom and Dominic to discuss how the legacy of classical Greece and Rome has been interpreted and re-interpreted over the past millennium and a half. They range from Dante’s Satan snacking on Julius Caesar’s assassins in Hell to recent de...

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October 5, 2021

Bonus Episode: No Time to Die

WARNING: THIS PODCAST INCLUDES SPOILERS ABOUT THE NEW JAMES BOND MOVIE. DO NOT LISTEN UNTIL YOU’VE SEEN THE FILM. What does the new Bond movie tell us about modern masculinity? And where does the franchise go from here? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland share notes on No Time to Die. A Goalhange...

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October 3, 2021

Something wicked this way comes. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook take a deep dive into the real history of Scotland’s most notorious king. Was he really the murderous man of Shakespeare’s writing? Plus the boys examine the play for its insight into the politics of the time in which it was written...

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September 29, 2021

103. The Norse Sagas

In today’s episode, Tom and Dominic are joined by Dr Eleanor Barraclough as they sail across the Atlantic in a dragon-ship, bound for the epic world of the Norse sagas. What society did the Vikings set up in Iceland? How did they get to America? Why were they always so violent? Produced by Left P...

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September 27, 2021

102. Germany from Adenauer to Angela

As Angela Merkel bows out of German politics, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore the surprisingly colourful world of Germany’s Chancellors since the Second World War. It’s a story of rebels, exiles, Nazis, chain-smokers, the colossal bulk of Helmut Kohl and the East German youth of the future...

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September 26, 2021

101. James Bond

The fictional British agent James Bond returns to our cinema screens this week, but what do the history and evolution of Ian Fleming’s iconic character tell us about our changing society? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore 007 in both book and cinematic form.  A Goalhanger Films &...

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September 22, 2021

Decolonising Africa

Writer and critic Tomiwa Owolade joins Dominic and Tom to discuss the pan-African movement and the varying ways in which African states became independent from their European colonisers during the 20th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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September 20, 2021

99. Thermopylae & Salamis Episode 2

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian invasion of Greece. Today, they look at two battles which have echoed down the millennia: Thermopylae, the very archetype of a heroic defeat, and Salamis, the great naval clash which saved Greece f...

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September 19, 2021

98. Thermopylae & Salamis Episode 1

In 480 BC, 300 Spartans made a famous stand at Thermopylae, as hordes of Persian soldiers, led by Xerxes, seemed set to succeed in their aim of conquering Greece. However, although Leonidas and his men were defeated, only a short while later the Greek navy, against superior Persian forces, routed th...

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September 15, 2021

97. Top Ten Mistresses

Tom Holland is joined by Ali Ansari to discuss the most influential mistresses in history. The definition of success is to impact history, despite often humble beginnings. Recorded live at the London Podcast Festival. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Vasco Andrade ...

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September 12, 2021

96. The UK’s Best Churches

There are estimated to be around 16 thousand churches in England alone. But which are the finest in the UK? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by the director of Friends of Friendless Churches, Rachel Morley, to decide a top ten. They also discuss some of the listeners’ favo...

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September 8, 2021

On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, four commercial airliners were hijacked above the US by the militant Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda. What followed was the deadliest terrorist attack in history. Twenty years on, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland look back at the events an...

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September 6, 2021

94. Silicon Valley Part 2

The rise of social media is the central subject of our second instalment with tech pioneer Marc Andreessen. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook ask whether social media is the principal force behind an increase in populist politics. The ‘Americanisation’ of culture plus Marc’s theory o...

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September 5, 2021

93. Silicon Valley Part 1

Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland are joined by tech pioneer Marc Andreessen. Has the internet been the most important force in modern history? In part one of this two part series they look at how the internet developed out of military technology, whether early developers knew they were changing the...

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September 1, 2021

92. Nuclear Weapons

The year is 1983, and on November the 8th the world is the closest it’s ever been to nuclear destruction, yet nobody at the time realises. Dominic and Tom are joined by author and historian Taylor Downing to discuss how Armageddon was just avoided and why Tom, living near Salisbury, was in mor...

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August 29, 2021

91. The Beatles

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are live at the Chalke Valley History Festival to discuss the cultural impact of the Fab Four. What were the social conditions that led to their phenomenal success, and will their legacy endure in another hundred years? Plus, why Tom was turned away from ...

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August 25, 2021

90. The Western Front

The slaughter and bloodshed on the Western Front in World War One helped shape the narrative of the 20th century. But was it a case of lions led by donkeys? Gary Sheffield, historian and author of Forgotten Victory: The First World War - Myths and Realities, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook...

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August 22, 2021

89. Climate & Weather

From the Ice Age to the Winter of Discontent, climate and weather have hugely impacted historical events. Wars halted by freezing conditions, Prime Ministers thrown out of office by an electorate made angrier by the weather. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland review their top ten weather affected mo...

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August 18, 2021

88. The First Anglo-Afghan War

“A war begun for no wise purpose.” This description of the First Anglo-Afghan War, fought in the early-mid 19th Century, could stand as an epitaph for most conflicts in the region since. William Dalrymple has written extensively about the history of Afghanistan and he joins Dominic Sandbrook and To...

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August 17, 2021

87. Afghanistan - Part 1

In the first of a two-part series exploring the history of Afghanistan, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the nation’s complicated relationships with empires and discuss its role in the ‘Great Game’. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Prod...

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August 15, 2021

86. The Enlightenment

Once there was darkness and then there was light. What was the Enlightenment and why did it matter? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the Enlightenment and its path towards reason, science, revolution and the guillotine. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack...

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August 11, 2021

85. Sherlock Holmes

The games afoot! Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the world’s favourite consulting detective. Why has the popularity of Sherlock Holmes survived more than a century and what do the stories tell us about Victorian and Edwardian London? A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production P...

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August 8, 2021

Even the memory of them is enough to make most people shudder. As thousands of British students wait nervously for their A-level and GCSE results, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by educationalist Daisy Christodoulou to discuss the fascinating history of the examination. Your time start...

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August 4, 2021

83. The Berlin Wall

60 years ago this month, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) began building a barrier that divided the city of Berlin. It stood until 1989 and came to symbolise the front line of the Cold War. Iain MacGregor, author of "Checkpoint Charlie: The Cold War, the Berlin Wall and the Most Dang...

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August 1, 2021

What does it mean to be a Spartan? How much of this Spartan image is real and how much is based on projections and prejudices of others? Tom and Dominic delve into the Ancient Greek world and take us inside the minds and reality of this civilisation. They also analyse the film “300” and look at w...

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July 29, 2021

81. Modern Olympics - Part 2

Tom and Dominic continue their journey through the history of the Olympics, turning their attention from post-war to the present day.  They discuss Cold War rivalries, financial extravagance, the influence of TV and the darkest moments in Olympic history. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg ...

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July 28, 2021

80. Modern Olympics - Part 1

In 1896 the Olympic Games were reborn in Athens. Here we look at the forgotten tales and little known facts from the start of the modern Olympics through to the outbreak of the Second World War. Tom tells us about the greatest race of all time, whilst Dominic reveals he is somewhat of an Olympics...

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July 25, 2021

79. Ancient Olympics

With the Games underway in Tokyo, Tom and Dominic look back to the Ancient Olympics. They discuss the heroic but incredibly violent stories of the Greek superstars of 2500 years ago, and why the Games were bad news for women, animals and cheats. Plus, Tom reveals how his cricketing woes w...

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July 21, 2021

78. Statues: Parliament Square

Statues: Parliament Square In the final part of their epic trilogy, Tom and Dominic arrive at Parliament Square to explore the statues of world leaders including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.  A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Dave...

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July 19, 2021

77. Statues: Whitehall

Tom and Dominic continue their tour of London’s statues, arriving in Whitehall. War leaders, useless royals and courtesans all feature. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook ...

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July 18, 2021

76. Statues: Trafalgar Square

In the first of a three part series Tom and Dominic take a walking tour of central London to examine the statues of Trafalgar Square and explore the stories behind them.  A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @The...

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July 14, 2021

75. The East India Company

Tom and Dominic are joined by historian William Dalrymple to tell the fascinating and shocking story of the East India Company in the 18th century. How could a gang of “spectacularly corrupt” merchants conquer vast parts of Asia from a small office in London with just 35 employees? And ho...

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July 11, 2021

74. The Six Wives of Henry VIII

Henry VIII had the most notorious marital relations of any king in history. Tom and Dominic discuss the six women who became his queen. How did they influence the course of the Reformation? And which one would have done best on Love Island? A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Prod...

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July 9, 2021

72. England v Italy

No country has enjoyed a greater influence on the English than Italy. Ahead of the European Championship final, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore the history of Rome, Italy and England. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Past...

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July 7, 2021

72. The Vietnam War

No war has divided public opinion more than the conflict in Vietnam. Andrew Preston, Cambridge University Professor of American History, joins Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland to discuss the international politics surrounding the conflict. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Prod...

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July 5, 2021

71. England v Denmark

Ahead of the two countries’ encounter at Wembley, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss Anglo-Danish history through the ages. Vikings, the destruction of Copenhagen and royal dogs all feature prominently. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Pr...

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July 4, 2021

69. Children’s History

Tom and Dominic discuss how to write history books for kids. What topics are they interested in? What will they find boring? How much detail is acceptable when writing about mass killings and violence? And why it's best to get an 8 year old to do the proof reading A Goalhanger...

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July 1, 2021

69. England v Ukraine

On the eve of a huge sporting encounter in Rome between the English and Ukrainian football teams, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the history binding the two nations. Crimea, The Light Brigade and Florence Nightingale all make the starting line-up. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Medi...

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June 30, 2021

68. The British Empire

The British Empire: good, bad or neither? And how does its legacy shape us today? Journalist Sathnam Sanghera, author of “Empireland”, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to explore this timely, fascinating and hugely controversial subject. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production ...

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June 27, 2021

67. Anglo-German Relations

With England and Germany set to do sporting battle once again, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the historical events which have shaped the relationship between two or Europe’s super powers. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Ton...

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June 23, 2021

Settle down by the fire and prepare to be haunted. Roger Clarke, author of A Natural History of Ghosts, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to wonder whether ghost stories evolve to reflect the age in which the apparition appears. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced b...

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June 20, 2021

65. A Very British Scandal

Jeremy Thorpe was the most flamboyant politician of his day. Leader of the Liberal Party for nine years he was tried at the Old Bailey for conspiracy to murder his former lover Norman Scott. Although acquitted, the case destroyed Thorpe’s career. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss this extra...

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June 16, 2021

64. Hitler, with Ian Kershaw - part 2

In the second part of our examination of Adolf Hitler, Sir Ian Kershaw joins Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the Nazi leader’s years leading up to and during the Second World War. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @Th...

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June 13, 2021

63. Hitler, with Ian Kershaw - part 1

He was “the embodiment of modern political evil” according to historian Sir Ian Kershaw. In this first episode of a two-part investigation of the Nazi dictator, Sir Ian joins Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland to discuss Adolf Hitler. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by...

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June 9, 2021

62. Magna Carta

Does the Magna Carta enshrine the liberties of every free-born Englishman? Or is it now irrelevant? Ted Vallance, Professor of History at Roehampton University, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss King John and the bill of rights he was forced to sign. A Goalhanger Films & Left...

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June 6, 2021

No state in America captures the imagination quite like California. With its glitz and glamour and also its enormous economic disparities the state is a symbol of both the American dream and nightmare. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore California’s origins as well as its modern day politics...

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June 2, 2021

Who was Muhammad, where did he come from and what was the historical context for his life? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss one of the most influential religious, social, and political leaders in history. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exe...

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May 31, 2021

59. The World Cup of Gods - Part 2

Competition for top deity hots up as we look back on the knock out stages of the Rest is History World Cup of Gods. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the last eight contestants and analyse the final outcome. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport E...

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May 30, 2021

58. The World Cup of Gods - Part 1

In one of the most anticipated contests of the year, sixteen gods battled for the crown of ultimate deity. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook offer analysis and insight on the group stages of the competition. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Prod...

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May 26, 2021

It may just be the most popular city on earth. Throughout history Paris has maintained a grip on the public imagination, thanks to its culture, architecture and its people. French journalist and historian Agnès Poirier joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss La Ville Lumièr. A Goalhan...

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May 23, 2021

He remains one of the great characters in all history. But was he depraved, corrupt and evil? Or an artist much maligned by elitist historians? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss Nero. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor...

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May 21, 2021

55. The World Cup of Gods - Preview

It promises to be the biggest event of the summer - The Rest is History World Cup of Gods. Sixteen competitors, but there can be only one winner. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook preview all the runners and riders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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May 19, 2021

54. Cromwell and the Protectorate

Did Oliver Cromwell save Britain from tyranny or was he a killjoy and military dictator? Paul Lay, author of Providence Lost: the Rise and Fall of Cromwell's Protectorate joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the short-lived British Republic. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media p...

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May 16, 2021

53. Game of Thrones

What, if anything, can we learn about medieval history from Game of Thrones? Or is George R R Martin’s hugely popular series of books, and the blockbuster TV series based on them, in danger of supplanting true history in the popular imagination? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, both huge fans of ...

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May 12, 2021

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook talk to award-winning writer Camilla Townsend, author of the revelatory Fifth Sun. Professor Townsend used Nahuatl language sources to write an engaging history offering a new interpretation of events in Mexico centuries ago. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Me...

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May 9, 2021

“They’re wasting their money and having sex with each other.” Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore the modern phenomenon of the teenager. Why do teenagers scare older generations and will Tom cope with his daughter’s veganism? A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by J...

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May 5, 2021

49. Food Glorious Food

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook tuck into the history of British food with author Pen Vogler. They debate the origins of curry and debate our obsession with beef. Plus, they discuss a curious historical obsession with cooking pigs and chickens, stitched together. A Goalhanger Films & Left P...

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May 2, 2021

48. The French Revolution

With France facing economic struggles and rising unemployment revolution was in the air. But who was in charge of the uprising and what did it achieve? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland storm their own podcasting Bastille. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Daven...

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April 28, 2021

47. The Seven Years' War

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by historian and broadcaster Dan Snow to discuss the biggest event of the 18th century - The Seven Years' War. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @hollan...

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April 25, 2021

46. Culture Wars

The battle lines are drawn as Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook get involved in this most timely of subjects. They discuss the historical significance of culture wars from Ancient Rome to the US Civil Rights movement. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Harry Lineker ...

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April 21, 2021

45. Top Ten Eunuchs

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook cross their legs and rank the best Eunuchs in history. From religious fanatics to operatic singers, they discuss the grisly glory these young men ‘enjoyed’. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Joey McCarthy Exec Producer Tony Pastor ...

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April 18, 2021

It is perhaps the best known year in English history. But why has it endured in the national consciousness? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook talk the Battle of Hastings, the end of the Anglo-Saxons and wonder if King Harold really was killed by an arrow in the eye. A Goalhanger Films & Left ...

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April 14, 2021

It is arguably the most important year in modern history. With the British Expeditionary Force trapped at Dunkirk, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain replaced by the maverick Winston Churchill and France collapsing under the force of invasion, the world watched and waited to see which way the axis ...

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April 11, 2021

42. The Wild West

Podcasting’s answer to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - that’s Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook of course - explore the Wild West in both fact and fiction. Does the romantic representation in both fiction and film bear any resemblance to the historical truth? And why are we still so intrigued ...

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April 7, 2021

It is one of the truly great civilisations in world history and yet the story of Persia has faded from view in the west. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by Professor Ali Ansari to discuss Persia's extraordinary influence on the modern world. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media pr...

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April 5, 2021

40. History as Entertainment

From re-enactment to reinforcing capitalism through the board game Monopoly. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland examine the history of games and the portrayal of history in games. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @...

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March 31, 2021

39. Elizabeth I

She famously claimed to have the heart and stomach of a king and remains one of Britain’s most talked about monarchs, despite having reigned more than 400 years ago. Tracy Borman, author of the acclaimed Elizabeth’s Women, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss Elizabeth I. A Goalhang...

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March 28, 2021

It was one of the great political ideologies of the 20th century, vying with capitalism for supremacy. Now communism has retreated from the political mainstream having failed to create the utopia of a classless society. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the origins of communism as a theor...

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March 24, 2021

37. Spies, with Ben MacIntyre

History is littered with stories of espionage and its capacity to change the course of events. But does spying truly matter and has the human operative finally been replaced by the computer? Ben MacIntyre, author of books including Agent Zigzag and The Spy and the Traitor, joins Tom Holland and Do...

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March 22, 2021

36. Our Greatest Prime Minister

In our last episode we debated the merits of British Prime Ministers through the centuries. But who was voted the best of all by the public and why? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the men who made it through to the final stages of our Prime Ministers’ World Cup and analyse the public vot...

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March 21, 2021

35. The Prime Ministers’ World Cup

Who is the greatest British Prime Minister of them all? The bookmakers have Winston Churchill favourite to lift the crown, but William Gladstone and Maggie Thatcher won’t give up the fight without a struggle. And who’s this coming up quietly on the left-hand rail? Why, it’s Clement Attlee, who look...

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March 19, 2021

34. St Cuthbert’s Day

March 20th marks the annual Feast day of the Northumbrian Saint Cuthbert. But why should we care about this largely forgotten figure from the 7th century? Tom Holland persuades Dominic Sandbrook that the story of Cuthbert, whose body lay perfectly preserved long after his death, is well worth re-ex...

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March 17, 2021

33. The Beautiful Game

It has been described as the most universal cultural mode there has ever been, but is football a worthwhile object of study for historians? Sports journalist and author Jonathan Wilson joins Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland to look at the history of the game and how it became Britain’s most succe...

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March 14, 2021

Counterfactuals are the great what ifs of history. Imagine the Nazis winning World War 2, or the Roman Empire never falling. Is this a valid form of historical enquiry? Or is it simply game-playing? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss what might have been. A Goalhanger Films & Left P...

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March 10, 2021

31. The Second Reich

It emerged from the Prussian victory over France in 1870 and was destroyed by the First World War less than fifty years later. German historian Katja Hoyer joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the short but explosive life of the German Second Reich.   A Goalhanger Films & L...

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March 9, 2021

30. A Royal Row

With the British monarchy under intense scrutiny following an interview with Harry and Meghan conducted by Oprah Winfrey, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook use the lens of history to analyse the significance of this event. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Daven...

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March 7, 2021

29. Americanisation

Has America taken over the world? Did the dollar and Hollywood enable the US to replace the British empire as the dominant international influencer? And is that power now waning? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss Americanisation on the Rest is History.   A Goalhanger Films & Lef...

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March 3, 2021

28. The Kings of Comedy

Comedian Al Murray joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the history of comedy as well as the funny side of history. Has comedy changed through time? When and why are we not allowed to laugh at events? Al Murray has made a living out of making people laugh, while also frequently plac...

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February 28, 2021

27. Tutankhamun

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook ask why Tutankhamun remains the best known of the Egyptian pharaohs. They examine the discovery of the tomb by Howard Carter in 1922 and discuss Tutankhamun’s relatives, in particular his father Akhenaten. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produ...

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February 24, 2021

Suzannah Lipscomb joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the history of witches and witchcraft. Why did society see witches as a threat and what is the modern equivalent of a witch hunt? A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Producer Tony...

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February 21, 2021

Is the age of empires over? And are they always a bad thing? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore empires through history, examining the modern assumption that nation statehood is always the better way. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Harry Lineker Exec Prod...

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February 17, 2021

24. Sex in the City

Everything you wanted to know about sex in the 18th and 19th Century but were afraid to ask. Hallie Rubenhold, author of The Covent Garden Ladies and the multi-award winning The Five joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss this fascinating subject. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Med...

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February 14, 2021

Ecstasy, emails and economic stability. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the 1990s, a decade which brought us Oasis, Tony Blair, Monica Lewinsky and Mr Blobby. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHis...

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February 10, 2021

The Rest is History brings you the top ten strangest conflicts of all time. Obscure, little-known, downright strange. Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland choose five each.  A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @The...

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February 7, 2021

21. The History of the Future

What is history’s take on the future? Oracles, prophecies, apocalypse, scientific projection. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss them all. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dc...

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February 3, 2021

Broadcaster and historian Michael Wood joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss the world’s oldest civilisation. What were the great moments in Chinese history and why do the Opium Wars still feature so prominently in the modern Chinese school syllabus? The birth of the Chinese Communist ...

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January 31, 2021

19. King Arthur

It remains the most romantic historical story of all time, but is the legend of King Arthur a myth? Was he even English? And will he rise again when the country needs him most? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook take their places at the round table. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media product...

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January 27, 2021

18. The North South Divide

England has long been divided by an invisible line somewhere north of Watford and south of the Mersey. But do northerners really have more in common with Scots and Welsh people than their fellow Englishmen in London? Dan Jackson, author of The Northumbrians and a former advisor to Cheryl Cole, ...

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January 24, 2021

What is fascism and where did it come from? No one admits to being a fascist yet it continues to be a term of abuse hurled on a regular basis. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the history of this most unacceptable of political models. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media producti...

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January 20, 2021

Pompeii Why does Pompeii continue to hold such a fascination for so many people? And which secrets are still to be uncovered from beneath the ashes? Dr Sophie Hay, a leading expert on the ruined Italian city, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to answer lots of listener questions. A Goa...

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January 17, 2021

15. Walls and Borders

From the Great Wall of China to the Berlin Wall, history is littered with the building of barriers aimed at keeping people out, and sometimes in. Do they work? Are they ever a good thing? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook climb walls and explore borders as they investigate the history of separation...

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January 10, 2021

14. Historical Fiction

Is the author’s responsibility to the quality of the novel or the truth of history? What makes a great historical novel and which authors have contributed to our understanding of history. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook range across literature in search of the best of historical fiction. A Goal...

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January 6, 2021

13. Stephen Fry and Troy

Stephen Fry is our guest on The Rest is History as he tells Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook about his enduring fascination with the Greek myths. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @d...

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January 3, 2021

12. Conspiracy Theories

History is littered with conspiracy theories, from Popish plots to JFK’s assassination. But what makes people believe in them and how do they gain currency? As strange stories continue to swirl around the coronavirus vaccine, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine conspiracy theories through the...

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December 27, 2020

As Britain leaves the EU, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook look at the best & worst comparisons from history that have been made to Brexit.  A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom...

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December 20, 2020

Is Christmas an ancient ritual or was it invented by Dickens? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland discuss the transformation of Christmas from public to private event and decide when it became a commercial rather than spiritual celebration. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produc...

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December 13, 2020

9. Causes of the First World War

Whose fault was it? Does the question even make sense? Are wars always somebody's "fault"? Was it really the first global war? And should Britain have fought, or stayed out? A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media production Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor Twitter: @TheRe...

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December 6, 2020

8. The Echo of a Coffee House

Social media has colonised the world but is it really a new phenomenon? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook debate the effects of technical innovations from the printing press to Twitter. Do they really make a difference? Or was Swift right when he said: “It is the folly of too many, to mistake the ...

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November 29, 2020

7. The Lessons of History

Can we truly learn from history? And if we can - do we? It’s one of the big questions this week as Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook roam through the centuries in search of certainty. Never get involved in a land war in Asia. That’s our starter for ten. A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media p...

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November 22, 2020

It’s been described as the most legendary story ever told. But did the Trojan War actually happen? And was it really fought over a beautiful woman? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss an enduring tale that still resonates to this day.   A Goalhanger Films & Left Peg Media productio...

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November 15, 2020

As a new series of The Crown arrives on Netflix, returning viewers to the 1980s, we look back at the year many Britons consider the worst in living memory. Rocketing unemployment, riots in major cities and a country governed by the most divisive prime minister in post-war British history made 1981...

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November 8, 2020

4. We’re all so 17th Century

Plague, pestilence and statue smashing are back in business. Has 2020 turned out to be the 17th Century in disguise? And if so, has Boris Johnson become the new Oliver Cromwell, determined to crack down on the excesses of Christmas? Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland suggest things now are not as ba...

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November 8, 2020

3. Is Trump Caesar or Nixon?

Recorded hours after Joe Biden was named President of the United States, we ask if Donald Trump is a modern day Caesar, willing to do anything to stay in power? Or is Trump the natural successor to the disgraced Richard Nixon? Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook draw parallels between the modern Whit...

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November 1, 2020

What are the conditions needed for a civil war to start? Could we see a modern industrial nation turn upon itself again? Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore examples from ancient history though to Spain in the 1930s and Yugoslavia in the 1990s to work out what it takes for neighbou...

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November 1, 2020

How did certain people come to be called ‘the Great’? Is the notion of great men and women outmoded? Can anyone today be reckoned ‘great’? Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook take a wide ranging stroll through the annals of time, from Nero to Nixon, with a bit of Trump thrown in for good m...

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October 28, 2020

Historians  Tom Holland  and  Dominic Sandbrook  are interrogating the past, attempting to de-tangle the present for their new podcast  "The Rest Is History" They question the nature of Greatness, why the West no longer has civil wars and whether Richard Nixon was more l...

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