Podcast cover
Goalhanger · History

The Rest Is History

Take a deep dive into History’s biggest moments with Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook. Explore the stories of History’s most brutal rulers, deadly battles, and world-changing events. From the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Nazi conquest of Europe, and Hitler’s evil master plan for world domination, to the French Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic, or the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Tom and Dominic bring the past to life with gripping storytelling and expert analysis, as they unpack the high-drama moments that shaped our world. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com.

Episodes

Episode cover

332: King Solomon's Mines

15 May 2023
58m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into Henry Rider Haggard's "King Solomon's Mines," exploring its historical context, influence on popular culture, and underlying themes. They discuss Haggard's background as a child of the British Empire, the novel's adventure quest plot set in Africa, an...

Episode cover

331: American Witches

11 May 2023
55m
AI processed

In this episode of The Rest Is History, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom are joined by Professor Malcolm Gaskill to discuss witch hunting and witch crazes in 17th-century New England. The discussion begins with an anecdote about a colonist's terrifying experience with a talking snake, setting the stage for an exploration into...

Episode cover

330: Herodotus: The Birth of History

08 May 2023
53m
AI processed

In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the life and work of Herodotus, often called the "father of history." They discuss his unique viewpoint as a Greek from Halicarnassus, now in modern Turkey, and his groundbreaking approach to documenting history. Herodotus traveled extensively, interviewed eyewitnesses, and wo...

Episode cover

329: Coronations: Chaos, Ceremony and Empire (Part 3)

06 May 2023
53m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland delve into the history of British coronations, particularly focusing on the Hanoverian period and beyond. They discuss the chaotic and often ludicrous coronations of George I, George III, and George IV, filled with riots, forgotten thrones, and...

Episode cover

328: Coronations: Sex, Holy Oil and Civil War (Part 2)

05 May 2023
53m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom explore the history of coronations in England, starting with a broadside ballad from 1689 celebrating William III and Mary II. They discuss how coronations reflect political and religious changes, highlighting the coronation of Edwy and Dunstan's biased accounts...

Episode cover

327: Coronations: The Deep History (Part 1)

04 May 2023
49m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom delve into the deep historical roots of coronations, setting the stage for a trilogy of episodes. They discuss how coronation rituals, particularly in Britain, are not merely Victorian inventions but have evolved from traditions dating back to the Anglo-Saxons, ...

Episode cover

326: The Year of Revolutions: 1848

01 May 2023
59m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland are joined by Sir Christopher Clark to discuss the European revolutions of 1848. The discussion begins with an analysis of Alexis de Tocqueville's prophetic warnings about the impending upheaval in Europe. Clark argues against the notion of the...

Episode cover

325: Fall of Saigon: Apocalypse Now (Part 2)

27 Apr 2023
52m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom discuss the fall of Saigon in April 1975, focusing on the chaotic evacuation of Americans and Vietnamese from the U.S. Embassy, signaled by the playing of "White Christmas" on Armed Forces Radio. They explore the disjuncture between the White House's desire for ...

Episode cover

324: Fall of Saigon: The Nightmare Begins (Part 1)

24 Apr 2023
49m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom discuss the events leading up to the fall of Saigon in 1975, focusing on the political and military context of the Vietnam War. They analyze the roles of key figures like Nixon, Kissinger, and President Thieu, and the impact of events such as the Watergate scand...

Episode cover

323: History's Greatest Dogs

20 Apr 2023
56m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the seven greatest dogs in history, starting with Bosun, Lord Byron's dog, and then moving on to Checkers, Richard Nixon's dog, whose fame was cemented by the "Checkers speech." They then discuss Greyfriars Bobby, a famous Scottish dog ...

Episode cover

322: East Germany: Life Behind the Iron Curtain

17 Apr 2023
1h 6m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook interview Katja Hoyer, author of "Beyond the Wall," about the history of East Germany (GDR). They discuss the unique and debated origins of the GDR, Stalin's reluctance towards its creation, and the influence of German communists. The conversat...

Episode cover

321: Hundred Years' War: A Storm of Swords (Part 4)

13 Apr 2023
49m
AI processed

In this podcast episode, we explore the later stages of the Hundred Years' War, particularly the aftermath of the Battle of Poitiers. Although the English initially celebrated victories and secured a favorable treaty, this fragile peace quickly fell apart due to internal strife in France, peasant revolts, and the influ...

Episode cover

320: Hundred Years' War: The Black Prince (Part 3)

10 Apr 2023
53m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," the hosts delve into the Hundred Years' War, particularly the aftermath of the Battle of Crécy. Despite the ravaging effects of the Black Death, the conflict persisted, with England, led by Edward III, gaining notable military and prestige advantages. The discussion highlights ...

Episode cover

319: Hundred Years' War: Triumph of the Longbow (Part 2)

06 Apr 2023
54m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," the hosts explore the early days of the Hundred Years' War, highlighting Edward III's strategic genius and military innovations. Despite England's limited resources, Edward crafted a clever strategy that included economic blockades, advanced longbow technology, and key naval vi...

Episode cover

318: Hundred Years' War: A Game of Thrones (Part 1)

03 Apr 2023
51m
AI processed

In this podcast episode, we explore the events leading up to the Hundred Years' War, highlighting the contrasting strengths and weaknesses of 14th-century England and France. While France boasted greater wealth, a larger population, and rich cultural prestige, England was forging a stronger national identity under its ...

Episode cover

317: African Amazons

30 Mar 2023
53m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by Luke Pepera to discuss the theme of African Amazons, focusing on female warriors and rulers in African history. The conversation begins with the historical accuracy of the movie "The Woman King" and then explores examples such as ...

Episode cover

316: The First Abolitionist

27 Mar 2023
50m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss Benjamin Lay, an 18th-century abolitionist. The episode begins with a reading from Lay's work, setting the stage for a discussion about his life, activism, and radical views on slavery. They explore Lay's background as a Quaker, his exp...

Episode cover

315: Atlantis: Legacy of the Lost Empire (Part 2)

23 Mar 2023
53m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook delve into the historical interpretations and evolving myths surrounding Atlantis, sparked by Plato's initial account. They trace Atlantis's resurgence during the Renaissance and its connection to European obsessions, the discovery of America, ...

Episode cover

314: Atlantis: The Legend (Part 1)

20 Mar 2023
55m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic explore the origins of the Atlantis myth, dissecting Graham Hancock's theories and Netflix series "Ancient Apocalypse." Dominic summarizes Hancock's premise of a cataclysmic event destroying an advanced Ice Age civilization, while Tom expresses skepticis...

Episode cover

313: Climate Apocalypse

16 Mar 2023
53m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook interview Peter Frankopan, a Professor of Global History at Oxford University, about his new book, "The Earth Transformed," which explores how climate has influenced human history. The discussion begins with the "Curse of Akkad" as an early exa...

Page 25

Follow this podcast in Podwise

Sign in to get AI summaries, transcripts and mind maps for any episode, including new ones.

Open in Podwise