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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

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292: The Shadow of the Holocaust

05 Jan 2023
44m
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In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by Jonathan Freedland, author of "The Escape Artist," to discuss the Vrba-Wetzler Report, which detailed the horrors of Auschwitz. The conversation explores the reactions of world leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt to the report, t...

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291: The Man Who Escaped Auschwitz

02 Jan 2023
53m
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In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook interview Jonathan Freedland, a Guardian columnist and author, about his book "The Escape Artist," which tells the story of Rudolf Vrba, a young Jewish man who escaped from Auschwitz. The discussion begins with an overview of the book and Vrba's ...

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290: 2022: A History

29 Dec 2022
51m
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The podcast reflects on the key historical events and cultural shifts of 2022, drawing parallels with the year 1922. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is highlighted as a pivotal moment, potentially marking the end of the post-Cold War era and reshaping geopolitical assumptions. The conversation touches on the West's respon...

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289: Drink

26 Dec 2022
55m
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The podcast explores the historical influence of Britain on shaping popular alcoholic beverages, particularly during the festive season. It traces Britain's role in the development and global spread of drinks like champagne, claret, port, and sherry. With guest Henry Jeffreys, author of "Empire of Booze," the discussio...

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288: Jesus Christ: The History (Part 2)

22 Dec 2022
1h 2m
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In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the historical existence of Jesus, dissecting the Nativity story and questioning its accuracy, with Tom expressing skepticism about the Christmas narrative while Dominic offers counterpoints. They explore Jesus's early life, his relationship with John...

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287: Jesus Christ: The Mystery (Part 1)

19 Dec 2022
54m
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In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the complex historical and theological aspects surrounding the life of Jesus Christ, a topic chosen by their listeners. They discuss the challenges of analyzing Jesus as a historical figure due to the intertwining of faith and historical evidence, and...

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286: England: Beef and Liberty

18 Dec 2022
51m
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The podcast explores the historical significance of roast beef in shaping English identity and notions of liberty, contrasting it with French culinary traditions. It highlights how, from the Tudor era onwards, beef consumption became associated with English strength, universality, and even violence, as noted by foreign...

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285: Canada: Beaver Wars

17 Dec 2022
46m
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The podcast explores the historical significance of beavers in Canada, linking the animal to the country's identity and economic history. It traces the beaver's presence from the giant Castoroides to its role in shaping the landscape and its importance to indigenous peoples, who utilized it for fur, meat, and tools. Th...

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284: Denmark: The Great Escape

16 Dec 2022
41m
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The podcast examines Denmark's response to the Nazi occupation during World War II, focusing on the rescue of Danish Jews. It highlights the unique civic culture in Denmark, where Jewish citizens were viewed as equal Danes, contributing to widespread solidarity against the Nazi regime. The discussion also covers the ro...

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283: Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos

15 Dec 2022
35m
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The podcast explores Charles Darwin's experiences in the Galapagos Islands and their impact on his developing theories. It highlights Darwin's initial geological interests and observations of the unique wildlife, including iguanas, tortoises, and finches. The discussion emphasizes how the distinct variations in species...

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282: Morocco: The Rif War

14 Dec 2022
56m
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The podcast examines the Rif War in Morocco during the early 20th century, highlighting its significance as a precursor to later conflicts. It explores Spain's colonial ambitions in the Rif Mountains, driven by economic interests in iron mining and a desire to restore national pride after losing its empire. The discuss...

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281: Spain: The Caliphate of Córdoba

13 Dec 2022
52m
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The podcast explores the history of the Caliphate of Cordoba, focusing on its rise, golden age, and eventual decline. It begins with the Umayyad conquest of Spain in 711 and the establishment of Cordoba as the capital of Al-Andalus. The discussion highlights Abd al-Rahman III's role in consolidating power and establish...

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280: Serbia: The Birthplace of Civilisation

12 Dec 2022
39m
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The podcast explores the Vinča culture of Serbia, an ancient civilization that flourished from 5700 to 4200 BC. It examines the archaeological discoveries made by Miloje Vasic, including ceramics, figurines, and evidence of copper smelting, positioning the Vinča culture as potentially the first in the world to enter th...

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279: Cameroon: The Slave General of Peter the Great

11 Dec 2022
35m
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The podcast explores the life of Abram Petrovich Gannibal, a Cameroonian who rose to become a general and nobleman in the Russian Empire. It traces Gannibal's journey from his likely birth south of Lake Chad to his enslavement and eventual arrival in the court of Peter the Great, who became his benefactor. Gannibal's s...

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278: France: The Mystery of Le Prince

10 Dec 2022
27m
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The podcast explores the story of Louis Le Prince, who is argued to be the forgotten father of moving pictures. Born in 1841, Le Prince's early exposure to photography through his father's friendship with Louis Daguerre ignited his passion for both art and science. This led him to invent a camera capable of shooting mo...

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277: Japan: Samurai and Shoguns

09 Dec 2022
1h 2m
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The podcast explores Japanese history through the lens of six significant figures, starting with Murasaki Shikibu, the aristocratic diarist, whose work reflects Japan's cultural refinement in the 10th and 11th centuries. The discussion moves to Oda Nobunaga, a bloodthirsty samurai, and then to Ihara Saikaku, a writer w...

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276: Netherlands: The Maid of Holland

08 Dec 2022
28m
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The podcast explores the historical significance of the "Maid of Holland" as a symbol of the Dutch Republic, emerging in the late 16th century during the Dutch revolt against the Spanish. It examines the Maid's symbolic resonances, drawing from Christian and classical traditions, including the Virgin Mary and Minerva. ...

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275: Argentina: The Welsh Colony

07 Dec 2022
40m
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The podcast explores the history of a Welsh colony in Patagonia, Argentina, initiated in the 19th century by Michael Jones, who sought to preserve Welsh culture. Lured by the Argentine government's offer of land, Welsh settlers, including miners and cobblers, arrived in 1865, facing initial hardships like unsuitable fa...

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274: Switzerland: Calvin's Cancel Culture

06 Dec 2022
38m
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This co-hosted history podcast delves into the life and execution of Michael Servetus, a 16th-century polymath and theologian whose radical Protestant views led to his burning at the stake in Geneva. The hosts discuss Servetus's contributions to science (e.g., describing blood circulation before Harvey) and his theolo...

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273: Portugal: The Carnation Revolution

05 Dec 2022
49m
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The podcast explores the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, detailing the events leading to the overthrow of António Salazar's regime and the subsequent political turmoil. It highlights Marcelo Caetano's rise to power, the economic pressures of colonial wars in Africa, and the discontent within the military ranks due to...

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