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.
Jean-François Millet’s 1859 painting, The Angelus, serves as a profound cultural touchstone that captures the tension between French Catholicism and post-Revolutionary secularism. Art critic Laura Cumming and historian Tom Holland examine how this small-scale masterpiece, depicting two peasants pausing their potato har...
The podcast explores the capture and eventual execution of Atahualpa by Francisco Pizarro and his conquistadors in 1533. It details Atahualpa's offer to fill a room with gold and silver in exchange for his freedom, the Spanish perspective on this ransom, and Atahualpa's strategic motivations during his captivity, inclu...
The podcast introduces "The Book Club," a new show hosted by Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett, spun off from their work on "The Rest Is History." The show delves into classic and contemporary books, exploring the stories behind the stories, author backgrounds, and historical context. Episodes alternate between olde...
The podcast delves into the dramatic confrontation between Francisco Pizarro and the Inca Emperor Atahualpa in 1532. Pizarro, with a mere 168 men, sought to exploit the Inca Empire's internal strife, exacerbated by smallpox and a civil war between Huascar and Atahualpa. The Spanish, driven by opportunistic militarism, ...
The 1795 painting The Skating Minister by Henry Raeburn serves as a definitive emblem of Scottish identity, juxtaposing the rigid intellectualism of the Scottish Enlightenment with the atmospheric wildness of early Romanticism. The portrait depicts Reverend Robert Walker gliding across a frozen Duddingston Loch in a "t...
The podcast explores the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, framing it as a sequel to the conquest of Mexico. It introduces Francisco Pizarro, an illiterate conquistador from Extremadura, and contrasts him with Hernán Cortés. Pizarro's early life, his ventures in the Caribbean, and his partnership with Diego de Almag...
The podcast explores the Roman perspective on Carthage following Hannibal's defeat, revealing a lingering fear and perception of the Carthaginians as embodiments of cruelty and deceit. Despite Carthage being crippled by a punitive peace deal, the Romans harbor an irrational fear of its resurgence, fueled by the trauma ...
Diego Velázquez’s 1656 masterpiece Las Meninas serves as a profound meditation on the blurred boundaries between artistic illusion and reality during the fading Spanish Golden Age. Art critic Laura Cumming, author of The Vanishing Man, joins Tom Holland to examine how the painting’s life-sized scale and sophisticated u...
The podcast examines the Second Punic War, focusing on the pivotal Battle of Zama between Hannibal and Scipio Africanus. It explores Scipio's strategy of invading North Africa to draw Hannibal out of Italy, highlighting the political tensions in Rome surrounding Scipio's ambition and unconventional approach. The roles ...
The podcast explores the Second Punic War, focusing on the rise of Scipio and the strategic importance of Spain. It details Scipio's unconventional methods, such as leveraging popular support and religious claims, to gain command and revitalize Roman forces. The discussion covers key battles, including Scipio's capture...
The podcast delves into Jan Van Eyck's "Arnolfini Portrait," exploring its historical context, artistic techniques, and enduring mysteries. Art critic Laura Cumming joins host Tom Holland to dissect the painting's hyperrealism and puzzling elements, such as the subjects' identities and gestures. Cumming describes the p...
The podcast explores the Second Punic War, particularly focusing on Hannibal's strategies and the Roman response after the devastating defeat at Cannae. It examines why Hannibal didn't immediately march on Rome after Cannae, considering factors like troop exhaustion, lack of siege equipment, and the expectation of Roma...
The episode analyzes the 1980 attempt by Delta Force to rescue American hostages in Tehran and its impact on Jimmy Carter's presidency. It highlights Carter's decision to allow the Shah into the US for cancer treatment as a catalyst for the hostage crisis, and his subsequent struggle to negotiate the hostages' release ...
The podcast explores the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, detailing the events leading up to the U.S. Embassy seizure in Tehran and its immediate aftermath. It examines the motivations of the Iranian students and Ayatollah Khomeini, highlighting how the crisis became a symbol of the revolution and a tool to consolidate power....
The podcast explores the events surrounding the Iranian Revolution, focusing on the key figures of the Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini, and US President Jimmy Carter. It examines the internal factors contributing to the revolution, such as the economic grievances of the Bazaaris and the theological opposition from Shiite cler...
The podcast explores the events leading up to the Iranian Revolution, beginning with President Jimmy Carter's toast to the Shah of Iran in 1977. It details the Shah's rise to power, his modernization efforts, and his increasing reliance on the United States, as well as the growing corruption and inequality within Iran ...
The podcast examines the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, highlighting the political motivations and religious beliefs influencing the English prosecution. It details Henry VI's coronation attempt in France to undermine Charles VII's legitimacy, further emphasizing the need to discredit Joan, a key figure behind Cha...
The podcast explores Joan of Arc's rise and the shifting dynamics of the Hundred Years' War, focusing on her impact after the liberation of Orléans. It examines how Joan's image, blending chivalric ideals with her identity as "the maid," galvanized French forces and led to Charles VII's coronation at Reims. The hosts d...
The podcast explores Joan of Arc's journey to convince the Dauphin of France, Charles of Valois, that she was sent by God to lead the French army and lift the siege of Orléans. Joan's background, including her visions and prophecies foretelling a virgin who would save France, is examined, alongside her efforts to meet ...
The podcast explores the historical figure of Joan of Arc, framing her story within the context of the Hundred Years' War and the complex political landscape of 15th-century France. It highlights Joan's unlikely rise as a young peasant girl who claimed divine guidance to lead the French army. The discussion also covers...
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