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

631. Wagner: LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall

01 Jan 2026
1h 13m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook broadcast the second half of their live show from the Royal Albert Hall, focusing on the controversial composer Richard Wagner. They discuss Wagner's immense influence on the 19th century, his colossal egotism, and his late development as a com...

Episode cover

630. Tchaikovsky: LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall

29 Dec 2025
1h 19m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland delve into the life of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, exploring his upbringing in 19th-century Russia, his complex love life, and his rise to fame as a composer. They discuss Tchaikovsky's early influences, his struggles with his sexuality in a cons...

Episode cover

629. WWI: The Christmas Truce

25 Dec 2025
58m
AI processed

Tom and Dominic discuss the Christmas Truce of 1914, a series of informal ceasefires that occurred along the Western Front during World War I. They explore the origins of the truce, the fraternization between British and German soldiers, and the varying perspectives on the event, including the debate over whether footb...

Episode cover

628. Jack The Ripper: The Killer Unmasked (Part 5)

22 Dec 2025
1h 35m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the infamous case of Jack the Ripper, meticulously examining a range of suspects from the wildly improbable, such as Joseph Merrick (The Elephant Man) and Prince Albert Victor, to more plausible candidates like George Chapman and Aaron Kosminski. They...

Episode cover

627. Jack The Ripper: From Hell (Part 4)

18 Dec 2025
1h 10m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the gruesome details surrounding the murder of Mary-Jane Kelly, the final canonical victim of Jack the Ripper, describing the crime scene, and the stark contrast between her life and the gruesome end she met. They explore the social and cultural conte...

Episode cover

626. Jack The Ripper: The Killer Strikes Again (Part 3)

15 Dec 2025
59m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the chilling details of the Jack the Ripper murders in London's East End during the autumn of 1888, specifically focusing on the "double event" of September 30th, where Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes were murdered. They dissect witness account...

Episode cover

625. Jack The Ripper: Horror in Whitechapel (Part 2)

11 Dec 2025
1h 6m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the chilling details of the Jack the Ripper murders in London's East End during the late summer of 1888, focusing on the societal impact and media frenzy surrounding the gruesome crimes. They discuss the murders of Martha Tabram, Polly Nichols, and An...

Episode cover

The Beatles: The British Invasion, with Conan O’Brien (Part 2)

10 Dec 2025
55m
AI processed

In the second part of their Beatles-themed special, Tom Holland and Conan O'Brien delve into the band's discography, focusing on the "Revolver" album and its impact on their live performances. They discuss the escalating outrage over John Lennon's comments on Christianity and the subsequent US tour, as well as the cult...

Episode cover

624. Jack The Ripper: History’s Darkest Mystery (Part 1)

08 Dec 2025
1h 4m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook delve into the infamous case of Jack the Ripper, exploring the social and historical context of 1880s London. They discuss the chilling details of the "Dear Boss" letter, the murders in Whitechapel, and the enduring mystery surrounding the kill...

Episode cover

623. The Nazis at War: Churchill’s Finest Hour (Part 4)

04 Dec 2025
1h 11m
AI processed

In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom and Dominic analyze Hitler's strategic dilemmas in the summer of 1940, particularly his obsession with Britain and the pivotal Battle of Britain. They explore Hitler's complex view of the British, his failed attempts to negotiate peace or find a puppet leader, and the interna...

Episode cover

The Beatles: The Band that Changed the World, with Conan O’Brien (Part 1)

03 Dec 2025
51m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland is joined by Conan O'Brien at Abbey Road Studios for a Beatles special, discussing the band's historical significance and cultural impact. They explore The Beatles' roots in post-war England, their influences from American music, and their transformation in Hamburg....

Episode cover

622. The Nazis at War: The Fall of France (Part 3)

01 Dec 2025
1h 7m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic delve into the events surrounding the Fall of France in June 1940. They discuss Hitler's visit to Paris, the reasons behind the halt order that allowed the British to evacuate from Dunkirk, and the internal divisions within the French government that led...

Episode cover

621. The Nazis at War: Blitzkrieg (Part 2)

27 Nov 2025
1h 6m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the events of 1940, focusing on the Nazi's invasion of Scandinavia and the lead-up to the invasion of France. They detail the importance of Swedish iron ore to the Nazi war effort, the Allied plans to intervene in Norway, and the eventu...

Episode cover

620. The Nazis at War: Hitler Strikes West (Part 1)

24 Nov 2025
1h 12m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the critical period of 1939 and 1940, focusing on the Nazis' actions and strategies following the invasion of Poland. They discuss Hitler's surprising peace offering to Britain and France, his motivations for a rapid war in the West, and the internal ...

Episode cover

619. Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen (Part 4)

20 Nov 2025
1h 9m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the early reign of Queen Elizabeth I, exploring the immense challenges she faced upon ascending the throne, including religious divisions, threats from continental superpowers, and questions over her legitimacy. They discuss Elizabeth's strategic bril...

Episode cover

618. Elizabeth I: The Shadow of the Tower (Part 3)

17 Nov 2025
1h 12m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom delve into the complex relationship between Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) and her half-sister Elizabeth, exploring their similarities and differences, particularly regarding religion and foreign policy. They discuss Mary's rise to power, her marriage to Phi...

Episode cover

617. Elizabeth I: Anne Boleyn's Bastard (Part 2)

13 Nov 2025
1h 1m
AI processed

In this episode of The Rest Is History, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland delve into the early life of Elizabeth I, focusing on the challenges she faced after her mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed. They discuss Elizabeth's reduced status, her relationships with her father, Henry VIII, and her stepmothers, Jane Seymour ...

Episode cover

616. Elizabeth I: The Fall of the Axe (Part 1)

10 Nov 2025
1h 7m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom delve into the life and legacy of Elizabeth I, exploring her rise to power and the complex political landscape of Tudor England. They begin by examining the Elizabethan era's propaganda and the queen's image as "Gloriana," comparing her to national heroes like N...

Episode cover

RIHC: Disney's Legacy, with Bob Iger

07 Nov 2025
33m
AI processed

In this special bonus episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland interview Bob Iger, the head of Disney, about Walt Disney's legacy and the future of the company. Iger reflects on his role as custodian of Disney, his desire to maintain its beloved status, and his emphasis on great storytelling,...

Episode cover

615. Disneyland: The Modern American Utopia

06 Nov 2025
1h 23m
AI processed

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom explore the history of theme parks, focusing on Disneyland. They trace the origins of amusement parks from Tsarist Russia's ice slides to European pleasure gardens like Vauxhall and Tivoli. The discussion covers Walt Disney's inspirations, the design and cultura...

Page 8

Follow this podcast in Podwise

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

Open in Podwise