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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.
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680. The Netherlands: The Revolt that Made The Modern World (Part 4)
The Fascist World Cup: Mussolini's Football Dictatorship
679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the complex history of Germany's national anthem, tracing its evolution from Austrian imperial hymn to modern democratic symbol. They examine how 'Das Lied de…
Tom Holland Meets Paul McCartney
Tom Holland interviews Paul McCartney about his new album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, which explores McCartney's childhood and teenage years in Liverpool. The conversation examines how Liverpool's uniqu…
Greece vs. Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2)
Tom Holland joins the podcast to discuss the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, drawing from his book Persian Fire which provides the dramatic opening narration of the Athenian charge. The episode examines…
Greece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the events leading to the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, focusing on the Persian King Darius I and his response to Greek interference in the Ionian Revolt. Dra…
The Mystery of the Mona Lisa
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the extraordinary history of the world's most famous painting, the Mona Lisa, tracing its journey from a Florentine merchant's commission to global cultural i…
Wine and the Birth of Civilisation
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore 8,000 years of wine history, tracing its evolution from ancient Georgian vineyards to modern global industry worth $500 billion. The conversation draws extens…
Britain in the 70s: The Bailout from Hell (Part 4)
This episode examines the intersection of two defining moments in 1970s Britain: the humiliating IMF bailout crisis and the explosive emergence of punk rock, both reaching their climax on December 1st…
Britain in the 70s: Scandal in Downing Street (Part 3)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook analyzing Britain's political crisis of 1975-76, when Harold Wilson unexpectedly resigned as Prime Minister amid economic collapse an…
Britain in the 70s: The Brexit That Never Was (Part 2)
This episode features Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook exploring Britain's first referendum in June 1975, when the country voted to remain in the European Community. The discussion centers on Harold …
Dawn of the Samurai: The Shōgun Triumphant (Part 4)
Tom Holland explores the legendary female warrior Tomoe Gozen and the climactic battles that established permanent samurai rule in Japan. The discussion centers on The Tale of the Heike, the epic chro…
Dawn of the Samurai: Japan’s Greatest Warrior (Part 3)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook exploring the climactic phase of Japan's Genpei War (1180-1185), focusing on the meteoric rise of three Minamoto generals: Yoritomo (…
Dawn of the Samurai: Bloodbath at the Bridge (Part 2)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the rise of Taira no Kiyomori, the first samurai to seize control of Japan's imperial court in 1159. Drawing extensively from The Tale of the Heike, described…
Music: The Father of the Blues, Golden Age of Jazz, and David Bowie | History in Photos
This episode features Dominic from The Rest is History in conversation with photographer Chris Floyd, exploring the intersection of photography and music history. The discussion centers on iconic musi…
Dawn of the Samurai: The Shadow of the Sword (Part 1)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the origins of Japan's most mythologized warrior class, the samurai, beginning with the legendary Taira no Masakado in 940 CE. Holland brings expertise in med…
The Ku Klux Klan: American Fascists (Part 4)
This episode examines the peak and collapse of the second Ku Klux Klan in the mid-1920s, featuring historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook exploring one of America's largest mass movements. The d…
The Ku Klux Klan: Birth of a Nation (Part 3)
This episode examines the second incarnation of the Ku Klux Klan, born in Georgia in 1915 and fundamentally different from its Reconstruction-era predecessor. Rather than a secretive paramilitary grou…
The Ku Klux Klan: Terror in the South (Part 2)
This episode examines the Ku Klux Klan's reign of terror during Reconstruction, featuring historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook analyzing the organization's systematic campaign to destroy Repub…
The Ku Klux Klan: The Rise of Evil (Part 1)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the origins of the first Ku Klux Klan in post-Civil War America. The discussion traces how a social club founded by six Confederate veterans in Pulaski, Tenne…
London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4)
This episode explores the complex triangular relationship between Samuel Johnson, Mrs. Hester Thrale (later Mrs. Piazzi), and James Boswell during Johnson's final decades. Johnson, the great literary …
London’s Golden Age: The Ghosts of Culloden (Part 3)
This episode follows the legendary 1773 journey of Samuel Johnson, England's foremost literary figure, and his companion James Boswell through Scotland's Western Islands. Johnson, age 64 and described…
London’s Golden Age: Sex and Scandal in Georgian Britain (Part 2)
This episode explores the extraordinary friendship between James Boswell, a 22-year-old Scottish lawyer and aspiring libertine, and Samuel Johnson, the towering literary figure of 18th-century London.…
London’s Golden Age: The Mad Life of Dr Johnson (Part 1)
This episode explores the extraordinary friendship between Samuel Johnson, the 53-year-old literary celebrity known as 'the great cham,' and James Boswell, a 22-year-old Scottish admirer who would bec…
The Fall of the Incas: The Last Emperor (Part 6)
This episode concludes the epic saga of the Spanish conquest of Peru, examining the final collapse of both Spanish conquistador factions and the last Inca resistance. The hosts trace the bloody vendet…
The Fall of the Incas: Battle for the Sacred City (Part 5)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continuing their series on the fall of the Inca Empire, focusing on the dramatic events of 1535-1537. The discussion centers on Manco…
The Fall of the Incas: The King in the North (Part 4)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their exploration of the Spanish conquest of Peru, focusing on Francisco Pizarro's capture of Cusco and the systematic looting of Inca gold. The episode draw…
Greatest Paintings: The French Revolution - Millet's Angelus
Tom Holland hosts this episode with art critic Laura Cumming, exploring four paintings that reflect particular historical periods. This final episode examines The Angelus by Jean-François Millet, pain…
The Fall of the Incas: Death to the Emperor (Part 3)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continuing their series on the fall of the Inca Empire, drawing from The Royal Hunt of the Sun by Peter Shaffer and historical accoun…
The Book Club: Wuthering Heights
Dominic Sandbrook from The Rest is History and Tabitha Siret introduce The Book Club, a new weekly series launching every Tuesday that explores the greatest and most fascinating books of all time. The…
The Fall of the Incas: Massacre in the Andes (Part 2)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their series on the Spanish conquest of Peru, focusing on the dramatic confrontation between Francisco Pizarro's conquistadors and Inca Emperor Atahualpa at …
Greatest Paintings: Age of Enlightenment - Raeburn's Skating Minister
Tom Holland and Laura Cumming explore Henry Raeburn's 'The Skating Minister' (1795), Scotland's most famous painting, in their series examining great paintings within their historical contexts. The di…
The Fall of the Incas: Empire of Gold (Part 1)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, featuring Francisco Pizarro, an illiterate conquistador from Extremadura, and the doomed emperor Atahualpa. This seri…
Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage Destroyed (Part 4)
This episode features Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook concluding their epic three-series exploration of the Punic Wars with the final destruction of Carthage in 146 BC. The discussion opens with Vir…
Greatest Paintings: The Ghost of Spain – Velázquez’s Las Meninas
Tom Holland and Laura Cumming examine Diego Velázquez's masterpiece Las Meninas, painted in 1656, as part of their series exploring how great paintings reflect their historical periods. Cumming, autho…
Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Bloodbath in Africa (Part 3)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook analyzing the climactic Battle of Zama in 202 BC, where Scipio Africanus finally defeated Hannibal after 16 years of war in Italy. Th…
The Arnolfini Portrait, with Laura Cumming
This episode appears to feature Laura and another host discussing a detailed art analysis of what seems to be a significant historical painting. The conversation focuses on the intricate symbolic elem…
Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage at the Gates (Part 1)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook exploring the aftermath of Hannibal's greatest victory at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC. They examine the crucial decision by Hannib…
Revolution in Iran: Death in the Desert (Part 4)
This episode concludes the Iranian Revolution series by examining Operation Eagle Claw, the failed 1980 rescue mission that doomed Jimmy Carter's presidency. The conversation features detailed analysi…
Revolution in Iran: The Hostage Crisis (Part 3)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the Iranian hostage crisis that devastated Jimmy Carter's presidency. The episode covers the dramatic seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979,…
Revolution in Iran: Rise of the Ayatollah (Part 2)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook analyzing the climactic months of the Iranian Revolution from autumn 1978 through 1979. The discussion centers on three key figures: …
Revolution in Iran: Fall of the Shah (Part 1)
This episode examines the dramatic collapse of the Shah of Iran and rise of Ayatollah Khomeini through the experiences of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, and Mohammed Reza Pahla…
Joan of Arc: Heroine in Chains (Part 3)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook exploring Joan of Arc's military campaigns following her triumph at Orléans. The discussion centers on a letter from Guy de Laval, a …
Joan of Arc: Saviour of France (Part 2)
This episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continuing their exploration of Joan of Arc's military campaign. They examine the dramatic four-day relief of Orléans in May 1429, wh…
Joan of Arc: Warrior Maid (Part 1)
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examining the life of Joan of Arc through the lens of Christine de Pizan's 1429 poem celebrating the teenage warrior. Christine de Piz…
Wagner: LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall
The episode features Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, hosts of The Rest is History podcast, presenting the second half of their live show from the Royal Albert Hall on May 4, 2025, focused on compos…
Tchaikovsky: LIVE at the Royal Albert Hall
The episode features hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook presenting a live show at the Royal Albert Hall on May 4th with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Oliver Zeffman, focusing on the lif…
WWI: The Christmas Truce
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examining the Christmas Truce of 1914, focusing on the 20-mile stretch of Western Front held by British and German forces south of Ypr…
Jack The Ripper: The Killer Unmasked (Part 5)
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discussing suspects in the Jack the Ripper case, examining theories ranging from police investigations to modern conspiracy theories. …
Jack The Ripper: From Hell (Part 4)
This episode of The rest is history features hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examining the murder of Mary Jane Kelly, the final and most horrific victim attributed to Jack the Ripper, killed N…
Jack The Ripper: The Killer Strikes Again (Part 3)
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discussing the Jack the Ripper murders of autumn 1888, focusing on the double event of September 30th and its aftermath in Victorian L…
Jack The Ripper: Horror in Whitechapel (Part 2)
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examining the Jack the Ripper murders of 1888, focusing on the escalating media frenzy and police investigation following the canonica…
The Beatles: The British Invasion, with Conan O’Brien (Part 2)
This episode features Conan O'Brien joining host Tom Holland to discuss The Beatles' final years from 1966-1970, covering their transition from live performances to studio experimentation. The convers…
Jack The Ripper: History’s Darkest Mystery (Part 1)
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook beginning a five-part series on Jack the Ripper, examining both the notorious murders and the social history of Victorian London at it…
The Nazis at War: Churchill’s Finest Hour (Part 4)
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook analyzing the Battle of Britain and its aftermath from the Nazi perspective, examining how Britain's survival became a turning point i…
The Beatles: The Band that Changed the World, with Conan O’Brien (Part 1)
The episode features Tom Holland in conversation with Conan O'Brien at Abbey Road Studios, discussing the Beatles' historical significance. O'Brien shares his experiences meeting three of the four Bea…
The Nazis at War: The Fall of France (Part 3)
The episode features historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discussing the fall of France in June 1940, focusing on Hitler's triumphant tour of Paris, the Dunkirk evacuation, and the French surr…
The Nazis at War: Blitzkrieg (Part 2)
The episode features historians Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland examining the pivotal events of May 1940, when Hitler's invasion of Western Europe coincided with Winston Churchill's emergence as Bri…
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