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.
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Was Benjamin Franklin really an American? What was his childhood like? How was he finally converted to the American Revolutionary cause? And, what role did he play in setting the struggle in motion? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the life of the most unique of the American founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin. 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...
Where did George Washington come from, and what was he like? How did he come to take on such a pivotal role in the American Revolution? And, was he really central to America’s triumphant struggle for independence? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the extraordinary life and origins of George Washington. 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...
How did the rugby World Cup final of 1995 inspire South Africa’s totemic national anthem? Why does the story shed a light on the history of Apartheid in South Africa? And, after becoming president, following years of imprisonment, how did Mandela use rugby and the national anthem to forge a new South Africa? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the inspiring story behind South Africa’s national anthem, the collapse of Apartheid, and Nelson Mandela’s presidency. _______ Lloyds. 250 years on and s...
What does the Brazilian national anthem reveal about its history of slavery and revolt? Why did the king of Portugal rule his country all the way from Rio in the 19th century? Who was the first emperor of Brazil? And, why was the second anthem a symbol of liberty? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve into the chaotic episode of Brazilian history that resulted in its first and second national anthems. _______ Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations. Join The Rest Is History ...
This episode delves into the Dutch Revolt, a pivotal 80-year struggle that birthed the modern Netherlands and influenced later revolutions. It explores the paradoxical figure of William of Orange, 'William the Silent,' who led the rebellion while pledging loyalty to the Spanish King. Discover the Wilhelmus, the world's oldest national anthem, whose complex origins and lyrics perfectly reflect the nuanced history of Dutch independence and identity.
How did Benito Mussolini’s regime in the 1930s use sport to spread his ideology and prepare Italy for war? What infrastructure and propaganda strategies did he use to make the 1934 World Cup a showcase for fascism? And, did this form of propaganda actually work? In this brand new The Rest Is History Club mini series, Dominic is joined by Paul Rouse to talk about dictatorships’ connections to football World Cups. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusi...
Why is the German national anthem the most controversial of all? Is it true that it is Austrian in origin? And, what happened when Germany split after the Second World War? Did it perhaps lead to an absolute banger in the form of East Germany’s new anthem..? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the history of Germany and its various different anthems. _______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to ...
This episode explores the complex history of "God Save the King," from its 18th-century enshrinement during the Napoleonic Wars to its Jacobite origins and evolution as a national anthem. It discusses its contrasting reception with other national anthems and examines modern British attitudes toward it, including the debate around alternative anthems for England and Scotland in sporting events.
How did the War of 1812 result in America’s national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner? Who came up with it? And, why does this origin story make the anthem so controversial? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the first episode of their Football World Cup special, with the story behind America’s national anthem, and its secret story. _______ *Father’s Day discounted gift memberships available here . Treat your dad to ad-free listening, early access to full series, bonus episodes, and much m...
After Gallipoli has descended into a bloodbath, why do the British pour in more troops? Does Churchill finally understand his fateful error? How do the allies escape the total mess they find themselves in? And, why has this failed campaign become the foundational moment of Anzac identity? Join Dominic and Tom as they bring an end to this disastrous Gallipoli campaign and the bloody year of 1915. _______ Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations. _______ Join The Rest Is His...
Why was the Battle of Gallipoli, starting in February 1915, in Turkey, so disastrous for the Allies, and in particular, Winston Churchill? How has it become such a foundational moment in the national identity of New Zealand and Australia? And, how did it transform the destiny of Turkey? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the worst military catastrophes of the First World War. _______ Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations. _______ Join The Rest Is History Cl...
This episode delves into the extraordinary life and controversial execution of British nurse Edith Cavell during World War I. It explores her courageous involvement in the Belgian Resistance, where she helped hundreds of Allied soldiers escape German occupation, and examines the circumstances of her trial and death sentence. The hosts discuss her transformation into a powerful propaganda symbol and her complex legacy, including a reappraisal of her actions and impact.
Was the Lusitania merely an ocean liner like Titanic, or a formidable battle ship? How and why did a German U-boat fleet manage to bring down this titan of the sea? And, how did the tragedy ignite the United States’ decision to finally join the War in 1917? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the most cataclysmic events of the First World War, and a major turning point for America’s intervention…. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive ...
How did Italy enter the First World War alongside the Allies in 1915? What were they hoping to gain? And, why was their attempt to invade the Austro-Hungarian Empire one of the bloodiest campaigns of the entire war? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss Italy’s entrance into the War, their disastrous efforts to carve out a corner of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the terrible aftermath of this brutal conflict. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusiv...
This episode delves into the remarkable life of Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I, and her contentious fight for the English throne in the 12th century, a period known as 'The Anarchy'. Joined by historian Helen Castor, the hosts explore the challenges of female rule, the significance of royal legitimacy, and the dramatic events that shaped Matilda's legacy as a powerful matriarch who paved the way for the Plantagenet dynasty through her son, Henry II.
Delving into the First World War in 1915, this episode vividly portrays life on the Western Front through the eyes of soldiers like Robert Graves and Ernst Junger. It covers the primitive conditions of the trenches, the pervasive misery of mud, lice, and rats, and the devastating psychological toll of shellfire. The episode also details Germany's desperate use of chlorine gas at Ypres and the disastrous British gas attack at Loos, highlighting the escalating barbarity and human suffering, including the tragic story of John Kipling.
How was Paul McCartney influenced by life in postwar Liverpool? How did he and the Beatles first learn to make music? And were they influenced by literature as well as other musicians? Join Tom Holland as he asks Paul McCartney these questions and more in a very special interview for The Rest Is History which features a WORLD EXCLUSIVE reveal of one of the songs from Paul’s new album, Salesman Saint. The full album, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, is out May 29th. Salesman Saint' From the album 'The B...
Why did the Battle of Marathon change the world so considerably? How did the battle itself unfold? And, could the Athenians really triumph over the indomitable Persian Empire…? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the terrible Battle of Marathon, and its aftermath. 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, a...
Why did the Persian Empire cross the Aegean to destroy Athens in 490BC? Who was Darius, the King of Kings, and the most powerful man in the world? And, how did this totemic invasion unfold? Join Tom and Dominic as they launch into one of the most cataclysmic clashes in all ancient history: Persia’s invasion of Greece. 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 memb...
Uncover the captivating history behind Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, from its creation and the identity of its enigmatic sitter, Lisa del Giocondo, to its complex rise to global fame. This episode explores the artistic techniques, cultural shifts, and dramatic events, including its 1911 theft, that transformed a commissioned portrait into the world's most recognizable and debated artwork, culminating in its status as a tourism magnet and enduring symbol of high art.
Delve into the fascinating 8,000-year journey of wine, tracing its roots from Noah's vineyard and early Armenian wineries to the global trade networks established by Phoenicians and Greeks. Discover how wine became a tool of Roman imperial expansion, survived the Dark Ages through Christian abbeys, and navigated the complexities of Islamic prohibition and philosophical debate. The episode culminates with English contributions to bottling and corkscrews, the rise of French cultural dominance and the concept of terroir, and the watershed moment of the 1976 Judgment of Paris, which challenged Old World prestige.
How did the new British Prime Minister, Jim Callaghan, intend to keep Britain from bankruptcy in 1976? What extreme new step might have seen riots in the streets? And, would labour survive the greatest financial scandal in British history? Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the epic conclusion of their dramatic series on the most uproarious years of the 1970s in Britain, including the high point of the crisis, and the rise of punk. You’ve heard the story…now see it. Unlock the full History in Ph...
With Britain heading towards financial meltdown and paranoia in the air, could its exhausted Prime Minister, Harold Wilson survive? Why were bombs going off in London every few days in the winter of 1975? And, with inflation reaching unprecedented heights, would the government finally act? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss one of the greatest crisis points in modern British history. _______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ...
In the Spring of 1975, why was the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, so embattled? Why was the left so divided during this period? And, was Britain’s relationship with Europe already fracturing…? Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the trials of Harold Wilson, as the melee of 1970s Britain rolled on. _______ 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 ne...
How did Margaret Thatcher rise to become leader of the Conservative Party in Britain? Why were British politics so tumultuous in the 1970s? And, who was Thatcher up against? Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the dramas, calamities, and triumphs of Thatcher’s rise to power, in 1970s Britain. _______ 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 news...
Who was the greatest female Samurai warrior of all time? What would unfold in the next phase of the terrible civil war between the Minamoto and the Taira dynasties? And, how did the Samurai finally become the masters of Japan? Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the climactic conclusion of their journey into the rise of the Samurai. _______ 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 liv...
Who was Yoshitsune, one of the greatest generals in all Japanese history? What part did he play in the ferocious Samurai civil war between the Minamoto clan and the Taira? And, who would win the most decisive victory in all of Samurai history? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve deeper into the origin, rise, and triumph of the mighty Samurai, in 12th century Japan. _______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, ear...
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 What made the Samurai such elite warriors? How did the Minamoto clan seize control of vast swathes of Japan in the 12th century? And, which of their Samurai rivals would enact thei...
**Unlock the full episode and the complete History in Photos mini series by joining The Rest Is History Club at therestishistory.com ** Why are there only three confirmed photographs of Blues-legend Robert Johnson? How did Art Kane’s photo of 1950’s NYC Jazz musicians Great Day In Harlem serve as a symbol of American segregation? And, what is the connection between David Bowie’s face paint on the Aladdin Sane album cover, Elvis Presley, and the Templar Christian Brotherhood? In today’s episode o...
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 When did the Samurai come into being? How did they go from being provincial outsiders to masters of Japan, outstripping their aristocratic overlords? And, were they really the dead...
