The Rest Is History

The Rest Is History

Goalhanger

Episodes 715
Avg. Duration 55m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.7 (13,187)
Since Oct 2020
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Open to Sponsors Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every Few Days
Format
Episodic
Consistency
74%
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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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Recent Episodes

678. Britain: God Save the King (Part 2)

Jun 10, 2026 1h 11m

How did the Napoleonic Wars contribute to the enshrinement of the British national anthem? What are the Jacobite origins of this legendary melody? And, which British monarch was it written…

677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)

Jun 07, 2026 1h 10m

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…

676. The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6)

Jun 03, 2026 1h 17m

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…

675. The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)

May 31, 2026 1h 16m

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…

674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4)

May 27, 2026 1h 7m

Why did the British nurse, Edith Cavell, become a key player in the Belgian Resistance to German occupation? How did she carry out her mission? And, why was she ultimately executed, so…

673. The First World War: The Submarine Strikes (Part 3)

May 24, 2026 1h 16m

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…

672. The First World War: Italy’s Doomed Campaign (Part 2)

May 20, 2026 1h 11m

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…

Empress Matilda: Civil War and the Fight for the Throne

May 19, 2026 43m Bonus

How did Matilda, princess of England, become Empress of the Holy Roman Empire in 1110? What disbarred her from becoming queen of England after her father's death? And, why did she go to battle for…

671. The First World War: Blood in the Trenches (Part 1)

May 17, 2026 1h 24m

During the First World War, what was it like to live in the trenches on the Western Front in 1915? How did the Germans attempt to knock the Allies out of the war right from the outset? And, what…

670. Tom Holland Meets Paul McCartney

May 14, 2026 39m

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…

669. Greece vs. Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2)

May 13, 2026 1h 9m

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…

668. Greece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1)

May 10, 2026 1h 12m

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…

667. The Mystery of the Mona Lisa

May 06, 2026 1h 9m

Is there a secret meaning behind the Mona Lisa’s famously ambiguous smile? What light does the painting shed upon Renaissance Italy, and Leonardo da Vinci himself? And, who is the mysterious man or…

666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation

May 03, 2026 1h 15m

What does The Odyssey teach us about the history of wine in the ancient world? How did Julius Caesar use wine to conquer the world? And, why was The Judgement of Paris - when America took on France -…

665. Britain in the 70s: The Bailout from Hell (Part 4)

Apr 29, 2026 1h 15m

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…

664. Britain in the 70s: Scandal in Downing Street (Part 3)

Apr 26, 2026 1h 14m

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…

663. Britain in the 70s: The Brexit That Never Was (Part 2)

Apr 22, 2026 1h 17m

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…

662. Britain in the 70s: The Rise of Thatcher (Part 1)

Apr 19, 2026 1h 15m

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…

661. Dawn of the Samurai: The Shōgun Triumphant (Part 4)

Apr 15, 2026 1h 4m

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…

660. Dawn of the Samurai: Japan’s Greatest Warrior (Part 3)

Apr 12, 2026 1h 1m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Rest Is History have?

The Rest Is History has published 715 episodes since October 2020, covering topics in History.

Is The Rest Is History still active?

The Rest Is History is currently highly active with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 55m.

How do I contact The Rest Is History for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Rest Is History, including email and social media links.

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