The Rest Is History

What military parallels does Putin's invasion of Ukraine have with Hitler's attempt to invade the Soviet Union? On today's pod Tom and Dominic are joined by historian - and brother of Tom - James Holland to discuss Operation Barbarossa and the Nazi invasion of 1941, whether it was doomed to fail, and the role it played in the escalation of the Holocaust. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to liste...

In January, Tom and Dominic explored the history of Babylon, from Nebuchadnezzar onwards (episode 145 in the Rest Is History feed). At the end of that episode, there was a promise to revisit Babylon's earlier period to fully do the topic justice - so here it is! Tune in to hear about the constant theft of the Statue of Marduk, the formidable Assyrians, and what Dominic describes as his 'favourite...

George Orwell, a love of wildlife, and Raheem Sterling - but what does it mean to be English in the modern world? In today's episode, Tom and Dominic are joined by the New Statesman editor, Jason Cowley, to discuss England and Englishness in the 20th century. Jason's new book 'Who Are We Now?' is available at all good book retailers. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full...

In the second of two episodes covering France's post-war presidents, Tom and Dominic drill down into the remaining historical statesmen, bringing us right up to the current day. François Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy, François Hollande, and Emmanuel Macron - there are some incredible stories... Join The Rest Is History Club (restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full arc...

It's the day after the French election runoff between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, so naturally here's a Rest Is History French Presidents special. Charles de Gaulle, Georges Pompidou, and Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Join Tom and Dominic for the first of two episodes on the topic, as they dive headfirst into the first three post-war presidents.  Join us tomorrow for the second part of this spe...

In the second of two episodes on the Jewish Revolt, Tom and Dominic discuss the burning of the Temple, Vespasian & Titus' triumph, and Masada. Why was it such a landmark revolt for both Christianity and Judaism? What happened in its aftermath? And what has its historical significance been in the modern world? All this and more on today's episode of The Rest Is History. Join The Rest Is History Clu...

"The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans: a thrilling, terrible, and blood-soaked story." Following on from last week's episode on the Crucifixion, Tom and Dominic take us back to Judea to dissect the tumultuous events of the Jewish Revolt. Tune in to hear the first part of the incredible story that features Pontius Pilate, Nero, and the figure of Jesus - plus how it all tenuously links to Brya...

Crucifixions were a form of public execution so heinous that the Romans themselves were reluctant to document their gory details... In this Easter special, Tom and Dominic trace the origins and evolution of crucifixion - as well as the historical accuracy of Jesus' death. Warning: this pod is not for the faint of heart. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekl...

Richard II, Prince Charles, and Tony Blair. From Merlin, to the middle ages, to the modern day, the mysterious world of magic, necromancy and the occult has had a notable presence in the lives of British monarchs, politicians and members of high society.  Tom and Dominic are joined by Francis Young, author of 'Magic in Merlin's Realm: A History of Occult Politics in Britain' to discuss this infini...

China's Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao was one of the most staggeringly brutal events in recent human history. Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Rana Mitter, who specialises in the history of Republican China. *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia! Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod...

In the final part of our Falklands series, Tom and Dominic discuss the legacy of the war in both the UK and Argentina, and debate whether the nostalgic sentiment stirred by Britain’s victory laid the foundations for Brexit. If you enjoyed this series and want a deeper dive into the Falklands War, featuring interviews with some the key players like special forces commandos, politicians and military...

In the third episode of our Falklands War mini-series, the story heats up. The most controversial episode of the war, the sinking of the Belgrano, takes place, the British Task Force lands and battle plays out. Tom and Dominic thumb through their copies of the Sun, relive Reagan's final plea to Thatcher, and recount the stories of the men on the ground as Britain closed in on victory. For access t...

In the second episode of our Falklands War mini-series, Britain is faced with an Argentine occupation and prepares to go to war. Margaret Thatcher discovers her inner Winston Churchill - but faces a titanic showdown in Parliament, which sits on a Saturday for the first time since Suez. The Task Force eventually sails - to huge public support - while the US, France and Chile all lend a hand.  Come...

Welcome to our mini-series on The Falklands War, where Tom and Dominic will break down the causes, conflict and aftermath of the war on its fortieth anniversary.  In the first episode we dig into the history of the islands, the causes behind the Argentine invasion, and the domestic situation in both Britain and Argentina in the late 70s and early 80s. The boys also dissect the almost farcical even...

Tom and Dominic are back with Helen Thompson for a second episode on the history of oil, its impact and how it shapes geopolitics. Tune in to hear about the impact of oil production on US Politics, its importance to the history and current situation in Ukraine, and what we can learn about oil from the exploits of J. R. Ewing in the TV show 'Dallas'. The pod also looks to the future, examining Chin...

Tom and Dominic are joined by Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge, to talk about the incredible influence of oil over the last couple of centuries. Discussion covers the first oil well ever drilled, how it's hard to overestimate Hitler's obsession with oil, and the formation of OPEC in the aftermath of the Suez Crisis. Helen's new book 'Disorder: Hard Time...

The second of two episodes on Genghis Khan, listen to yesterday's pod (165. The Rise of Genghis Khan) before listening to this one! 'An almost sacral figure' in the words of Tom Holland, Genghis Khan has become the paramount leader of the Mongols.  Can we call his kingdom a 'Mongol Empire'? What was his aim? And why are some now calling him an 'eco-warrior'?! Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-f...

Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook speak to Ali Ansari about the origins of one of the greatest warlords in human history - Genghis Khan. They discuss his early life as Temujin and how he became Genghis Khan, leader of the Mongols. Catch the second episode - Genghis Khan: Lord of the Mongols - tomorrow! Or get it right now as a member of The Rest Is History Club, where you also get ad-free listenin...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  No, Tom isn't turning Brixton's River Effra green, nor is Dominic distributing shamrocks throughout the Oxfordshire countryside, but they're here anyway with a very special pod on the mysterious Apostle of Ireland.  When was St. Patrick alive? Where was he really born? Why was he kidnapped by pirates? And did he really banish the snakes from Ireland? All this and more on...

What links the Mexican Republic, Palmerston, the Hapsburgs, Napoleon III and butterfly catching? Please tweet us if you can think of anything other than the following answer, which is the incredible story of the Last Emperor of Mexico. Tom and Dominic are joined by Edward Shawcross as they travel back to recount and discuss this amazing moment in Mexican history. Join The Rest Is History Club for...

[Episode 4 of 4] 'In the noughties, Russian democracy becomes a form of show business' In the final instalment of our Russia mini-series, Tom and Dominic reach the climax of Putin’s rise to power, charting how a former KGB agent managed to climb from relative obscurity to become the uncrowned Tsar of Russia. The episode also touches on his relationship with oligarchs such as Roman Abramovich, the...

[Episode 3 of 4] 'You certainly won't understand what ordinary Russians see in Vladimir Putin if you don't understand what happened in the 1990s. A time of utter, utter collapse.'  In part three of our Soviet Union, Russia and Putin series, Tom and Dominic drill down into the details of the chaos in 90s Russia, the laughing stock Yeltsin became on the global stage, and Putin's brutal rise to power...

[Episode 2 of 4] This episode of The Rest Is History marks the second instalment in our four part series on the Soviet Union, Russia and the rise of Vladimir Putin. From the 70th anniversary of the Russian Revolution in 1987 to the fall of the Soviet Union on Christmas Day 1991, this episode is jam-packed full of late Soviet drama.  Tune in now to hear about the abuse Yeltsin received after his at...

[Episode 1 of 4] Welcome to our new four part series on the latter years of the Soviet Union, its fall, Putin's early life and his subsequent rise to power. Today's episode focuses on Brezhnev, Putin's formative years, his early KGB career and Gorbachev's descent into chaos. Was Putin a nationalist or a communist? What changed from Brezhnev to Gorbachev? What was Putin doing in East Germany during...

How much do you know about the lethal price people have paid over the centuries to look fashionable? In today's episode Tom and Dominic are joined by Dr. Alison Matthews David to discuss the dark secrets behind the history of garments. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. P...