Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
326: The Year of Revolutions: 1848
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Few years in European History saw as much change and turmoil as 1848: across the continent, from Vie...
325: Fall of Saigon: Apocalypse Now (Part 2)
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“It is 105 degrees in Saigon, and rising.” This announcement, made through U.S. Armed Forces rad...
324: Fall of Saigon: The Nightmare Begins (Part 1)
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's 1975, and in the final act of the Vietnam War, the U.S. have ordered all remaining civilian and...
323: History's Greatest Dogs
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rin Tin Tin, born on the Western Front in 1918, became one of the biggest movie stars of the silent ...
322: East Germany: Life Behind the Iron Curtain
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The German Democratic Republic was born in the ashes of the Second World War, and described itself a...
321: Hundred Years' War: A Storm of Swords (Part 4)
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Black Prince has gained lands in Aquitaine and Gascony through his brutal and thorough attacks. ...
320: Hundred Years' War: The Black Prince (Part 3)
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the spectre of the Black Death haunts Europe, a more tangible foe terrorises the French king and ...
319: Hundred Years' War: Triumph of the Longbow (Part 2)
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
State of the art military technology. Blind battle commanders. Iconic kingly lines. Tom and Dominic ...
318: Hundred Years' War: A Game of Thrones (Part 1)
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dynastic turmoil, inconvenient treaties with Scotland, tales of knights, longbows and the golden age...
317: African Amazons
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A story spanning modern-day Ghana, Angola, and Benin, historian Luke Pepera joins Tom and Dominic to...
316: The First Abolitionist
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's 1718, an English Quaker lands in Barbados. He is soon horrified to discover the treatment of pe...
315: Atlantis: Legacy of the Lost Empire (Part 2)
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From claims that the alphabet was originated by Atlantians, Francis Bacon using the story as a model...
314: Atlantis: The Legend (Part 1)
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Majestic palaces, untold riches, and indeterminable power... the story of Atlantis is a tale as old ...
313: Climate Apocalypse
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have humans always been haunted by fears of a climate apocalypse? Or is that a modern phenomenon? Is...
312: Reagan, Iran-Contra and the Cold War (Part 3)
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Warmonger or nuclear disarmer? Ronald Reagan’s presidency survived an assassination attempt, the A...
311: Reagan: The Road to the White House (Part 2)
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
His Hollywood career drying up, Ronald Reagan works both for the Screen Actors Guild and General Ele...
310: Ronald Reagan and the American Dream (Part 1)
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ronald "Dutch" Reagan was born in 1911 to a humble family of Illinois, his father an FDR-loving demo...
309: Columbus: Villain or Hero? (Part 4)
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Columbus caused debate in his own time, and remains a controversial figure today: some a...
308: Columbus: Death in the Caribbean (Part 3)
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Columbus returns to the remnants of his first voyage to the "Indies", having convinced Isabella and ...
307: Columbus: A New World? (Part 2)
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Having convinced the Catholic Monarchs to fund his journey across the Atlantic, Columbus sets sail w...
306: Columbus: The Adventure Begins (Part 1)
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A controversial figure both now and in his time, Tom and Dominic discuss Columbus and his drive for ...
305: The Fall of the Roman Republic
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this second episode on perhaps the most notorious assasination in world history, Tom and Dominic ...
304: The Murder of Julius Caesar
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“He was trapped - he couldn’t get up. There was blood everywhere. The faces were coming closer, ...
303: The Bloodiest Crusade
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Thought by some as the first genocide in Europe, the Albigensian Crusade was the bloodiest crusade i...
302: The Mystery of the Cathars
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Was the Catholic Church Europe’s first revolutionary group? How are the Cathars linked to the gene...
301: The Real Da Vinci Code
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Secret societies, Jesus' ancient bloodline, Catholic conspirators; all backed up by documents in the...
300: The Real Downton Abbey
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Edwardian Britain: Domestic service is at its peak. However, as Britain modernises, things were abou...
299: The Greatest Female Pharaoh
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
"One of the greatest rulers to have ever lived" - Tom Holland. But how much do you know about Hatshe...
298: The Nazis: Total Power (Part 4)
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hitler is chancellor, but he is not yet all-powerful. How does he go from becoming the leader of the...
297: The Nazis: Hitler's Triumph (Part 3)
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wall Street crashes. The German economy capitulates and governments start to fall. Backroom deals an...
296: The Nazis: The Beer Hall Putsch (Part 2)
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
German hyperinflation. The Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler’s trial. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss ...
295: The Rise of the Nazis (Part 1)
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where do the origins of Nazism lie? The Second Reich? Hitler’s time in Vienna? The First World War...
294: Lady Jane Grey: The Axe Falls (Part 2)
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
‘It had the alchemy of a bitter Tory leadership race’. Reigning for the shortest period of any ...
293: Lady Jane Grey: The Nine Days' Queen (Part 1)
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Edward VI is dead - but who will succeed him on the throne? In the first of two episodes, Tom an...
292: The Shadow of the Holocaust
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In our second episode exploring the story of Rudolf Vrba, Jonathan Freedland joins Tom and Dominic a...
291: The Man Who Escaped Auschwitz
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tom and Dominic are joined by Jonathan Freedland to discuss the incredible story of Rudolf Vrba and ...
290: 2022: A History
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic for the final episode of 2022 in which they discuss the historical importance o...
289: Drink
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For a festive special, Tom and Dominic are joined by author and alcohol historian Henry Jeffreys to ...
288: Jesus Christ: The History (Part 2)
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic for the second of two episodes on 'Historical Jesus'. They discuss scepticism a...
287: Jesus Christ: The Mystery (Part 1)
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
*The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023*: Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and perf...
286: England: Beef and Liberty
18 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
England: Roast Beef and Liberty While it has now been dethroned by the mighty Tikka Masala and th...
285: Canada: Beaver Wars
17 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Canada: Beaver Wars Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the illustrious history of the beaver. This...
284: Denmark: The Great Escape
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Denmark: The Great Escape In today's episode, Tom and Dominic look at the story of how the vast majo...
283: Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Charles Darwin's t...
282: Morocco: The Rif War
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Morocco: The Rif War In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Rif War, predecessor to the Spa...
281: Spain: The Caliphate of Córdoba
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Tom and Dominic are in Islamic Spain discussing Roman conquests, melancholy Emirs and vibrant...
280: Serbia: The Birthplace of Civilisation
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A little known story. Serbia, the home to one of the first great civilisations. They had the first w...
279: Cameroon: The Slave General of Peter the Great
11 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s World Cup special on Cameroon, Tom and Dominic tell the fascinating story of “probabl...
278: France: The Mystery of Le Prince
10 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Tom and Dominic explore the origins of the motion-picture camera, a device inven...
277: Japan: Samurai and Shoguns
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the history of Japan through six characters, with leadin...
276: Netherlands: The Maid of Holland
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic as, for the first time ever, they dip their toes into the Dutch republic. They ...
275: Argentina: The Welsh Colony
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why are there Welsh speakers born in Argentina? Join Tom and Dominic to understand the fascinating a...
274: Switzerland: Calvin's Cancel Culture
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Tom and Dominic are in 16th century Calvinist Geneva, where Michael Servetus is being condemn...
273: Portugal: The Carnation Revolution
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic return to the history of Portugal to discuss militar...
272: Senegal: The Door of No Return
04 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Senegalese island of Gorée, and its complex relatio...
271: Belgium: History's Greatest Artist
03 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Who is the greatest artist of all time? Join Tom and Dominic as Belgian historian Bart van Loo puts ...
270: Poland: Copernicus, the Dragon and the Salt Mine
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic as they explore the seven wonders of Poland. Hear all about Krakus the dragon-...
269: Ghana: The Ashanti Empire
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Ashanti Empire. Tune in to hear about the...
268: Brazil: The Last Emperor
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As promised during the Portugal mini-series, Tom and Dominic are returning to Brazil to discuss its ...
267: Wales: The Roar of the Red Dragon
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are the origins of Wales? And how do the Welsh define themselves against Englishness? As Englan...
266: South Korea: The Riddle of Hwang Jini
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic on their journey to the 16th century Korean peninsula, as they discuss Hwang Ji...
265: Saudi Arabia: The Mystery of the Kaaba
27 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic for their World Cup episode on Saudi Arabia, where they discuss 'the most fam...
264: Mexico: Day of the Dead
26 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the Day of the Dead you eat pan de muerto and exchange calaveras with your friends. This celebrat...
263: USA vs England: The 200-Year Rivalry
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's World Cup special, Anglo-American relations are at their most tense, as the USA and Engla...
262: Tunisia: Dido of Carthage
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic as they tell the story of the tragic heroine of Virgil’s Aeneid - Dido of Car...
261: Uruguay: The Tupamaros
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 1963, with the influence of the Cuban Revolution strong in South America, the left wing guerrilla...
260: Croatia: The Man Who Saved The Roman Empire
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"In conditions of chaos, people from outside the Roman social elite can rise to the top." Join Tom ...
259. Iran: England - 'The Little Satan'
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the day of England vs. Iran, Tom and Dominic are joined by friend of the show, Ali Ansari, to dis...
258. Costa Rica: Civil War
20 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic as they continue the World Cup series by discussing the Costa Rican Civil War. ...
257. Australia: The Mystery of the Somerton Man
19 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s Australian-themed World Cup episode, Tom leads us through the incredible true story of ...
256. Germany: The White Rose
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Since the conquest of Poland, 300,000 Jews have been murdered in this country in the most bestial...
255. Qatar: A History
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It is finally here. Tom and Dominic are embarking upon their mighty World Cup themed extravaganza. E...
254. The World Cup: The Falklands, despots, and corruption (Part 3)
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In their last episode on the World Cup, Tom and Dominic are joined by the face of football, Gary Lin...
253. The World Cup: Post-war reconciliation, Brazilian dictatorship, and North Koreans in Middlesbrough (Part 2)
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the second episode of The Rest Is History's definitive guide to the history of the FIFA W...
252. The World Cup: British Imperialism, South American rivalries, and Mussolini (Part 1)
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Rest Is History's definitive guide to the history of the FIFA World Cup, which looks ...
History's coming home... (preview)
12 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Forget the football, the next month's entertainment is coming from The Rest is History! Join Tom an...
251. Alfred the Great: Return of the King (Part 2)
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Battling with the expanding power of the Vikings, listen to Tom and Dominic discover how King Alfred...
250. Alfred the Great: Fury of the Vikings (Part 1)
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alfred the Great is under invasion from the Vikings. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Alfred's ...
249. Treason in Modern Britain (Part 2)
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic for the second part of their exploration of the history of treason. How has the...
248. Medieval Treason (Part 1)
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic at the National Archives as they explore the history of treason in Britain, goi...
247. Monty & Patton vs. the Nazis
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do commanders matter? Were the British generals effective or "foppish"? How did the Allies rebound...
246. The Fall of Liz Truss
22 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After just 45 days, Liz Truss has resigned. Join Tom and Dominic for this special episode to discus...
245. Trafalgar: Victory (Part 3)
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode Tom and Dominic discuss the legendary Battle of Trafalgar. Despite being outnu...
244. Trafalgar: Countdown to Annihilation (Part 2)
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of Tom and Dominic's Trafalgar trilogy, the stakes could not be higher. They d...
243. Trafalgar: A World at War (Part 1)
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Was the Battle of Trafalgar the most decisive battle of the 19th century? Join Tom and Dominic as th...
242. French History on Film
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tom and Dominic welcome film critic Muriel Zagha to discuss the home of cinema, France, and its hist...
241. Young Churchill: Prisoner and Fugitive (Part 3)
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the final instalment of our series on Young Churchill, learn how Churchill escaped a prisoner of ...
240. Young Churchill: Soldier of Empire (Part 2)
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Tom and Dominic in the second episode of our mini-series on Young Churchill as they dive into h...
239: Young Churchill: Born to Lead (Part 1)
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
‘The child is the father of the man.’ In the first episode of this mini-series on Young Churchi...
238. The Regency Revolution
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How were the bonnets, corsets, and empire line dresses of the Regency period expressive of a revolut...
237. Marilyn Monroe
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Actress, singer, model and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe has long been associated with old school Hollyw...
236. China and World War II (Part 2)
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tom and Dominic welcome back special guest Rana Mitter to discuss China's position during World W...
235. China and World War II (Part 1)
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Friend of the show Rana Mitter joins Tom and Dominic this week to discuss the role of China in the...
234. Germans Behaving Badly
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why is modern society so self-obsessed? The answer may be found in a group of late 18th century Ger...
233. The Loch Ness Monster
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Does the Loch Ness Monster exist? When was the first mention of it recorded in history? And who are ...
232. Queen Elizabeth II (Part 2)
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In February 1952, on the death of her father King George VI, the 25-year-old Elizabeth became Queen....
231. Queen Elizabeth II (Part 1)
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The death of the Queen at the age of 96 brings to an end seven decades of her reign over Britain and...
230. Portugal: Football, Fado, and Fascism? (Part 4)
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the final chapter of this series on the history of Portugal, Tom and Dominic explore Portugal ...
229. Portugal: Gold, Earthquakes, and Brazil (Part 3)
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Earthquakes, gold rush, and Brazil. Join Tom and Dominic for the third episode in this history of P...
228. Portugal: The Golden Age of Discovery (Part 2)
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the second episode of this Portugal mini-series, Tom and Dominic discuss the Portuguese setting s...