Entirely Unofficial Rest is History Catalogue and Interrogator
Great Library of Chatham High Street
An in-depth catalogue and library of every episode in the archives of the Rest is History podcast. Every historical event and figure mentioned can be found here. Every book, author and guest can be discovered with links to the episodes they have appeared in. AI powered Q&A lets you find that elusive moment you remember, but can't quite place the episode - letting you jump straight to the point where Dom cracks up about Chatham wrestlers, or to discover the truth about the ancient British sport of Dwyle Flonking. Based on complete transcripts of the entire archive.
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Myths, legends and origin stories.
Mythic & Legendary
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RIHC: Iconic Episodes, Unforgettable Heroes, and History’s Greatest Apples
This special episode, recorded in Sydney to mark the podcast being named Apple’s 2025 Show of the Year, features hosts Tom Holland and Domi…
EpisodeThe Trojan War, with Mary Beard - FULL EPISODE
Tom Holland interviews classicist Mary Beard at Leighton House about the Trojan War and its place between myth and history. They retell the…
EpisodeGreek Myths: The Riddle of the Sphinx (Part 2)
This episode of The Rest Is History examines the myth of Oedipus and its cultural afterlife. Holland and Sandbrook retell the Sophoclean tr…
EpisodeGreek Myths: Jason & The Quest for the Golden Fleece (Part 4)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the myth of Jason and the Argonauts and its literary afterlife, especially Apollonius of Rhodes' …
Classical worlds from Mesopotamia to Rome.
Ancient Civilisations & Classical Antiquity
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RIHC: Is Marathon the Most Important Battle in Ancient History?
In this Rest Is History Club Q&A bonus, hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook revisit the Battle of Marathon, fielding listener questions…
EpisodeGreece vs Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook dramatise the pivotal Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. Drawing on He…
EpisodeGreece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the early Persian response to the Ionian Revolt, beginning with the burning of Sa…
EpisodeWine and the Birth of Civilisation
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook trace the eight‑thousand‑year saga of wine, from its prehistoric roots in the Georgian hi…
Bridging Rome to medieval Europe.
Late Antiquity & Early Middle Ages
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Dawn of the Samurai: Bloodbath at the Bridge (Part 2)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their multi‑part series on the rise of the samurai, focu…
EpisodeRIHC: Ancient Iran, Cyrus the Great, and Persian Nationalism
This bonus episode of The Rest Is History features Tom Holland interviewing Professor Ali Ansari about how post‑revolutionary Iran has trea…
EpisodeRIHC: Corrupt US Presidents, Wartime Prime Ministers, and the Birth of Byzantium
This bonus episode reunites Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook for a Rest Is History club Q&A. They open by referencing recent episodes (Sir…
EpisodeRIHC: Irish Kings, Medieval Magic, and The Norman Invasion of Ireland
This bonus episode features historian Gillian Kenny discussing the social, legal and ecclesiastical world of Ireland before the Anglo-Norma…
Crusades, kingdoms and cathedrals.
High & Late Middle Ages
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Isabella of France: The First Femme Fatale
In the third episode of the "She-Wolves of England" mini‑series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by historian Helen Castor, au…
EpisodeEleanor of Aquitaine: Lioness of England
In the second episode of the "She-Wolves of Medieval England" miniseries, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, joined by historian Helen Cast…
EpisodeEmpress Matilda: Civil War and the Fight for the Throne
In this Rest Is History Club mini‑series episode, Tom Holland welcomes historian Helen Castor to discuss the "She‑Wolves" of medieval Engla…
EpisodeDawn of the Samurai: Japan’s Greatest Warrior (Part 3)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the legendary 12th‑century clash between the warrior monk…
Renaissance, reformations and global voyages.
Early Modern & Renaissance
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Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook turn their focus to Benjamin Franklin, the only American to sign …
EpisodeEngland: God Save the King (Part 2)
In the second episode of their World Cup‑themed series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the history of Britain’s national anthem,…
EpisodeThe Netherlands: The Revolt that Made The Modern World (Part 4)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the origins and significance of the Dutch national anthem…
EpisodeBritain: God Save the King (Part 2)
In the second episode of their World Cup‑themed series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the origins of Britain’s national anthem,…
Ideas, empires and revolutions reshaping the world.
Enlightenment & Age of Revolutions
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Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook open with a dramatized reading of Alexander Hamilton’s farewell letter to his wife Eliza,…
EpisodeJefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson, the princi…
EpisodeWashington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1)
In this episode the hosts launch a new series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the colonial tax rebellion by focusing on George Washi…
EpisodeFranklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook turn their focus to Benjamin Franklin, the only American to sign …
Steam, empire and the long 19th century.
Industrial & Imperial Age (Long 19th Century)
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Brazilian Dictators and the Beautiful Game - History of the World Cup
In this middle instalment of the Rest Is History mini‑series on dictatorships and the World Cup, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore …
EpisodeThe Fascist World Cup: Mussolini's Football Dictatorship - History of the World Cup
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Dominic Sandbrook welcomes historian Paul Rouse to discuss how dictatorships have exploited footbal…
EpisodeBrazil: The Emperor’s Anthem (Part 5)
In this episode of The Rest Is History the hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook turn their attention to Brazil, using the national anthe…
EpisodeSouth Africa: Mandela and the Death of Apartheid (Part 6)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the extraordinary political significance of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Sou…
Total war, upheaval and the uneasy peace between.
World Wars & Inter-war Era
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The Fascist World Cup: Mussolini's Football Dictatorship - History of the World Cup
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Dominic Sandbrook welcomes historian Paul Rouse to discuss how dictatorships have exploited footbal…
EpisodeRIHC: Was the First World War More Important than the Second?
In this bonus episode of Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook step away from their regular medieval queens series to run thro…
EpisodeThe First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4)
In this episode of The Rest Is History Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook recount the extraordinary life and death of British nurse Edith Ca…
EpisodeThe First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the disastrous Gallipoli Campaign of 1915, a bold but ill‑fated attempt by Winsto…
Superpower stand-offs and post-war recovery.
Mid-20th Century & Cold War
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Brazilian Dictators and the Beautiful Game - History of the World Cup
In this middle instalment of the Rest Is History mini‑series on dictatorships and the World Cup, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland explore …
EpisodeBritain in the 70s: Scandal in Downing Street (Part 3)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the turbulent mid‑1970s in Britain, focusing on the cultural shockwaves of David …
EpisodeBritain in the 70s: The Bailout from Hell (Part 4)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the political and economic turmoil that engulfed Britain in 1976, focusing on Pri…
EpisodeBritain in the 70s: The Rise of Thatcher (Part 1)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the turbulent politics of mid‑1970s Britain, focusing on …
Globalisation, technology and the present day.
Contemporary Era (Post-1991)
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USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook launch a six‑part series timed with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, using national anthems to ex…
EpisodeBritain: God Save the King (Part 2)
In the second episode of their World Cup‑themed series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the origins of Britain’s national anthem,…
EpisodeSouth Africa: Mandela and the Death of Apartheid (Part 6)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the extraordinary political significance of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Sou…
EpisodeTom Holland Meets Paul McCartney
In this special Rest Is History episode, host Tom Holland sits down with legendary musician Paul McCartney to discuss McCartney’s new album…
Cross-era specials, biographies and deep dives.
Thematic / Biographical series
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Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook open with a dramatized reading of Alexander Hamilton’s farewell letter to his wife Eliza,…
EpisodeJefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson, the princi…
EpisodeThe First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4)
In this episode of The Rest Is History Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook recount the extraordinary life and death of British nurse Edith Ca…
EpisodeThe First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the disastrous Gallipoli Campaign of 1915, a bold but ill‑fated attempt by Winsto…