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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Why Is Christopher Nolan's Odyssey Controversial?
In this episode Tom Holland welcomes classicist Daniel Mendelsohn back to discuss the upcoming Christopher Nolan adaptation of the Odyssey.…
EpisodeThe Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)
In this episode of The Rest Is History the hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their deep‑dive into Homer's Odyssey. After rec…
EpisodeRIHC: 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…
Classical worlds from Mesopotamia to Rome.
Ancient Civilisations & Classical Antiquity
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Tom Holland Meets Tom Holland + The Odyssey Review
In this Rest Is History members‑only special, the host (Dominic Sandbrook) interviews actor Tom Holland about Christopher Nolan’s new adapt…
EpisodeWhy Is Christopher Nolan's Odyssey Controversial?
In this episode Tom Holland welcomes classicist Daniel Mendelsohn back to discuss the upcoming Christopher Nolan adaptation of the Odyssey.…
EpisodeThe Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)
In this episode of The Rest Is History the hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their deep‑dive into Homer's Odyssey. After rec…
EpisodeThe Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore Homer's epic The Odyssey, using a dramatic reading by Russell Crowe and a transla…
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: The Shōgun Triumphant (Part 4)
In this episode of The Rest Is History Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook continue their deep‑dive into the Genpei War, focusing on the dram…
Renaissance, reformations and global voyages.
Early Modern & Renaissance
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Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: Killing the Queen of Scots (Part 6)
In this sixth episode of the "Elizabeth I vs The Catholics" series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the 1586 Babington Plot, a Ca…
EpisodeElizabeth I vs The Catholics: England’s Greatest Hero (Part 3)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the complex legacy of Sir Francis Drake, the Elizabethan …
EpisodeElizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Treacherous Conspiracy (Part 4)
In this episode Tom Holland revisits Sir Francis Drake’s triumphant return from his 1577‑1580 circumnavigation and the political fallout in…
EpisodeElizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Shadow War (Part 5)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the life of Sir Philip Sidney, the quintessential Elizabe…
Ideas, empires and revolutions reshaping the world.
Enlightenment & Age of Revolutions
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Conan O'Brien on What The Founding Fathers Got Wrong
In this Rest Is History special, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook welcome American television legend Conan O'Brien to discuss the founding…
EpisodeKen Burns on Why America Really Declared Independence
In this episode of The Rest Is History, host Dominic Sandbrook welcomes documentary filmmaker Ken Burns to discuss the American Revolution.…
EpisodeHamilton: 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,…
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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The Successor to the Mayerling Murder
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook delve into the extraordinary life of Franz Nopcsa, a self‑taught Hungarian‑Transylvanian …
EpisodeA Murderous Affair: Death at Mayerling (Part 2)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook recount the tragic Mayerling affair of 1888‑89, when Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria fell …
EpisodeA Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs' Greatest Scandal (Part 1)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the tragic love affair and murder‑suicide of Crown Prince…
EpisodeBrazilian 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 …
Total war, upheaval and the uneasy peace between.
World Wars & Inter-war Era
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The Successor to the Mayerling Murder
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook delve into the extraordinary life of Franz Nopcsa, a self‑taught Hungarian‑Transylvanian …
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…
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: Italy’s Doomed Campaign (Part 2)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine Italy’s disastrous entry into the First World War in 1915…
Superpower stand-offs and post-war recovery.
Mid-20th Century & Cold War
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The Junta's Tournament: A 1978 Nightmare in Argentina - History of the World Cup
In the third and final episode of their bonus World Cup series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, joined by National Treasure Professor Pa…
EpisodeBrazilian 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: The Brexit That Never Was (Part 2)
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine Britain’s turbulent mid‑1970s, focusing on Harold Wilson’s precarious second prem…
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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Tom Holland Meets Tom Holland + The Odyssey Review
In this Rest Is History members‑only special, the host (Dominic Sandbrook) interviews actor Tom Holland about Christopher Nolan’s new adapt…
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…
EpisodeUSA: 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…
Cross-era specials, biographies and deep dives.
Thematic / Biographical series
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Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 24 August 1572, a pivotal Huguenot pogrom in Paris orchestra…
EpisodeElizabeth I vs The Catholics: Killing the Queen of Scots (Part 6)
In this sixth episode of the "Elizabeth I vs The Catholics" series, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the 1586 Babington Plot, a Ca…
EpisodeElizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Shadow War (Part 5)
In this episode of The Rest Is History, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook examine the life of Sir Philip Sidney, the quintessential Elizabe…
EpisodeThe Successor to the Mayerling Murder
In this episode Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook delve into the extraordinary life of Franz Nopcsa, a self‑taught Hungarian‑Transylvanian …