The Rest Is History
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook take a deep dive into history's biggest moments, from the rise and fall of the Roman Empire to the Nazi conquest of Europe. They explore the stories of history's most brutal rulers, deadly battles, and world-changing events with gripping storytelling and expert analysis. The podcast also offers a membership club with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and early access to series.
Episodes
714. King Arthur: Lancelot and the Round Table (Part 2)
Who was the real Lancelot, King Arthur’s dashing love rival from the Arthurian legends? Was he the first medieval knight? How would his relationship with Queen Guinevere come to shape romance and chivalry for centuries to come? And, was there a historical Camelot…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they divulge the tantalising true stories behind Sir Lancelot, Guinevere, and the Knights of the Round Tabl
713. King Arthur: The Once & Future King (Part 1)
What is the historical truth behind the tales of King Arthur, Britain’s greatest myth? When did these stories begin, and with whom? And, is Arthur’s apocalyptic last battle based on an English historical reality from the 15th century?
Join Tom and Dominic as they launch into one of the greatest historical mysteries of all time, and discover the truth behind the legends of King Arthur. &nbs
712. The Terror: The Fall of Robespierre (Part 6)
Why did the Terror reach unprecedented levels of bloodshed in 1794? Who was running France by this point? And, how was Robespierre finally destroyed, and dragged to the guillotine by his former allies…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they reach the terrifying, climactic conclusion to their series on the Terror, as well as the French Revolution, with the gory execution of one of its most in
711. The Terror: Killing God (Part 5)
Why did Robespierre hold a vast, eccentric festival in 1794 when The Reign of Terror was at its most frenzied? What does it reveal about his psychology and belief in the divine? And, did he really believe that the French Revolution could succeed in supplanting the Christian God?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the extraordinary spectacle of the Festival of the Supreme Being, its sini
710. The Terror: Death at the Guillotine (Part 4)
How did two of the French Revolution's leading figures, Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre, differ in their views on how to further the cause? Which scandalous conspiracy was Danton accused of being involved in that would lead him to the guillotine? And, was it true? Or the betrayal of a former ally?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the terrible destruction of one of the great titans
709. The Terror: The Execution of Marie Antoinette (Part 3)
In what conditions was Marie Antoinette - once the most glamorous woman in Europe - imprisoned for over a year, before and after the execution of King Louis XVI? Why were the French Revolutionaries divided on her own fate? And, how did she finally face the guillotine on October 16th, 1793?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss one of the most shocking moments of the French Revolution, and
708. The Terror: The Reign of Robespierre (Part 2)
Where did Maximilien Robespierre come from and what led him to rise from provincial obscurity to play a major role in the French Revolution? Why is he considered the central figure in the Reign of Terror? And how did a fastidious man opposed to violence become the chief proponent of bloodshed?
Join Tom and Dominic as they describe how Maximilien Robespierre became one of the most powerful figur
707. The Terror: How The French Revolution Collapsed Into Chaos (Part 1)
How did the infamous murder of Jean-Paul Marat, one of the great firebrands of the French Revolution, unleash the bloody Terror? Why did the clashing political factions of the Revolution escalate the fractious atmosphere in France? And, which other apocalyptic threats saw the French masses clamouring for the blood of their brothers?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the most
706. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: Storming the Citadel (Part 2)
Who was Lieutenant General Napier, the man set out to rescue the European hostages held by Emperor Tewodros II? How did he plan to attack the emperor’s fortress, Magdala? And, did they manage to successfully escape Abyssinia?
Join Dominic and Tom as they conclude the story of one of the most epic expeditions in the history of the British Empire.
Join The Rest
705. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: The Mad Emperor of Abyssinia (Part 1)
Who was Emperor Tewodros II, the colourful and controversial Emperor of Abyssinia? Why did he brutally imprison a number of British emissaries, and how did Queen Victoria respond? And, how would this spark one of the most ambitious expeditions undertaken by the British Empire…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the most extraordinary military expeditions in all world history. 
704. Roman Civil War: Master of the Republic (Part 4)
Who was Gaius Marius’ son, and how did he set out to bring down his father’s rival, Sulla? Which two rising stars in Sulla’s faction, Crassus and Pompey, would go on to bring down the Republic, with Julius Caesar? And, how did a momentous battle in the East see Sulla elevated to the master of Rome?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the climactic conclusion to the remarkable rise of one of Rome
703. Roman Civil War: Marching on the Senate (Part 3)
What shocking, unprecedented act did Sulla commit with his legions after having his ambitions frustrated once more by his bitter rival, the tribune Marius? How did Marius escape capture and death? And, would Marius retaliate…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they unfold the mounting rivalry between two Roman generals - Marius and Sulla - as they battle for ultimate control of the empire, and Sulla take
702. Roman Civil War: The Barbarian Invasion (Part 2)
What was the ancient city of Rome actually like in the first century BC? Who was Lucius Cornelius Sulla, another great, but aristocratic, Roman general who would clash with Gaius Marius in a totemic struggle termed the Social War? And, who were the terrifying Germanic tribes amassing on the borders of the empire, potentially spelling its doom…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Rome’s apocal
701. Roman Civil War: Rise of the General (Part 1)
Who was Gaius Marius, one of the two men who would shape the fate of Rome in the first century BC? Why was his road to fame, fortune, and political greatness, from total obscurity, so dangerous? And, would Marius be the man to face down the existential threat facing the empire during this period?
Join Tom and Dominic as they launch into one of the greatest struggles in the history of Rome
700. The Troubles: Bloody Sunday (Part 4)
How did Bloody Sunday erupt on the 30th of January 1972? Why did it follow on the heels of terrible violence? And, what were the consequences of that violent day?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the tragic events of Bloody Sunday, and the final attempt at peace in Northern Ireland.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*
The maddest expedition in histor
699. The Troubles: Return of the IRA (Part 3)
What was the Provisional IRA, and why did they return to the fray at the high point of The Troubles in Northern Ireland? How did a series of bloody battles, including the Short Strand Battle, brutally intensify tensions between the British Army and Catholic communities? And, how did the conflict spiral into attacks on civilians…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the violent escalation
698. The Troubles: The Brink of Civil War (Part 2)
Why did the violence of the Troubles escalate as it did in Ulster? How did a series of marches from Belfast to Derry in 1969 result in terrible violence, and heighten the conflict? And, which terrible events saw the British army cross the border to intervene?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the next tumultuous stage of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: T
697. The Troubles: Murder in Belfast (Part 1)
How did the Troubles break out in Northern Ireland in the 1960s, and how far back does the dispute really go? Why did the conflict intensify as it did? And, what did it really mean to be a Catholic in Northern Ireland?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss one of the darkest and most contentious periods of British history: The Troubles.
*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Vict
696. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: Killing the Queen of Scots (Part 6)
How did the Babington Plot, another Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth I and replace her with the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots, unfold? Did the Spanish help her? How did Sir Francis Walsingham and his web of spies foil the plot? And, what would become of Mary once put on trial?
Join Tom and Dominic for the dramatic conclusion to their mighty series on the most climatic period of the
695. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Shadow War (Part 5)
Who was the charismatic Sir Philip Sidney, a beloved but also suspect courtier to Elizabeth I? Why, in 1585, was England in such danger from a Spanish invasion? And, would Sydney, with his friend Sir Francis Drake, help to save their beloved queen?
Join Tom and Dominic as they plunge into the high point of the Tudor Cold War: with Philip II brooding on war in Spain, Holland ablaze, and religiou
694. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Treacherous Conspiracy (Part 4)
After ransacking Spanish treasure ships, would Elizabeth I betray Sir Francis Drake to her enemies? Who did she back in the French civil wars? And, with the help of English conspirators, would Mary Queen of Scots, incur a Spanish invasion, and see her rival Elizabeth assassinated?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Sir Francis Drake’s return to England, revolts in Europe, Catholic
693. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: England’s Greatest Hero (Part 3)
Why is Sir Francis Drake enshrined as one of England’s greatest heroes? Where did he come from, and how did he rise to prominence and earn the adoration of Elizabeth I, from obscure poverty? And, why is he also such a controversial figure…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they sail into the remarkable life and adventures of Sir Francis Drake. From his controversial piracy, and his explorations around t
692. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)
What inspired the deadliest bloodbath of the Tudor age: the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572, in which protestants were slaughtered en masse? How did it drive Elizabeth I’s spy master, Francis Walsingham, to repress all treasonous activity in her realm? And, what terrible treason was brewing in Rome…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, Sir F
691. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Queen’s Spymaster (Part 1)
How did Elizabeth I rule England? Why was she constantly in mortal peril in 1569? Who was Sir William Cecil, and why was he so crucial to her reign? And, how did his network of spies keep her alive, and England uninvaded…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the secret war raging in the heart of Elizabeth I’s Tudor England, the religious unrest flaming throughout Europe, and Elizabeth’s
690. A Murderous Affair: Death at Mayerling (Part 2)
What really happened at the Habsburgian hunting lodge, Mayerling? Did Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, really commit a romantic murder suicide, or did the heir cold-heartedly murder the 17 year old girl? And, why did the Austrian royal family try to erase all traces of this tragic incident?
Join Dominic and Tom as they solve the mysterious tale of the Mayerling Inci
689. A Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs’ Greatest Scandal (Part 1)
What was Vienna like in the 1880s? Why was Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria seen as the outcast of the prestigious Habsburg dynasty? And, how would meeting 17 year-old Baroness Mary Vetsera on his 30th birthday change both of their lives, and the trajectory of Europe, forever?
Join Dominic and Tom as they unravel the mysterious tale that is the Mayerling Incident.
*The Rest Is History LIVE:
688. The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)
How did the second half of Odysseus’ long journey home to Ithaca play out? What does the epic’s account of the Olympian gods indicate about Ancient Greek religion? And, how did Odysseus finally make it home to Penelope and her suitors?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the dramatic conclusion of Homer’s Odyssey, and the story of Odysseus’ dreadful return…
*The Rest Is Hist
687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)
How does The Odyssey, one of the greatest stories of all time, unfold? What historical events may it be based on? And, where might Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s epic, have faced his various trials in real life?
Join Tom and Dominic as they unravel the legendary story of Homer’s Odyssey, and its historical precedents.
_______
Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspira
686. Jefferson: The Betrayal of Liberty (Part 4)
What part did Thomas Jefferson play in writing the American Declaration of Independence? Where did he come from, and how did it shape his attitude to the future of the U.S.A? And, why was he such a contentious figure?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the epic conclusion of their series delving into the lives of the men who made America, and end with the most controversial figure of them all: Th
685. Hamilton: Duel to the Death (Part 3)
How did Alexander Hamilton go from impoverished orphan to one of the most important figures in the creation of the American constitution? Why was his relationship with Thomas Jefferson so strained? And, what happened in the famous duel that would ultimately claim his life…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss one of America’s most fiery founding fathers: Alexander Hamilton, and his duel with A
684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)
Was Benjamin Franklin really an American? What was his childhood like? How was he finally converted to the American Revolutionary cause? And, what role did he play in setting the struggle in motion?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the life of the most unique of the American founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with
683. Washington: Hero of the Revolution (Part 1)
Where did George Washington come from, and what was he like? How did he come to take on such a pivotal role in the American Revolution? And, was he really central to America’s triumphant struggle for independence?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into the extraordinary life and origins of George Washington.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exc
682. South Africa: Mandela and the Death of Apartheid (Part 6)
How did the rugby World Cup final of 1995 inspire South Africa’s totemic national anthem? Why does the story shed a light on the history of Apartheid in South Africa? And, after becoming president, following years of imprisonment, how did Mandela use rugby and the national anthem to forge a new South Africa?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the inspiring story behind South Africa’s nationa
681. Brazil: The Emperor’s Anthem (Part 5)
What does the Brazilian national anthem reveal about its history of slavery and revolt? Why did the king of Portugal rule his country all the way from Rio in the 19th century? Who was the first emperor of Brazil? And, why was the second anthem a symbol of liberty?
Join Tom and Dominic as they delve into the chaotic episode of Brazilian history that resulted in its first and second national anth
680. The Netherlands: The Revolt that Made The Modern World (Part 4)
How is the Dutch national anthem, that has its origins during a 1568 siege of a French city, connected to the Dutch Revolt? What is the revolt’s role in the birth of modernity? And, why does it say ‘to the King of Spain I’ve granted a lifelong loyalty’?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the national anthem with the deepest history, the Wilhelmus.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the
The Fascist World Cup: Mussolini's Football Dictatorship | History of the World Cup
How did Benito Mussolini’s regime in the 1930s use sport to spread his ideology and prepare Italy for war? What infrastructure and propaganda strategies did he use to make the 1934 World Cup a showcase for fascism? And, did this form of propaganda actually work?
In this brand new The Rest Is History Club mini series, Dominic is joined by Paul Rouse to talk about dictatorships’ connections to f
679. Germany: The Song Hitler Stole (Part 3)
Why is the German national anthem the most controversial of all? Is it true that it is Austrian in origin? And, what happened when Germany split after the Second World War? Did it perhaps lead to an absolute banger in the form of East Germany’s new anthem..?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the history of Germany and its various different anthems.
_______
Join The Rest Is History Club: Un
678. Britain: God Save the King (Part 2)
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 for?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the creation of Britain’s legendary national anthem, God Save the King, and its mysterious composer.
_______
Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation
677. USA: The Star-Spangled Banner (Part 1)
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 they launch into the first episode of their Football World Cup special, with the story behind America’s national anthem, and its secret story.
_______
*Father’s Day discounted gift memberships
676. The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6)
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 themselves in? And, why has this failed campaign become the foundational moment of Anzac identity?
Join Dominic and Tom as they bring an end to this disastrous Gallipoli campaign and the bloody year of 1915
675. The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
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 identity of New Zealand and Australia? And, how did it transform the destiny of Turkey?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the worst military catastrophes of the First World War.
__
674. The First World War: The Spy Who Took on the Germans (Part 4)
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 controversially?
Join Dominic and Tom as they unfold the life of the remarkable Edith Cavell, her time as a nurse, her espionage, and ultimately her tragic fate, amidst the death and destruction of the First Worl
673. The First World War: The Submarine Strikes (Part 3)
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 the United States’ decision to finally join the War in 1917?
Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the most cataclysmic events of the First World War, and a major turning point for America’
672. The First World War: Italy’s Doomed Campaign (Part 2)
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 the entire war?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss Italy’s entrance into the War, their disastrous efforts to carve out a corner of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the terrible aftermath of this
Empress Matilda: Civil War and the Fight for the Throne
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 the throne of England, in the brutal civil war known as The Anarchy?
In this new member’s-only mini series, Tom is joined by historian and author Helen Castor, to talk about some of the most impressiv
671. The First World War: Blood in the Trenches (Part 1)
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 secret weapon did the Germans unleash?
Join Dominic and Tom as they plunge back into the First World War, and carry us through life in the trenches, the horrors of shelling, and the escalation of this
670. Tom Holland Meets Paul McCartney
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 Holland as he asks Paul McCartney these questions and more in a very special interview for The Rest Is History which features a WORLD EXCLUSIVE reveal of one of the songs from Paul’s new album, Salesman
669. Greece vs. Persia: The Battle of Marathon (Part 2)
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 as they discuss the terrible Battle of Marathon, and its aftermath.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early
668. Greece vs Persia: The Rise of the First Superpower (Part 1)
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 and Dominic as they launch into one of the most cataclysmic clashes in all ancient history: Persia’s invasion of Greece.
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – wi
667. The Mystery of the Mona Lisa
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 woman in the painting…?
Join Dominic and Tom as they unfold the secret history behind the world’s most famous painting, and delve into the story behind its creator and creation.
Join The Rest Is
666. Wine and the Birth of Civilisation
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 - the most controversial incident in the history of wine?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the long history of wine; from ancient Jordan, to Bronze Age Greece, to the Vikings, and beyond…
Joi
665. Britain in the 70s: The Bailout from Hell (Part 4)
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 greatest financial scandal in British history?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the epic conclusion of their dramatic series on the most uproarious years of the 1970s in Britain, including the high poi
664. Britain in the 70s: Scandal in Downing Street (Part 3)
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 1975? And, with inflation reaching unprecedented heights, would the government finally act?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss one of the greatest crisis points in modern British history.
_______
663. Britain in the 70s: The Brexit That Never Was (Part 2)
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 Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the trials of Harold Wilson, as the melee of 1970s Britain rolled on.
_______
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive
662. Britain in the 70s: The Rise of Thatcher (Part 1)
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 they launch into the dramas, calamities, and triumphs of Thatcher’s rise to power, in 1970s Britain.
_______
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclus
661. Dawn of the Samurai: The Shōgun Triumphant (Part 4)
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 become the masters of Japan?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the climactic conclusion of their journey into the rise of the Samurai.
_______
Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the ful
660. Dawn of the Samurai: Japan’s Greatest Warrior (Part 3)
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 decisive victory in all of Samurai history?
Join Tom and Dominic as they delve deeper into the origin, rise, and triumph of the mighty Samurai, in 12th century Japan.
_______
Join The Rest Is
659. Dawn of the Samurai: Bloodbath at the Bridge (Part 2)
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
What made the Samurai such elite warriors? How did the Minamoto clan seize co
658. Dawn of the Samurai: The Shadow of the Sword (Part 1)
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
When did the Samurai come into being? How did they go from being provincial o
657. The Ku Klux Klan: American Fascists (Part 4)
After resurrecting in 1915, how did the Ku Klux Klan make its move on the next major American election? What was the role of women in the Klan? And, would this violent organisation finally meet its reckoning?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the tragic climax of their exploration into the rise and fall of the Ku Klux Klan.
_______
This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind
656. The Ku Klux Klan: Birth of a Nation (Part 3)
How did the second incarnation of the clan, born in Georgia in 1915, grow into a seemingly indomitable nation-wide fraternal organisation, numbering millions? Who were its new targets? And, with the Klan’s momentum seemingly unstoppable and an election on the horizon, would their appalling violence be publicly condemned?
Join Tom and Dominic as they chart the second rise of the violent, tyranni
655. The Ku Klux Klan: Terror in the South (Part 2)
How and why did the terrible violence of the Ku Klux Klan escalate? What was the political context in America for their rising popularity? And, how was this first iteration of the Klan finally brought down?
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss American politics after the Civil War, the growing popularity of the Ku Klux Klan in the American south and their increasingly barbaric treatment of free
654. The Ku Klux Klan: The Rise of Evil (Part 1)
How did the three iterations of the Ku Klux Klan come into being in 1866, 1915, and the late 1940s? What was the impact of the American Civil War and the Abolition of slavery in 1863 on the rise of this terrifying institution? And, what was the condition of the former slaves in the American South?
Join Dominic and Tom as they unfold the history behind the formation of the first Ku Klux Klan, its
653. London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4)
Who did Samuel Johnson fall in love with towards the end of his life, and why did it break his heart? How did it enrage his old friend James Boswell? And, why did he fear imprisonment in an asylum…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the fascinating, but devastating conclusion of the life of one of Britain’s greatest men, and the completion of his immortality…
Advertise with us: Partnership
652. London’s Golden Age: The Ghosts of Culloden (Part 3)
What adventures occurred during Samuel Johnson and James Boswell’s journey into the heart of Scotland? How was their trip a gateway to the history of Scotland’s union with England in 1707? And, was Dr Johnson embroiled in the bloody Battle of Culloden…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they travel into Scotland’s dark history, alongside Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, and discuss their fascinating and
651. London’s Golden Age: Sex and Scandal in Georgian Britain (Part 2)
Why was London such a cauldron of sexual scandal and political tumult in the 18th century? What licentious escapades did the infamous Scottish nobleman, James Boswell, get up to there? And, how did his legendary first meeting with the renowned wit Samuel Johnson, unfold?
Join Tom and Dominic, as they delve into the tumultuous, salacious life of James Boswell - the ultimate celebrity hunter -
650. London’s Golden Age: The Mad Life of Dr Johnson (Part 1)
Who was Samuel Johnson, the dominant literary celebrity of 18th century London and the man who wrote the Dictionary? Why did his friendship with James Boswell, a sex and celebrity obsessed, but very talented writer, flourish? And, how does this titanic friendship open a window onto Georgian Britain; from slavery to the politics of the day?
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss one of history’s
649. The Fall of the Incas: The Last Emperor (Part 6)
With the Incan emperor on the run, and the Spanish divided, what atrocities would unfold in the final phase of this brutal conquest? Who would triumph, Francisco Pizarro or his brutal former partner Diego de Almagro? And how would the once mighty Incas, finally fall…?
Join Dominic and Tom for the epic conclusion of one of the most epic stories in all of world history: a hunt for gold and glory,
648. The Fall of the Incas: Battle for the Sacred City (Part 5)
Three years into the conquest of the Incas, how did the Spaniards respond to the Incan uprising, lead by their puppet emperor Manco? How did the despicable behaviour of Pizarro and his men spark the rebellion? And, how would the terrifying assault of Manco and his Incan warriors, on a stranded contingent of Spaniards, play out…?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they reach the thrilling climax of this
647. The Fall of the Incas: The King in the North (Part 4)
How did the Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro take advantage of the Incan civil War? Were they able to discover the glorious city of Cusco, with all of its riches? And, what terrible brutalities did they commit along the way…?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they discuss the next dramatic phase of the Spaniards conquest of the Incas, as the violence escalates and the city of gold prepares
646. The Fall of the Incas: Death to the Emperor (Part 3)
What happened to the emperor of the Incas after he was taken prisoner by the Spanish conquistadors? Did the formidable buccaneer, Francisco Pizarro, and his men succeed in discovering the treasure troves of the Incas? And, could the Incan empire stand united against this terrifying, alien invasion…?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they charge into the bloodiest moment of the whole conquest of the Inc
645. The Fall of the Incas: Massacre in the Andes (Part 2)
What happened when the Spanish conquistadors lead by Francisco Pizarro came face to face with the ruthless emperor of the Incan Empire, Atahualpa? How did the Incas treat their strange, pale, alien visitors with their horses? And, why did a brutal, bloody fight to the death break out between the two sides after the meeting?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they discuss one of the most totemic meetings
644. The Fall of the Incas: Empire of Gold (Part 1)
Why was the Spanish conquest of the Incas one of the most pivotal moments in world history? Who was Francisco Pizarro, the buccaneer behind this bloody event? And, what was the glittering Incan Empire like?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they launch into a tale of horror, adventure, and terrible violence, which would see a mighty civilisation brought to its knees by alien invaders. As Pizarro and h
643. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage Destroyed (Part 4)
Three decades after the defeat of Hannibal, how had the Roman Empire managed to conquer vast swathes of the known world? Why did the predatory eyes of this terrifying behemoth turn once more to Carthage? And, could this mighty city defy the odds and repel Rome one last time…?
Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the climactic, final phase of the Punic Wars; the greatest military struggle of all a
642. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Bloodbath in Africa (Part 3)
Would the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio successfully march on Africa? What happened when Hannibal and Scipio - the greatest commanders of their age - came head to head at the Battle of Zama, in the ultimate showdown? And, what would be the fate of these two titans of the ancient world?
Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the Roman Republic’s audacious invasion of North Africa under
641. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Hannibal’s Nemesis (Part 2)
What happened at the Battle of Ibera, a totemic though overlooked battle of the Punic Wars? With the forces of Carthage closing in on a depleted Rome, would a young Roman, Publius Cornelius Scipio resurrect the fortunes of the Republic? And, could he destroy Carthage’s most crucial power base in Europe?
Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss this next phase of the Carthaginian Wars.
_______
640. Rome’s Greatest Enemy: Carthage at the Gates (Part 1)
Did Hannibal march on Rome after his legendary victory at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC? How could Rome fight on after losing so many men? And, where would their next cataclysmic clash take place…?
Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the beginning of the end for the once mighty city of Carthage, and her masterful general, Hannibal Barca.
_______
To hear our previous series on the rise of
639. Revolution in Iran: Death in the Desert (Part 4)
How did America respond after the American Embassy in Tehran was seized, and American citizens taken hostage? Would the hostages survive? And, what became of the Iranian Revolution, and Ayatollah Khomeini?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they unfold the climactic conclusion to the Iranian Revolution, and America’s attempts to bring its hostages home.
_______
Become a member today and join us a
638. Revolution in Iran: The Hostage Crisis (Part 3)
Why and how was the American Embassy stormed in 1979, at the height of the Iranian Revolution? Did America respond when large numbers of American civil servants were taken hostage? And, would a science fiction film called Argo save the only 6 Americans able to escape…?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they discuss the defining event of the Iranian Revolution: the invasion of the American Embassy on th
637. Revolution in Iran: Rise of the Ayatollah (Part 2)
What set off the final uprisings of the Iranian Revolution, against the last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi? Would President Jimmy Carter and America back the Shah’s forbidding opponent, the firebrand, Ayatollah Khomeini? And, why would the Revolution prove to be one of the most pivotal events in recent history?
Join Dominic and Tom, as they discuss the final fall of Iran’s last Shah, Amer
