The Rest Is History

By: Goalhanger
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  • Summary

  • The world’s most popular history podcast, with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.therestishistory.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Here are some of our favourite episodes to get you started: WATERGATE/NIXON apple.co/3JrVl5h ALEXANDER THE GREAT apple.co/3Q4FaNk HARDCORE HISTORY'S DAN CARLIN apple.co/3vqkGa3 PUTIN & RUSSIA apple.co/3zMtLfX
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Episodes
  • 534. Emperors of Rome: Sex Secrets of the Caesars (Part 1)

    534. Emperors of Rome: Sex Secrets of the Caesars (Part 1)
    Jan 27 2025
    The Roman historian Suetonius’ The Lives of the Caesars, written during the early imperial period of the Roman Empire, is a seminal biography covering the biographies of the early emperors of Rome, during two spectacular centuries of Roman history. Delving deep into the personal lives of the caesars and sparing no detail, no matter how prurient, pungent, explicit or salacious, it vividly captures Rome at the peak of her power, and those colourful individuals at the heart of everything. It is an unsettling yet fascinating portrait of the alien and the intimate, that sees some of history’s most famous characters revealed as almost modern men, plotting a delicate line between private and public, respectability and suspicion. From the showmanship of Augustus, the first Caesar, and his convoluted family melodramas, to Tiberius, a monster in the historical record famed for his sexual misdeeds, to Caligula, who delighted in voyeuristic moral degeneracy, and the looming shadow of Nero; all will be revealed… Join Tom and Dominic as they launch into Suetonius and the lives of Rome’s most infamous emperors, illuminating a world of sex and violence that both venerates, deifies and condemns absolute power. When the curtain is lifted, what deprivation lurks behind the majesty of Rome? And who was the real Suetonius, the man laying it all bare? Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here. _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • 534. Russian Spies, Pigeons, and The Rest Is Classified…

    534. Russian Spies, Pigeons, and The Rest Is Classified…
    Jan 24 2025
    How did a Russian spy manage to infiltrate the upper echelons of London and New York society? Was Anna Chapman really an old fashioned Russian honeytrap or was she underestimated by the world's press? What was life like for wealthy Russians in "Londongrad" in the early 21st century? The year is 2001 and the 18-year-old daughter of a Russian oligarch is partying in London. She meets a handsome young man at a warehouse rave and her passport to a new life in Western Europe glistens before her very eyes. What could possibly go wrong? Join David and Gordon as they take us back to the height of Londongrad and what happens when a Russian spy tries to infiltrate high society. To hear the full episode, search The Rest Is Classified wherever you get your podcasts or click here to discover the episode on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    15 mins
  • 533. Wojtek: The Bear Who Beat the Nazis

    533. Wojtek: The Bear Who Beat the Nazis
    Jan 23 2025
    The story of Wojtek - the bear who took on the Nazis - amidst the death and devastation of the Second World War, and more specifically Poland's heroic resistance, is a flicker of redemption amidst an otherwise deeply depressing period of history. His is a life that exemplifies not only Poland’s struggle in microcosm, but also the global nature of the war overall. Discovered by a young boy as a tiny cub, his mother dead, he was sold to Polish officers travelling to Palestine in the hills outside Tehran. The soldiers nursed and fed the young bear with milk from a vodka bottle, treating him like one of their own. Later, he was even purported to keep them warm at night, drink beer, delight in wrestling and showers, and both march and salute. When the Polish forces were finally deployed to Europe, ‘Wojtek’ as he had been named, went with them; a mascot and morale booster to the men. There he was given military rank, and actively participated in the Italian campaign, carrying ammunition and artillery crates. But with death and destruction on all sides, what would be his fate? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Wojtek, one of history’s most extraordinary animals, and his life in the army - an emblem of hope and resilience in the face of the horrors of the Second World War. _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Jack Meek Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min

What listeners say about The Rest Is History

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Profile Image for Chelle

Informative, educational and entertaining!!

I've always enjoyed the books written by Tom and Dominic so I gave the podcast a go. Best decision, I thoroughly enjoy listening to them and their guests. Really fascinating breadth of subjects and genuinely warm and witty delivery. 5 stars, would recommend!

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Profile Image for Rosie J

Please delete my last review .. its rubbish

This episode is great the narrators are excellent, funny and witty whilst informative and thought provoking. So thought provoking I triggered myself (stupidly) as my previous review is unkind and I unfortunately focused on the final minutes of speculation about potential future civil war in developed democratic nations rather than the whole piece which was great.

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Profile Image for Tsarina

does exactly what it says on the tin

This is an excellent podcast. informative, erudite, sometimes funny, and, crucially, no annoying presenters. Super.

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Profile Image for Edward

perfect podcast

so interesting and gently fun. couldn't fault it. Costa Rica my favourite country now.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Perfect podcast

Love this podcast, perfect mix of humour and learning. I listen during my weekend walks and also on holiday. Please keep them coming 👍.

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Profile Image for Polly

Wonderful!

Great subjects, music and gentle voices amazing how the listener just drifts into it. Perfect to listen to at any time.

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Profile Image for flynn

Superb episode

Sensitively told,. Incredibly moving story, I found the second half of the show very powerful

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Fabulous podcast series

I have learnt so much from these interesting, educational and entertaining podcasts. I am now officially hooked on The Rest is History. A big thank you to Messrs Sandbrook and Holland for making history accessible and fun.

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Profile Image for L A Le Tissier

Recent convert to historical study

This podcast is such an excellent and thought provoking way of delving into a wide range of events both ancient and modern. Always leaves you looking for more. A virtual ‘amuse-bouche’ for a budding historian.

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Great Storytelling

Brings history to life. It’s full of humorous stories. I just wanted to say how great this podcast is, but it’s making me write a whole 15 words!

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