The Rest Is History

Latest Episodes:

655. The Ku Klux Klan: Terror in the South (Part 2) Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

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 freedmen, as well as their final destruction…

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

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Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

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654. The Ku Klux Klan: The Rise of Evil (Part 1) Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

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 ideology and structure, and the abominable treatment of freedmen in the Confederacy South, following the American Civil War.

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/restishistory.

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Twitter:
@TheRestHistory
@holland_tom
@dcsandbrook
Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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653. London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4) Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

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…

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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652. London’s Golden Age: The Ghosts of Culloden (Part 3) Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

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 funny adventures in the Highlands.

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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651. London’s Golden Age: Sex and Scandal in Georgian Britain (Part 2) Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

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 - his extraordinary adventures in 18th century London, and his encounters with three of the greatest men of the age.

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/restishistory.

Advertise with us: ⁠Partnerships@goalhanger.com⁠

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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650. London’s Golden Age: The Mad Life of Dr Johnson (Part 1) Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

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 greatest Englishmen, Samuel Johnson, and his infamous friendship with the man who immortalised him forever, in an age that changed Britain’s politics forever…

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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649. The Fall of the Incas: The Last Emperor (Part 6) Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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, drenched in blood and tragedy, in which the collision of two worlds would reverberate across time.

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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648. The Fall of the Incas: Battle for the Sacred City (Part 5) Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

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 tragic, dramatic tale of death, conquest and betrayal…

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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647. The Fall of the Incas: The King in the North (Part 4) Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

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 to fall…

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This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/restishistory.

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

646. The Fall of the Incas: Death to the Emperor (Part 3) Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

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 Incas thus far….

To listen to or watch The Book Club, go to: The Book Club

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices