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The Rest is History: The Official Book from the Makers of the Hit Podcast
Make room Herodotus, stand down Bede, pipe down Pepys... there's a new history book in town.
From the chart-topping podcast The Rest is History, a whistle-stop tour through the past - from Alexander the Great to Tolkein, the Wars of the Roses to Watergate. The nation's favourite historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook take on the most curious moments in history, answering the questions we didn't even think to ask:
- Did the Trojan War actually happen?
- What was the most disastrous party in history?
- Was Richard Nixon more like Caligula or Claudius?
- How did a hair appointment almost blow Churchill's cover?
- Why did the Nazis believe they were descended from Atlantis?
Whether it is sending historical figures to Casa Amor in a series of Love Island, ranking history's most famous eunuchs and pigeons (including Winky, the unsung hero of the Second World War), or debating the meaning of greatness, there is nothing too big or too small for Tom and Dominic to unpick. So run your Egyptian milk bath, strap up your best Spartan sandals, and prepare for a journey down the highways and byways of the human past...
From the chart-topping podcast The Rest is History, a whistle-stop tour through the past - from Alexander the Great to Tolkein, the Wars of the Roses to Watergate. The nation's favourite historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook take on the most curious moments in history, answering the questions we didn't even think to ask:
- Did the Trojan War actually happen?
- What was the most disastrous party in history?
- Was Richard Nixon more like Caligula or Claudius?
- How did a hair appointment almost blow Churchill's cover?
- Why did the Nazis believe they were descended from Atlantis?
Whether it is sending historical figures to Casa Amor in a series of Love Island, ranking history's most famous eunuchs and pigeons (including Winky, the unsung hero of the Second World War), or debating the meaning of greatness, there is nothing too big or too small for Tom and Dominic to unpick. So run your Egyptian milk bath, strap up your best Spartan sandals, and prepare for a journey down the highways and byways of the human past...
522 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 26, 2023
About the author
Tom Holland
88 books2,717 followersTom Holland is an English historian and author. He has written many books, both fiction and non-fiction, on many subjects from vampires to history.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Holland was born near Oxford and brought up in the village of Broadchalke near Salisbury, England. He obtained a double first in English and Latin at Queens' College, Cambridge, and afterwards studied shortly for a PhD at Oxford, taking Lord Byron as his subject, before interrupting the post graduate studies and moving to London.
He has adapted Herodotus, Homer, Thucydides and Virgil for BBC Radio 4. His novels, including Attis and Deliver Us From Evil, mostly have a supernatural and horror element as well as being set in the past. He is also the author of three highly praised works of history, Rubicon, Persian Fire and Millennium.
He is on the committee of the Society of Authors and the Classical Association.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Holland was born near Oxford and brought up in the village of Broadchalke near Salisbury, England. He obtained a double first in English and Latin at Queens' College, Cambridge, and afterwards studied shortly for a PhD at Oxford, taking Lord Byron as his subject, before interrupting the post graduate studies and moving to London.
He has adapted Herodotus, Homer, Thucydides and Virgil for BBC Radio 4. His novels, including Attis and Deliver Us From Evil, mostly have a supernatural and horror element as well as being set in the past. He is also the author of three highly praised works of history, Rubicon, Persian Fire and Millennium.
He is on the committee of the Society of Authors and the Classical Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 7, 2023
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are drunk. Or at least, I assume they were drunk when they came up with the wonderfully random list of topics that became The Rest is History: The Book Not the Podcast (I came up with the subtitle myself).
Do you want to know who the best Australian Prime Minister? How about the worst dinner parties ever? What was St. Patrick's deal? How ridiculous is The Da Vinci Code? All of this information can be yours just by reading this fever dream of a history book. I laughed nearly every page. I learned nearly every page. If you have a sense of humor then this book is for you. If you kind of like history but get sleepy when you try to read it, then this is definitely for you.
Their list of the best dogs is absolute rubbish, though. Gelert is number one and it's not even close.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and PublicAffairs.)
Do you want to know who the best Australian Prime Minister? How about the worst dinner parties ever? What was St. Patrick's deal? How ridiculous is The Da Vinci Code? All of this information can be yours just by reading this fever dream of a history book. I laughed nearly every page. I learned nearly every page. If you have a sense of humor then this book is for you. If you kind of like history but get sleepy when you try to read it, then this is definitely for you.
Their list of the best dogs is absolute rubbish, though. Gelert is number one and it's not even close.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and PublicAffairs.)
June 30, 2024
Good information but it just tried too hard to be cute.
October 24, 2023
I'll start the review by admitting I am a MASSIVE fan of The Rest is History podcast so I was very excited to see a sample of the book, and it certainly didn't disappoint.
Those of us who are regular listeners will recognise some of the material as having been covered in the podcasts but that was fine by me - for example, I (very unexpectedly) loved the episode about pigeons and was really pleased to see it appear here. All sorts of subjects have been covered which I wouldn't expect to be particularly interested in normally but by the end I'm always hooked and it's the same with the book. It helps that both Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland are not only excellent communicators when they're discussing history, but both write superb books and that's reflected here. I particularly enjoyed guessing which of them was responsible for which section - I have my suspicions.
The writing style is very readable and very funny, with bite size chapters meaning it's a book you can pick up and open at random and always find something interesting. I'm less disciplined than that though - I have ordered the book (arriving today!) and know I will complete it in one sitting. It's a perfect book to buy as a gift too, for all sorts of ages. Hopefully this will be the first of many!
#TheRestisHistory #NetGalley
Those of us who are regular listeners will recognise some of the material as having been covered in the podcasts but that was fine by me - for example, I (very unexpectedly) loved the episode about pigeons and was really pleased to see it appear here. All sorts of subjects have been covered which I wouldn't expect to be particularly interested in normally but by the end I'm always hooked and it's the same with the book. It helps that both Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland are not only excellent communicators when they're discussing history, but both write superb books and that's reflected here. I particularly enjoyed guessing which of them was responsible for which section - I have my suspicions.
The writing style is very readable and very funny, with bite size chapters meaning it's a book you can pick up and open at random and always find something interesting. I'm less disciplined than that though - I have ordered the book (arriving today!) and know I will complete it in one sitting. It's a perfect book to buy as a gift too, for all sorts of ages. Hopefully this will be the first of many!
#TheRestisHistory #NetGalley
August 8, 2024
Missed a lot of the British references. Would be better if you’re familiar with current UK culture and politics.
March 30, 2024
Terrific collection of unrelated snippets from history.
July 17, 2024
Entertaining in places but not in depth enough to be educational
February 10, 2024
Not sure what I was expecting, but I don't see what the point of this book is when it's more or less just abridged episodes of the podcast written down. Money I suppose.
November 10, 2023
I've been listening to the podcast for a few years now, and I have read books by Sandbrook and by Holland. I enjoy the podcast, I have learned a lot from the books. This book, however, seems to combine the laddishness of the podcast with almost none of the fascinating history in the books. There's an attempt at humor in practically every line and if the history has to take a back seat to the Dad jokes, so be it.
There's no order in the book, so that a World War II story follows a medieval account, and is followed by an imaginary World Cup of the Gods. There are phony interviews with historical figures, more sports-like match-ups, top ten lists, and many references to TV shows and celebrities. It's pretty entertaining, but not terribly informative.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.
There's no order in the book, so that a World War II story follows a medieval account, and is followed by an imaginary World Cup of the Gods. There are phony interviews with historical figures, more sports-like match-ups, top ten lists, and many references to TV shows and celebrities. It's pretty entertaining, but not terribly informative.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.
April 27, 2024
This probably seemed like a good idea. The Rest is History is a very popular podcast - now closing in on 500 episodes. Its strengths are the banter between presenters Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland allied to a base in bringing history to a wider audience.
But what works aurally doesn't work on the printed page. Instead of multiple episodes devoted to a particular topic or person, we get lists of sightings of the Loch Ness monster, and top 10 lists of eunuchs, What Ifs and disastrous parties. The banter between the presenters is replaced by schoolboy gags and it all seems terribly forced.
Given the success of the podcast, I can understand why they thought a book would build the brand. But, sadly, it doesn't. Stick to the podcast, lads.
But what works aurally doesn't work on the printed page. Instead of multiple episodes devoted to a particular topic or person, we get lists of sightings of the Loch Ness monster, and top 10 lists of eunuchs, What Ifs and disastrous parties. The banter between the presenters is replaced by schoolboy gags and it all seems terribly forced.
Given the success of the podcast, I can understand why they thought a book would build the brand. But, sadly, it doesn't. Stick to the podcast, lads.
April 27, 2024
Irreverent and firmly tongue-in-cheek, this look at history spans the periods between Cyrus of Persia and Margaret Thatcher of the U. K., and other assorted personages … based on a popular podcast by authors Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, this book plays hopscotch with history … silly, but fun
November 30, 2023
History gamified :)
February 7, 2024
So fun, so accessible! Let’s make all non fiction books just a little bit goofy going forward!
July 15, 2024
Very entertaining
July 19, 2024
Absolutely hilarious!!!! Loved it!!! Can't wait for the second one.
March 22, 2024
The Rest is History book is - like the podcast that engendered it - a delightful miscellany of historical anecdotes, humour and hard facts. This was a Christmas present and I’ve been dipping into it on and off over the last three months. It’s definitely one of those sort of books, best enjoyed little and often, always guaranteed to surprise and amuse.
October 17, 2023
a super entertaining read
December 29, 2023
I’m a fully paid up wang, of that there can be no doubt.
This book feels like a lovely extension of the podcast and you can hear the voices of Tom and Dominic throughout. Their love of history and their excellent abilities in making that history accessible to the casual and not so casual reader is what makes them the authors of the worlds most listened to history podcast. A tour de force to be sure.
This book feels like a lovely extension of the podcast and you can hear the voices of Tom and Dominic throughout. Their love of history and their excellent abilities in making that history accessible to the casual and not so casual reader is what makes them the authors of the worlds most listened to history podcast. A tour de force to be sure.
December 31, 2023
If you listen to the podcast, you’ve already read most of the book but still a good read - and “The Real Da Vinci Code” is great fun
July 21, 2024
Really fun read with lots of topics and random information!
December 20, 2023
Goodreads crashed after I wrote 2 paragraphs sooo I’ll not do a full review again at the moment. Maybe 🤔 later grrr 😡
February 21, 2024
I am such a huge fan of The Rest is History podcast and thus am not remotely surprised that I enjoyed this book too. It's full of the same tongue-in-cheek humour, Dad jokes and creative silliness that lovers of the pod will appreciate and, just like the pod, covers a truly fascinating breadth of historical subjects. From ancient Persia to Stanley Baldwin, with Tudor succession crises and Alexander Pushkin's hidden African ancestry in between, there really is something for everyone in here.
Certainly though, some of the material works much better in audio format than on the page. There are moments where, without the nuances of Tom and Dom's dulcet tones, the distinction between historical fact and sarcastic fiction is not entirely clear, especially if you're working your way through a chapter of history with which you are unfamiliar. It's still great fun though. And the range of easily digestible formats means the book never becomes dull and formulaic.
More disappointing, however, are one or two failures of proofing / typos. Page 108 confidently tried to tell me that Edward VI died on 6th July 1533, which is 3 years before Anne Boleyn was executed and thus some time before Henry VIII had even married Edward's mother, Jane Seymour. Edward VI in fact died on the 6th July 1553.
Stunned that made it in. So I suppose my advice would be to enjoy it, learn from it, but also to cross reference any dates it gives you! Just in case...
Overall, if you're a fan of the pod, you'll probably like this very much. It fizzes with Tom and Dominic's signature enthusiasm and it is sure give you a chuckle along the way too.
Certainly though, some of the material works much better in audio format than on the page. There are moments where, without the nuances of Tom and Dom's dulcet tones, the distinction between historical fact and sarcastic fiction is not entirely clear, especially if you're working your way through a chapter of history with which you are unfamiliar. It's still great fun though. And the range of easily digestible formats means the book never becomes dull and formulaic.
More disappointing, however, are one or two failures of proofing / typos. Page 108 confidently tried to tell me that Edward VI died on 6th July 1533, which is 3 years before Anne Boleyn was executed and thus some time before Henry VIII had even married Edward's mother, Jane Seymour. Edward VI in fact died on the 6th July 1553.
Stunned that made it in. So I suppose my advice would be to enjoy it, learn from it, but also to cross reference any dates it gives you! Just in case...
Overall, if you're a fan of the pod, you'll probably like this very much. It fizzes with Tom and Dominic's signature enthusiasm and it is sure give you a chuckle along the way too.
August 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this romp through history. As usual with me, however, some of the jokes went over my head and I had to look a couple up which was a little annoying for me reading. But it was a great read, not too meaty on topics which were new to me which was good.
There was a lot of really interesting information and theories given in this book including about Atlantis, Robin Hood, and the Loch Ness Monster. I also enjoyed the top tens’ - disastrous parties, what ifs, eunuchs, and mistresses. The sections aren’t too long and give you plenty of information to go away and look up more if you want to. The sections also aren’t all formatted in the same way which keeps you on your toes and engaged as you’re reading. It’s easy to dip in and out of.
Sandbrook and Holland have obviously done their research and make huge efforts to engage the readers in a wide variety of topics. The list of topics is massively varied, and you begin to wonder what they all have in common, but I don’t think there is anything in common, except that they’re all interesting and Holland and Sandbrook can get some jokes out of them. (Note: there are a lot of jokes about Boris Johnson and 2020).
I really enjoy the podcast The Rest is History though again some of the jokes go over my head, so this is a wonderful companion. Some of the sections in this book have been covered in the podcast but that doesn’t detract at all from what is an engaging, informative, and funny romp through world history in all its forms.
There was a lot of really interesting information and theories given in this book including about Atlantis, Robin Hood, and the Loch Ness Monster. I also enjoyed the top tens’ - disastrous parties, what ifs, eunuchs, and mistresses. The sections aren’t too long and give you plenty of information to go away and look up more if you want to. The sections also aren’t all formatted in the same way which keeps you on your toes and engaged as you’re reading. It’s easy to dip in and out of.
Sandbrook and Holland have obviously done their research and make huge efforts to engage the readers in a wide variety of topics. The list of topics is massively varied, and you begin to wonder what they all have in common, but I don’t think there is anything in common, except that they’re all interesting and Holland and Sandbrook can get some jokes out of them. (Note: there are a lot of jokes about Boris Johnson and 2020).
I really enjoy the podcast The Rest is History though again some of the jokes go over my head, so this is a wonderful companion. Some of the sections in this book have been covered in the podcast but that doesn’t detract at all from what is an engaging, informative, and funny romp through world history in all its forms.
December 12, 2023
"The Rest is History" is one of my favorite podcasts. This entertaining book is a collection of adaptations of episodes. I've listened to all of the podcast episodes but I still found much that was new and interesting here.
Authors Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are serious, trained historians who obviously LOVE history and having fun with history. I also appreciate that they don't seem to have a strong political agenda here. Some history books feel like re-education courses. They take various topics (such as French Presidents or the end of the Roman Empire or the history of Costa Rica) and present them as lists, tournaments, invented memos, or in many other ways. The history is unusual and educational and fun. Their spoof of "The Davinci Code" is worth the purchase price alone. I snorted and chuckled the whole way through.
A couple more of my favorite moments: Australian PM Harold Holt disappeared during an ocean swim and was never seen again. There is now a "Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre" in Melbourne, which the authors compare to naming an underpass after Princess Diana. AND - King Nebuchadnezzar had a Median wife - but the authors want to be sure we know that means she's from what is modern-day Iran - not that she's an average one.
The book is certainly funny, but I have great confidence that the history is legit. If you enjoy history I'd recommend this whole-heartedly.
Authors Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are serious, trained historians who obviously LOVE history and having fun with history. I also appreciate that they don't seem to have a strong political agenda here. Some history books feel like re-education courses. They take various topics (such as French Presidents or the end of the Roman Empire or the history of Costa Rica) and present them as lists, tournaments, invented memos, or in many other ways. The history is unusual and educational and fun. Their spoof of "The Davinci Code" is worth the purchase price alone. I snorted and chuckled the whole way through.
A couple more of my favorite moments: Australian PM Harold Holt disappeared during an ocean swim and was never seen again. There is now a "Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre" in Melbourne, which the authors compare to naming an underpass after Princess Diana. AND - King Nebuchadnezzar had a Median wife - but the authors want to be sure we know that means she's from what is modern-day Iran - not that she's an average one.
The book is certainly funny, but I have great confidence that the history is legit. If you enjoy history I'd recommend this whole-heartedly.
November 27, 2023
⭐️⭐️💫- {THE REST IS HISTORY- Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland}
Ok this is not at all what I was expecting and it started with me figuring out far too late that the author Tom Holland was not in fact the famous actor Tom Holland which is the whole reason I requested this book to begin with! 😐 Setting my disappointment aside, I began working my way through what promised to be humorous takes on major moments in human history told by the famous podcasters Dominic Sandbrook and (surprise surprise)Tom Holland but not Spiderman Tom Holland or dating the famous actress Zendaya Tom Holland.
Maybe this book was funny but if it was it went way over my head. I thought I was a history lover but apparently I don’t know as much as I needed in order to be able to appreciate the humor. So if you are a history buff or enjoy these twos famous podcast “The Rest is History” then go for it. If not pick an easier read.
Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Ok this is not at all what I was expecting and it started with me figuring out far too late that the author Tom Holland was not in fact the famous actor Tom Holland which is the whole reason I requested this book to begin with! 😐 Setting my disappointment aside, I began working my way through what promised to be humorous takes on major moments in human history told by the famous podcasters Dominic Sandbrook and (surprise surprise)Tom Holland but not Spiderman Tom Holland or dating the famous actress Zendaya Tom Holland.
Maybe this book was funny but if it was it went way over my head. I thought I was a history lover but apparently I don’t know as much as I needed in order to be able to appreciate the humor. So if you are a history buff or enjoy these twos famous podcast “The Rest is History” then go for it. If not pick an easier read.
Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 31, 2023
3.75/5 stars. It was a gift and not the sort of book I'd normally buy myself, however I have listened to The Rest is History podcast quite a bit over the years.
A fairly casual and entertaining look at a wide range of historical topics. There are quite a few references to things from the podcast or that the hosts did on Twitter like the 'world cup of british monarchs'. Covers a wide range of topics across history, lots of different places and times. I did skip some of the stuff though, mainly when it tried to do historical figures in the style of a tv show such as the Tudors in the style of Succession or a historical Love Island as I haven't seen these shows.
Overall if you find it discounted it might be worth a read or be a decent gift. As far as these casual podcast based books go I enjoyed it a lot more than the History Hit Miscellany as I thought it was better written, more entertaining and a lot more in-depth on it's topics. .
A fairly casual and entertaining look at a wide range of historical topics. There are quite a few references to things from the podcast or that the hosts did on Twitter like the 'world cup of british monarchs'. Covers a wide range of topics across history, lots of different places and times. I did skip some of the stuff though, mainly when it tried to do historical figures in the style of a tv show such as the Tudors in the style of Succession or a historical Love Island as I haven't seen these shows.
Overall if you find it discounted it might be worth a read or be a decent gift. As far as these casual podcast based books go I enjoyed it a lot more than the History Hit Miscellany as I thought it was better written, more entertaining and a lot more in-depth on it's topics. .
November 13, 2023
This is such a fun book, which, if you enjoy the podcast you will certainly also love If you don't listen to the podcast already - and love history - then you certainly need to give it a listen. Both Dominic Sandbrook and Dr Tom Holland are great authors individually, but together they are also a lot of fun.
The book is a greatly enjoyable romp through an assortment of - mostly light-hearted - historical topics. These range from eight reasons why Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar, through Jeremy Thorpe political - and personal - scandals, along with musings on the top ten mistresses in history, a look at Rasputin's autopsy, considering whether the Emperor Nero was the worst person in history and why Julius Caesar was murdered and rates the World Cup of Gods.
This should make its way into many Christmas stockings this year - a joyful and humorous gift for history lovers.
The book is a greatly enjoyable romp through an assortment of - mostly light-hearted - historical topics. These range from eight reasons why Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar, through Jeremy Thorpe political - and personal - scandals, along with musings on the top ten mistresses in history, a look at Rasputin's autopsy, considering whether the Emperor Nero was the worst person in history and why Julius Caesar was murdered and rates the World Cup of Gods.
This should make its way into many Christmas stockings this year - a joyful and humorous gift for history lovers.
January 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this irreverent history compendium. I liked that it covered so many varied topics from the Roman Empire to Australian Prime Ministers. I learnt loads of new things and I liked the style and how it did not take itself seriously. The part that was a parody of The Da Vinci Code was genius.
The style was good and it was very entertaining and also gave a balanced view, I find modern books that try to be popular entertaining history annoying because they want to be very heavy handed with some messages and want to say that e.g. Winston Churchill was a terrible person as a way or virtue signalling, but this not the case here, the Churchill chapter was good and fair and this is true of the whole book.
The style was good and it was very entertaining and also gave a balanced view, I find modern books that try to be popular entertaining history annoying because they want to be very heavy handed with some messages and want to say that e.g. Winston Churchill was a terrible person as a way or virtue signalling, but this not the case here, the Churchill chapter was good and fair and this is true of the whole book.
August 10, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a bit silly and quite fun. I very much enjoy the podcast but it doesn't come across as well in the written form. However, it does make history accessible to those who may not choose to read a whole book on one topic as it offers bite-sized pieces from different times and places. I laughed a lot at the chapter recreating Dan Brown's novels. I love British humour in general - it's always a laugh to poke fun at those who take themselves a tad too seriously.
There was even a chapter on Australian Prime Ministers, which I was not expecting. We don't rate a mention too often, unless it is to speak of convicts. And yes, the irony of the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre was pointed out.
This was a bit silly and quite fun. I very much enjoy the podcast but it doesn't come across as well in the written form. However, it does make history accessible to those who may not choose to read a whole book on one topic as it offers bite-sized pieces from different times and places. I laughed a lot at the chapter recreating Dan Brown's novels. I love British humour in general - it's always a laugh to poke fun at those who take themselves a tad too seriously.
There was even a chapter on Australian Prime Ministers, which I was not expecting. We don't rate a mention too often, unless it is to speak of convicts. And yes, the irony of the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre was pointed out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews