The Rest Is History

This episode examines the convergence of two pivotal moments in British history on December 1st, 1976: the climax of the IMF bailout crisis under Prime Minister Jim Callaghan, and the Sex Pistols' infamous Bill Grundy interview that launched punk into the national consciousness. Callaghan masterfully managed a deeply divided cabinet to accept painful spending cuts in exchange for a $4 billion IMF loan, while the economic backdrop of unemployment and national decline provided the fertile ground for punk rock to emerge.

This episode covers Britain's tumultuous mid-1970s, focusing on Harold Wilson's resignation as Prime Minister, the economic crisis under Chancellor Denis Healey, and the subsequent Labour leadership contest won by Jim Callaghan. The episode also explores the cultural backdrop of the era, including IRA bombings, the rise of punk, and the infamous 'lavender list' honours scandal.

This episode examines Britain in 1975, focusing on Harold Wilson's political struggles with a near-impossible economic crisis featuring 25% inflation, and the first British referendum on EEC membership. The hosts trace the history of Britain's ambivalent relationship with Europe, the campaigns for and against staying in, and the decisive 67% vote to remain.

Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook trace Margaret Thatcher's rise from her upbringing in Grantham to becoming the first female leader of the Conservative Party in February 1975. They contextualize her emergence against the backdrop of Britain's severe economic crisis, industrial unrest, and political turmoil of the early 1970s. The episode explores her character, class identity, Methodist values, and the unlikely campaign that defeated Ted Heath.

This episode concludes the story of the Genpei War, covering the fall of Lord Kiso, the naval triumph of Yoshitsune at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, and the establishment of Yoritomo's shogunate in 1192. It also explores the legendary figures of Tomoe Gozen and Yoshitsune, examining how historical fact and myth-making intertwined to shape samurai culture.

This episode continues the story of the rise of the samurai in medieval Japan, focusing on the Taira clan under Kiyomori's leadership and their struggle against the Minamoto clan. It covers the brutal political maneuvering, the first samurai to control the imperial court, and the pivotal Battle of Uji Bridge, which sets the stage for the great Genpei War.

In this clip from the Rest Is History Club's exclusive mini-series on photography and history, host Dominic and photographer Chris Floyd discuss iconic music photography, focusing on the Aladdin Sane album cover. They explore how David Bowie's image-making differed from earlier musicians like Robert Johnson and the jazz musicians of Harlem, and trace the lineage of Bowie's iconic lightning bolt from the Templar Christian Brotherhood through Elvis Presley.

This episode covers Samuel Johnson and James Boswell's historic 1773 journey to the Scottish Hebrides, exploring their experiences from Edinburgh to the Western Isles. The hosts analyze how Johnson and Boswell documented their encounters with Highland culture, which they found was already in decline following the Battle of Culloden and Scotland's union with England.

This episode chronicles James Boswell's colorful personal life and adventures across Europe from 1762-1773, including romantic escapades, celebrity meetings with Rousseau and Voltaire, his activism for Corsican independence, and his deepening friendship with Samuel Johnson culminating in plans for their famous journey to Scotland.

The episode explores the remarkable life of Samuel Johnson, the dominant literary figure of 18th century London, focusing on his journey from poverty-stricken beginnings to celebrity status. It establishes the context for his famous meeting with James Boswell in 1763, which would lead to one of the greatest biographies in English literature.

The hosts discuss the final chapter of the Inca Empire's fall, covering the murder of Francisco Pizarro in 1541, the death of the last Inca emperor Manco through betrayal, and the eventual execution of the final Inca ruler Tupac Amaru in 1572, marking the complete Spanish conquest of Peru.

This episode covers Manco's failed rebellion against Spanish rule in Peru from 1535-1537, culminating in a massive siege of Cusco where 100,000 Incas nearly defeated a handful of Spanish conquistadors before ultimately retreating to establish an exile kingdom in Vilcabamba.

This episode covers the Spanish conquest of Cusco in 1533-1535, including the massive looting of Inca gold and silver, the installation of puppet emperor Manco, Pedro de Alvarado's disastrous invasion attempt, and the defeat of Inca generals Quisquis and Ruminyawi, setting up Spanish control over Peru.

The episode discusses Jean-François Millet's 1859 painting 'The Angelus,' which depicts two peasants pausing their potato harvest to pray at evening bell call. Despite appearing as a simple religious scene, the painting became controversial in post-revolutionary France due to its Catholic imagery.

This episode details the famous ransom of Atahualpa, where the Inca emperor filled a room with gold in exchange for his freedom, only to be executed by the Spanish conquistadors despite fulfilling his promise.

Dominic and Tabitha announce their new show 'The Book Club' launching every Tuesday, featuring discussions of classic and contemporary literature. They preview their first episode on Wuthering Heights, providing detailed analysis of the novel's plot, structure, and Emily Brontë's biographical background.

This episode details the dramatic confrontation between Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro's small force of 168 men and the Inca emperor Atahualpa near Cajamarca in November 1532. Despite being vastly outnumbered by 80,000 Inca warriors, the Spanish used deception, surprise, and superior military technology to massacre thousands of Incas and capture their emperor.

Tom Holland and Laura Cumming discuss Henry Raeburn's 'The Skating Minister,' the most famous painting in Scottish history. The painting depicts a black-silhouetted Church of Scotland minister skating on Duddingston Loch in Edinburgh, combining dignity with inherent comedy through the contrast between the minister's serious demeanor and graceful skating pose.

This episode begins a series on the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, introducing Francisco Pizarro's journey from Panama to Peru in the 1530s. The hosts establish the context of Pizarro's background in Extremadura, his early expeditions, and the discovery of Inca civilization, while also describing the Inca Empire's vast scope, unique characteristics, and the devastating civil war between brothers Huascar and Atahualpa that made it vulnerable to conquest.

This episode covers the final destruction of Carthage in 146 BC, from Cato's war propaganda through the brutal siege to the complete annihilation of the city. Despite being militarily defeated decades earlier, Carthage's economic recovery sparked Roman fears and provided the pretext for total destruction.