There's definitely something strangely familiar and yet unique in our time in TRiH.
They could be on BBC4 or Channel4 in the early 2000s. Just quintessentially British academic straight white men, being themselves with no self censorship, political agenda, or pent up anger about something.
The kind of people we all know, but no longer exist anywhere else on normal broadcasting.
Even stranger to know that Gary Lineker is involved and hasn't interjected (yet).
Russell Hogg’s “Subject to Change” podcast is also excellent. It’s a simple format, historians talking about their books. Russell is (I think) a London-based Scottish lawyer, but he’s engaging and enthusiastic and fantastic at bringing out their stories, many weird and wonderful - Welsh witches, Byzantine eunuchs, doomed Arctic exploration and the History of Taiwan. Give it a try.
TRiH is balm and bliss in the slough that is modernity. I had read both of them before discovering the podcast, so I knew some of their foibles and stylistic quirks (and period preferences). My 1492 came in Baltimore around 2021 (so, unwittingly, I was an early-ish adopter too) and once fished, forever hooked. I proselytized my American friends and they were curious and then addicted.
What comes across is that they both appear to be, as Ed says, normal, genuinely nice men who like one another and the study of mankind in all his many forms and environs. Crooked timber is infinitely more interesting to study than sainted prigs, of whom there are few in TRiH.
What fascinates me is how they cam up with the concept, how it is made, how it interferes with their own individual careers, interests and work. And how they keep it fresh and engaging.
What I can say is that their telling of history has changed my own views about certain events and periods. To name one: the history of Ireland, especially from the Act of Union 1801 through the Famine (and the response to it), the Anglicization of Ireland in the wake of famine and Empire, Home Rule, its impact across the British Isles and then 1916 and all that.
Something else: their style makes me think of what I would have done, or felt, or how I would have reacted if I had lived at the time of the telling. It does prove as refreshing and and as terrifying as a dousing by an Atlantic winter storm.
The dynamic between Tom & Dominic is what makes it work so well. They have great 'host' chemistry which is always a joy to listen to.
Hadn't thought of TRiH as such a big export of Britishness but come to think of it, it's true that it's likely the most exposure I get to anything British in any given week.
Unrelatedly, your mention of the audience member being confused for matching the wrong face to the wrong voice makes me wonder if I got them right having never seen them in a video/live.
Very much agree, this is our best cultural export going. And the fact that it is so normal - just interesting, informative, funny, (mostly) apolitical, and with no agenda being pushed - makes the show a refreshing oasis in an otherwise depressingly toxic and fraught media landscape. Its popularity proves we do still want this kind of media which is encouraging, and as you say, is a rebuke to prevailing mainstream media producers and their ideologies.
Dom is also an astute reader of the political landscape (proving knowing history is more valuable than polling!). I remember watching the livestream of the 2024 Trump election. Dom was the only one to call it rightly and he had his sound reasons as to why. Its as if history helps you to actually see and read the times correctly... (On a side note, I wonder what the history literacy of our current crop of MPs is.)
Long may The Rest is History continue (I reckon it has a better chance of enduring than the 'Rest is Politics')
My only gripe is that since the BBC finally shook off Gary Lineker, the number of ads on the free version of TRIH has exploded from about two minutes worth to about eight. As I’m reluctant to pay him any more than I have to by becoming a paid subscriber , I’m wearing my fingers out jabbing at the side of my earbuds. People’s Postcode Lottery, how humiliating!
Hive drivel on for about two minutes, but the Uber ad is the most embarrassing, “friends are always there for you”. I wonder how much extra T&D get for reading them out personally.
Believe it or not, but I’ve only tried to listen to one episode. (I’m not the biggest podcast listener in the world). Which episode would someone recommend me to start with, to get me hooked?
I tend to like early British history and Western Europe (up until the 17th/18th century).
Out of interest, has anyone ever listened to any of the other "Rest is" podcasts? I haven't, and probably never will, partly because of the lineups and partly down to it seeming like a copy of the original. Am I wrong or?
Also found TRiH a couple of years back, around the time that Damn Interesting dried up (a loss to podcasting), certainly a must listen, love history, and as a podcast it plays well with just the right amount of hook and reward. Alas most podcasts are utter drivel, luckily my days of longer distance driving have finished….
Yes I've also been on this same journey from the start, and find that I can mention it to anyone in my circles and they will invariably know it and are often fans. I think you're right it's one of Britain's biggest and best cultural exports in the 2020s. There was a wobbly moment a few years back where they got involved in some product placement (was it to promote a film or something) and Capel Lofft came down hard on them, and they quickly mended their ways. My all time favourite is either General Gordon or the story of the Unknown Warrior. That's now annual remembrance day listening for me. The English oak coffin, the Union Jack, the crusader's sword, and that Kipling story.
There's definitely something strangely familiar and yet unique in our time in TRiH.
They could be on BBC4 or Channel4 in the early 2000s. Just quintessentially British academic straight white men, being themselves with no self censorship, political agenda, or pent up anger about something.
The kind of people we all know, but no longer exist anywhere else on normal broadcasting.
Even stranger to know that Gary Lineker is involved and hasn't interjected (yet).
Not necessarily straight, David Starkey fits the bill.
Lineker does a few cross promotions now in the ads.
Russell Hogg’s “Subject to Change” podcast is also excellent. It’s a simple format, historians talking about their books. Russell is (I think) a London-based Scottish lawyer, but he’s engaging and enthusiastic and fantastic at bringing out their stories, many weird and wonderful - Welsh witches, Byzantine eunuchs, doomed Arctic exploration and the History of Taiwan. Give it a try.
Yes he is, I've been on twice.
Taiwan episode made me really want to learn more about their history.
The Rest is History and the Ed West and James Marriott substacks. No other subscriptions necessary.
Thank you!
The Common Reader is worthwhile.
TRiH is balm and bliss in the slough that is modernity. I had read both of them before discovering the podcast, so I knew some of their foibles and stylistic quirks (and period preferences). My 1492 came in Baltimore around 2021 (so, unwittingly, I was an early-ish adopter too) and once fished, forever hooked. I proselytized my American friends and they were curious and then addicted.
What comes across is that they both appear to be, as Ed says, normal, genuinely nice men who like one another and the study of mankind in all his many forms and environs. Crooked timber is infinitely more interesting to study than sainted prigs, of whom there are few in TRiH.
What fascinates me is how they cam up with the concept, how it is made, how it interferes with their own individual careers, interests and work. And how they keep it fresh and engaging.
What I can say is that their telling of history has changed my own views about certain events and periods. To name one: the history of Ireland, especially from the Act of Union 1801 through the Famine (and the response to it), the Anglicization of Ireland in the wake of famine and Empire, Home Rule, its impact across the British Isles and then 1916 and all that.
Something else: their style makes me think of what I would have done, or felt, or how I would have reacted if I had lived at the time of the telling. It does prove as refreshing and and as terrifying as a dousing by an Atlantic winter storm.
The dynamic between Tom & Dominic is what makes it work so well. They have great 'host' chemistry which is always a joy to listen to.
Hadn't thought of TRiH as such a big export of Britishness but come to think of it, it's true that it's likely the most exposure I get to anything British in any given week.
Unrelatedly, your mention of the audience member being confused for matching the wrong face to the wrong voice makes me wonder if I got them right having never seen them in a video/live.
The Rest is History is the soundtrack to my week.
Very much agree, this is our best cultural export going. And the fact that it is so normal - just interesting, informative, funny, (mostly) apolitical, and with no agenda being pushed - makes the show a refreshing oasis in an otherwise depressingly toxic and fraught media landscape. Its popularity proves we do still want this kind of media which is encouraging, and as you say, is a rebuke to prevailing mainstream media producers and their ideologies.
Dom is also an astute reader of the political landscape (proving knowing history is more valuable than polling!). I remember watching the livestream of the 2024 Trump election. Dom was the only one to call it rightly and he had his sound reasons as to why. Its as if history helps you to actually see and read the times correctly... (On a side note, I wonder what the history literacy of our current crop of MPs is.)
Long may The Rest is History continue (I reckon it has a better chance of enduring than the 'Rest is Politics')
How about some new-listeners-start-here suggestions? Mine would be the Life of Lord Byron.
Son F, "Epic Fail", like Warhammer. I haven't tried "The Rest is History". Maybe someday. I like "Tides of History" and "The Ancients".
My only gripe is that since the BBC finally shook off Gary Lineker, the number of ads on the free version of TRIH has exploded from about two minutes worth to about eight. As I’m reluctant to pay him any more than I have to by becoming a paid subscriber , I’m wearing my fingers out jabbing at the side of my earbuds. People’s Postcode Lottery, how humiliating!
Fortunately, they're all exactly 15 seconds long, so a quick skip on Spotify gets you exactly where you want to be :)
Hive drivel on for about two minutes, but the Uber ad is the most embarrassing, “friends are always there for you”. I wonder how much extra T&D get for reading them out personally.
Afraid you just have to stump up - give the mighty LINEKER his money.
Do they still have adverts for 'Better Health'?
Oh yes!! So successful that you haven’t picked up it’s Better Help. Premium subscriber seems better and better.
Believe it or not, but I’ve only tried to listen to one episode. (I’m not the biggest podcast listener in the world). Which episode would someone recommend me to start with, to get me hooked?
I tend to like early British history and Western Europe (up until the 17th/18th century).
It's modern history but off the top of my head the 1974 series and the very British scandal ones are both immensely funny.
Thanks Ed!
Out of interest, has anyone ever listened to any of the other "Rest is" podcasts? I haven't, and probably never will, partly because of the lineups and partly down to it seeming like a copy of the original. Am I wrong or?
Also found TRiH a couple of years back, around the time that Damn Interesting dried up (a loss to podcasting), certainly a must listen, love history, and as a podcast it plays well with just the right amount of hook and reward. Alas most podcasts are utter drivel, luckily my days of longer distance driving have finished….
Yes I've also been on this same journey from the start, and find that I can mention it to anyone in my circles and they will invariably know it and are often fans. I think you're right it's one of Britain's biggest and best cultural exports in the 2020s. There was a wobbly moment a few years back where they got involved in some product placement (was it to promote a film or something) and Capel Lofft came down hard on them, and they quickly mended their ways. My all time favourite is either General Gordon or the story of the Unknown Warrior. That's now annual remembrance day listening for me. The English oak coffin, the Union Jack, the crusader's sword, and that Kipling story.