An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

Samuel Johnson

3 books referenced

Books by Samuel Johnson

A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland

Referenced in 1 episode

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

March 16, 2026

Context:

Johnson is describing his journey to the Hebrides in this book, which is described as one of the great classics of travel literature.

Rasselas

Referenced in 1 episode

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

March 09, 2026

Context:

Described as a novella Johnson hurriedly wrote to pay for his mother's funeral, about a prince searching for the key to happiness. The hosts note 'you can still read it to this day, it's actually great' and 'pleasantly short.'

The Vanity of Human Wishes

Referenced in 1 episode

564. The Great Northern War: The Battle of the Baltic (Part 1)

May 11, 2025

Context:

Tom Holland opens the episode by reading a passage from this poem, published in 1749, which describes Swedish Charles XII as a classical hero figure.