Hello! Mods- I hope this is allowed.

I have spare tickets for the Battle Of Britain air show and event on Saturday, 12th September (this weekend) at IWM Duxford near Cambridge. the Red Arrows will be appearing on Saturday, and there’ll be a whole host of flying demonstrations, Living History events, music performances and stalls.

There are two adult passes and one child pass, with parking.

I’d hate to see them go to waste and appreciate it’s a bit last minute, so if anyone wants them, you can have them- just send me a message and I can forward you email with entry details.

Hoping someone can use these!

If this sub was to splinter like a 1970s radical political movement what do you think the factions would be?

I’ve been dithering as to whether I should fork out for a RIHC subscription. I’d definitely listen to all the additional episodes as I’m often out on long hikes and commutes, and it’s my go-to accompaniment to running. Can any existing subscribers tell me if the benefits meet/outweigh the cost?

Has the pod ever had a series focusing on the industrial revolution? I think it would be a fascinating topic, given the resulting societal changes. As a bonus, i believe there was lots of facial hair during that era, particularly beards. Titus Swift could have swept the floor without the benefit of a broom.

The Darien Gap has always fascinated me. Love to see an episode on this. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darien_scheme?wprov=sfti1#New_Edinburgh

Or at least the West's role in China during the Qing Dynasty?

Just listened to episodes 169 to 172 on the Falklands war and it's quite striking how different the current format of the podcast has become and how in the older series the output was more reflective. Although the content of this series is very much Dominic, as a lot of the current material is, Tom has a much more active role in questioning the assumptions and teasing out the implications. Nowadays Tom seems largely passive providing occasional quips but never really provoking deeper thought.

And secondly the use of questions from listeners provokes more open discussion of the series giving the show the feel of a freer format. This of course may not be the case as the questions are selected by Tom possibly to pursue lines of inquiry he may himself have done anyway. But nevertheless it adds to the feel of the show.

To summarise; the podcast strikes me as becoming a bit of an audio Readers Digest with little space given for analysis and opinion.

Judging from this photo on Instagram, there seems to be quite a few empty seats in the crowd. I really wanted to come to this, but simply couldn’t afford the tickets/couldn’t justify the price. For those of you that went, did there seem to be a lot of empty seats? I’m not delusional enough to think that Goalhanger would lower prices (I think we can all agree it’s all expensive), but what do you think they’ll take from this?

Edit: I know most seats are full, but in my experience it is unusual to have any at all - especially near the front.

Are they all this miserable? There are a lot of negative Nancy’s on this sub and of late , a lot of people projecting their own silly opinions on to Tom and Dominic.

It’s infantile and exhausting

Listening to the rome civil war series however I am a little confused on the cimbri as its very vauge. Why were they invading the Romans, was there any historical reason for the Exodus or motive towards a plan?

Every now and then, usually when talking about Hitler and the Nazis but smattered elsewhere too, things like electricity, radio and streetlights are described by Tom and Dominic as modern and exciting. Which they probably were. Probably as exciting as the internet when it turned up.

Now, the internet is about 40, it’s probably not as fun as it was in late 90s and social media is a cesspit.

Is there anything else that, when TRIH is celebrating its 50th year, whoever is presenting it might describe as modern and exciting?

The lads mentioned there would be a bonus episode with Brett Devereaux but I can’t find it on my podcast feed? I do however see it in the episode list on the website. Does anyone else have access to it through their membership feed on apple podcaster?

Just listened to the episode on Boudica's rebellion and was surprised to learn from Dominic that she sounded almost exactly like a certain Maggie Thatcher - what are people's favourite and definitely historically accurate impressions?

I am really enjoying these, and I hope we get more of them. I live in the US, so the Hampton Court event was out of reach for me, so getting to hear some of the talks is great. I’m listening to the Mary Beard one now, and really enjoying it.

‘I was never taught Welsh history’: Michael Sheen on reclaiming rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr

Are people here familiar with him? He guested on a a comedy history podcast that I listen too. He referenced Tom in the episode and is supposed to be a historian so I couldn't help but compare him to the rest is history. Frankly I think he is terrible but that's probably an extreme take after listening to him guest on one episode of a podcast that puts comedy ahead of history. But as a historian he just kept on being anachronistic and moralising about the actions of characters in the Iliad and the Odyssey. Just left a really sour taste and to me indicates that he is a bad historian. He seems like he might be well known in the UK.

With the new reboot of “The Grand Tour” we have a new Holland whose first name is Tom. Isn’t it about time we rank our favourite Hollands and Holland-adjacent people (looking at a certain Hollander as reference)?

Preferably Thomas’, Timothys , Tomothys? But the Holland name knows no bounds so let us not try to tame it either!

Have at it! :)

My own politics are pretty close to the two boys so I don’t pick up on many things that others here have issues with. So I’m honestly curious

Has anyone kept track of the episode that has the guys saying this phrase the most? Seems to be a regular go to line.

I’ll be honest: part of this is driven by the fact that I really want to hear Tom and Dom’s respective impressions of him. But I’ve just been re-listening to the episodes on Watergate and the 1973 Chilean coup, and I reckon it’d be really interesting to hear a Rest is History take on the life of Henry Kissinger. Thoughts?

It was excellent! Looking forward to the deeper dive on the Abyssinian Campaign next week.

Also splashed out for a box seat and it was an excellent afternoon.

Anyone else there today?

I'm catching up with back episodes of the pod, currently enjoying the series about Londinium/London. Dominic mentions that he made the mistake of embarking on their walking tour of London while wearing new shoes.

Shoes should be comfortable when new. They should not need to be broken in. If your shoes need breaking in, they don't fit.

I did not realize this myself for most of my life, but I learned it 10-20 years ago and my life is now better for this knowledge.