The Rest Is History

Being an American, I get tripped on some of the sayings, but this podcast is still great fun!

Just finished the excellent series on Henry V and the battle of Agincourt. Always enjoy the hosts conversations around some of the more contentious issues. I did have a question……why did the French pick the ground at Agincourt when the topography (the woods protecting the English flanks and the ‘funneling’ effect of the woods tapering towards the English lines) gave the smaller English force the ability to negate the larger French force? Since the French only needed to block the way to Calais, presumably they could have picked a battleground better suited to their force.

From the time I was a boy I have loved reading history. I still do but another wonderful way to learn history is via podcast. I’ve been listening to Dan Carlin‘s hard-core history series for years, which are unforgettable. They are truly long form and require a serious investment in time so they are not for everyone. I’ve recently discovered this wonderful podcast called The Rest is History which is now the most popular podcast on this topic. I believe it because the presenters -both British historians - are wonderfully witty and humorous, and clearly enjoy each other‘s company tremendously. Their infectious love of history comes through loud and clear. Well done and keep it up!

My goodness what a British apologist take. These gentlemen kindly glossed over the true atrocities that took place by the hands of British troops on soon to be Americans. No to mention the undue burdens of which they have several amendments to protect against today. I think any historian would be remised to ignore the very harmful and destructive effects British occupation on those especially in what is now Boston and the northeastern United States. Americans hated King George of course, but I think the idea of a monarch in general was more their main concern. No, the world would not be better off if Britain would have won this war. The idea that they were never going to and “never had a chance from the start”(episode 4) if preposterous and I think everyone can clearly see. They had the largest army in the world by some magnitude, and according to the podcast had significant numbers of royalists in the colony. I’m glad to see most of the world has thrown off the weight of their pompous and self righteous presence.