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The Rest Is HistorySeptember 5, 2025

598. The First World War: The Eastern Front Explodes (Part 5)

About This Episode
While the Western front was raging following the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, what was unfolding on the Eastern Front? Why was it an even bloodier and more brutal arena than the West? As Austria took on its great antagonist - the spark of the entire war - Serbia, why were its early campaigns constantly blighted by disaster? What terrible mistake did Russia, with its behemoth of an army, make? How would its dramatic war with Germany unfold? And, would this be the beginning of the end of the Habsburg Empire? Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the outbreak of the First World War on the Eastern Front, and its early clashes. _____ Try Adobe Express for free now at https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/spotlight/designwithexpress?sdid=HM85WZZV&mv=display&mv2=ctv or by searching in the app store. Learn more at https://uber.com/onourway Explore the world’s most loved stories in their most beautiful form - only at https://www.foliosociety.com. _____ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude
Book Mentions
10 book mentions in this episode.
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Books Mentioned

The Burning of the World cover
The Burning of the World
Bella Zomberi-Moldovan

This was how the burning of the world announced itself. So that was The Burning of the World by the artist Bella Zomberi-Moldovan.

Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Catastrophe cover
Catastrophe
Max Hastings

Max Hastings describes Potiorek as a bachelor who had devoted his life monastically to his profession while remaining ignorant of every aspect of it that was either modern or important.

ASIN: B08PC4TNDQ
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
1984 cover
1984
George Orwell

Things like George Orwell's 1984 or the quests in J.R.R. Tolkien or Frank Herbert's Dune.

ASIN: 605746222X
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Dune cover
Dune
Frank Herbert

Things like George Orwell's 1984 or the quests in J.R.R. Tolkien or Frank Herbert's Dune.

ASIN: B000R34YKC
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
In Cold Blood cover
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote

We'll be digging into everything from Truman Capote's true crime chiller, In Cold Blood.

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Dracula cover
Dracula
Bram Stoker

We'll be looking at the history behind their great books, including Bram Stoker's horror novel, Dracula.

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The Hobbit cover
The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien

Last week, we talked about J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.

ASIN: B08C8XFQMN
Buy on Amazon
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The Handmaid's Tale cover
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood

Next week, we'll be doing Margaret Atwood's book, The Handmaid's Tale.

ASIN: B07KYSPLBJ
Buy on Amazon
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The Eastern Front cover
The Eastern Front
Alexander Watson

Alexander Watson, who's written a couple of brilliant books about the Eastern Front, he says this event, which is barely known in the West, is a defining experience for a generation of Germans.

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Bloodlands cover
Bloodlands
Timothy Snyder

These are the bloodlands, then, of Timothy Snyder's book. Probably the worst place to be born in the 20th century.

ASIN: 1541600061
Buy on Amazon
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