An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

Erskine Childers

1 book referenced

Books by Erskine Childers

The Riddle of the Sands

Referenced in 4 episodes

581. The Irish Civil War: The Killing of Michael Collins (Part 2)

July 09, 2025

Context:

Referenced when discussing Erskine Childers' execution, describing him as 'a very famous author, the author of The Riddle of the Sands, who is the secretary of the Anglo-Irish delegation'

579. The Irish War of Independence: Showdown in London (Part 4)

July 02, 2025

Context:

Mentioned when describing Erskine Childers' background - he wrote this spy novel predicting the First World War before becoming an Irish nationalist and serving as secretary to the Irish delegation.

338: Ireland: Home Rule, Mutiny - and Civil War? (Part 3)

June 05, 2023

Context:

Mentioned as a novel written in 1903 by Erskine Childers, whose yacht was used to import guns via Howth for the Irish volunteers

9. Causes of the First World War

December 14, 2020

Context:

Described as 'the classic book about German spies and about the Germans plotting to invade Britain'; noted that the author later smuggled guns for the IRA and was executed