An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

John Sugden

2 books referenced

Books by John Sugden

Nelson: A Dream of Glory

Referenced in 9 episodes

613. Nelson: Glory at Trafalgar (Part 6)

October 30, 2025

Context:

Referenced as 'John Sugden's extraordinary biography' which 'sifts all the evidence' about Nelson's death scene and final moments. This is a biography of Nelson.

612. Nelson: The Final Showdown (Part 5)

October 27, 2025

Context:

Referenced as 'his brilliant biography of Nelson' when discussing Nelson's return to England in summer 1805. The quote used describes Nelson feeling he was 'in the centre of a huge unfolding drama, inexorably gathering pace towards some historic climax.'

609. Nelson: The Gathering Storm (Part 2)

October 15, 2025

Context:

Multiple references to John Sugden's biography of Nelson, described as 'the kind of war and peace of this gigantic epic.' Quoted extensively for historical analysis of Nelson's time in the Mediterranean and his relationship with Emma Hamilton.

608. Nelson: Slaughter in Naples (Part 1)

October 12, 2025

Context:

Referenced as author of a 'titanic Nelson biography, probably the definitive one' when discussing different historians' perspectives on Nelson's actions at Naples

607. Nelson’s Lover: The Scandalous Lady Hamilton

October 08, 2025

Context:

Quoted as describing King Ferdinand IV as 'a boisterous, big featured buffoon' - likely from one of his historical works, possibly his Nelson biography.

518. Nelson: The Battle of the Nile (Part 5)

December 02, 2024

Context:

Referenced as a source on Nelson, quoted as saying 'it was not in the Admiral's nature to dither with an enemy in sight.' John Sugden is a Nelson biographer whose work is being cited.

517. Nelson: The Hunt for Napoleon (Part 4)

November 28, 2024

Context:

Referenced multiple times as Sugden's biography of Nelson, described as 'incomparable.' Used as a source for details about Nelson's arrival in Bath, his coat of arms, and the hunt for the French fleet.

515. Nelson: Attack the French! (Part 2)

November 21, 2024

Context:

Referenced multiple times as 'great biographer of Nelson.' His biography is quoted describing both Jervis's physical appearance ('toad-like figure') and Nelson's naval performance at battle ('no amateur broadside, but a performance no other ship in the Mediterranean could have surpassed').

514. Nelson: Hero of the Seas (Part 1)

November 18, 2024

Context:

Referred to as 'the great biographer of Nelson' with his biographies described as 'the world's longest ever books published' - mentioned in context of detailed information about Nelson's life including 'enormous quantitative stuff' about ordering supplies.

Life of Nelson (second volume)

Referenced in 1 episode

245. Trafalgar: Victory (Part 3)

October 21, 2022

Context:

Tom describes this as one of the most extraordinary history books he's ever reviewed, noting it is incredibly detailed in its account of Nelson's life and the Battle of Trafalgar