An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

The Hobbit

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Referenced in 5 episodes

Buy from Amazon #CommissionsEarned

Episodes Referencing This Book

September 05, 2025

Context:

Extensively discussed in the bonus content section as a fantasy classic, with analysis of its themes related to WWI and British mentality in the 1920s-30s.

June 16, 2024

Context:

Discussed extensively as the source of the dragon Smaug, noting Tolkien began writing it in the early 1920s and how it draws on Norse and Old English traditions

September 01, 2022

Context:

The hosts read the opening passage and discuss this 1937 book as a children's story about Bilbo Baggins going on a quest with dwarves

August 29, 2022

Context:

Mentioned as one of Tolkien's major works, the main subject of the podcast episode discussing its author

July 22, 2022

Context:

Referenced alongside The Wind in the Willows as another example of the idealized rural England being created and consumed by urban people during the same period as Metroland's development.