An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

257. Australia: The Mystery of the Somerton Man

November 19, 2022

Description

In today’s Australian-themed World Cup episode, Tom leads us through the incredible true story of the Somerton Man, a murder mystery that involves an Adelaide Beach, Persian poetry, and unexpected...
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Books Referenced

Silence of the Lambs

Author: Thomas Harris

Context:

Referenced when discussing the Snowtown murders in the 1990s, comparing them to the style of Thomas Harris's work with Hannibal Lecter

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Author: Omar Khayyam (translated by Edward Fitzgerald)

Context:

Central to the Somerton Man mystery - a torn piece of paper with 'Tamam Shud' (meaning 'it is finished') from this book was found in the dead man's pocket. The book is described as famous Persian poetry from the 11th-12th century, translated by Victorian poet Edward Fitzgerald. A copy of the book with the phrase torn out was later found, containing mysterious coded letters and phone numbers.

The ABC Murders

Author: Agatha Christie

Context:

Referenced near the end of the episode when discussing how Agatha Christie would create elaborate scenarios in her detective fiction, with the solution often being mundane despite the complex setup