Episodes

  • 25. The Thirty-Nine Steps: The First James Bond

    25. The Thirty-Nine Steps: The First James Bond
    Jul 27 2026
    How did the First World War inspire The 39 Steps? Why did John Buchan set the novel in Scotland? And, is the dashing protagonist Richard Hannay, a model for later Spy heroes? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The 39 Steps, and the world it was born of. Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editors: Lorcan Moullier & Joe Pettit Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 24. Jane Austen, Nazis and Murder: The Ultimate Summer Reading List

    24. Jane Austen, Nazis and Murder: The Ultimate Summer Reading List
    Jul 23 2026
    Which books should you take on your summer holiday? How have some of Dominic and Tabby’s favourite destinations shaped these novels? And, what makes a summer classic? Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: Caroline Kaye Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • 23. The Odyssey Retold: Circe, Monsters and Myth

    23. The Odyssey Retold: Circe, Monsters and Myth
    Jul 20 2026
    How does Madeline Miller re-work Greek mythology to explore women’s experience? Is Circe the best fantasy novel of the 2010s? And, why do we remain captivated by the world of ancient Greece? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Circe, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. You can order Circe and explore our favourite Folio books at http://foliosociety.com/thebookclub Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: James Clayden Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • 22. The Leopard: The Greatest Historical Novel Ever Written?

    22. The Leopard: The Greatest Historical Novel Ever Written?
    Jul 13 2026
    How did Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s family story shape his only novel, The Leopard? Why is The Leopard considered an Italian masterpiece? And, who is the sexiest man ever written? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Leopard, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: Joe Pettit Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 22 mins
  • 21. The Wind In The Willows: How A Bedtime Story Became An Icon

    21. The Wind In The Willows: How A Bedtime Story Became An Icon
    Jul 6 2026
    How did Kenneth Grahame come up with the idea for The Wind In The Willows? Why was the novel initially rejected by publishers? And, what character would Tabby and Dominic be? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Wind In The Willows, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. You can order The Wind In The Willows and explore our favourite Folio books at http://foliosociety.com/thebookclub Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: Bruno Di Castri Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 33 mins
  • 20. Game of Thrones: The Horrifying True Story Behind A Song of Ice and Fire

    20. Game of Thrones: The Horrifying True Story Behind A Song of Ice and Fire
    Jun 29 2026
    What real-world historical events and figures inspired the political conflicts in Westeros? Is George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones better than J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings? And, is it likely that George R.R. Martin will ever finish the A Song of Ice and Fire series? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of A Game of Thrones, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. You can order A Game of Thrones and explore our favourite Folio books at https://foliosociety.com/thebookclub Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: thebookclubhq.com Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: Jack Meek Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • 19. Little Women: The Secret Sadness of a Classic

    19. Little Women: The Secret Sadness of a Classic
    Jun 22 2026
    How did Louisa May Alcott break social and literary conventions? Is Little Women the first coming of age story in a novel? And, what do Tabby and Dominic think of Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film adaption? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Little Women, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: James Clayden Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 17 mins
  • 18. The Code Of The Woosters: The Funniest Book Ever Written?

    18. The Code Of The Woosters: The Funniest Book Ever Written?
    Jun 15 2026
    How did P.G. Wodehouse become one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century? Why have Jeeves and Wooster become such an iconic pairing? And, did P.G. Wodehouse collaborate with the Nazis? Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of The Code Of The Woosters, the world it was born of, and the novel itself. Email us: ⁠⁠thebookclub@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ For analysis, book recommendations and more, sign up to our newsletter, Book Club Notes, introduced weekly by Tabby or Dominic. Sign up at: https://www.thebookclubhq.com/ Instagram: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@thebookclubpodhq⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@bookclubpodhq⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheBookClubPodHQ⁠⁠ Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: James Clayden Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins