The Rabbit Hole Book
99 adventures into the history of stuff
Published on 23. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-4059-6658-0 (ISBN)
Description
Whatever you think you know about history... think again!
The first trivia book from the team behind the hit history podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives, investigating the provenance of historical objects, real and metaphorical, with intelligence and humour
'Compulsively dip-in-able' The Times
----
Ever fallen down a rabbit hole? Ever got lost chasing a fact, a hunch or a curious piece of cultural ephemera?
Then the Rabbit Hole Detectives - Richard Coles, Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer - are here to do the burrowing for you.
Why were eight WWII Hurricane fighter planes buried in Ukraine?
What have chimpanzees to do with the invention of toilet paper?
How many dynamite sticks should not be used to blow up a whale?
Which ancient civilisation liked a short tongue and a shaved head?
The Rabbit Hole Book follows Richard, Cat and Charles as they investigate and elucidate weird and wonderful curiosities from history, telling stories that are as often dumbfounding as they are gripping, as unexpected as they are hilarious or deeply moving.
What are you waiting for?
Welcome to the warren . . .Whatever you think you know, guess again.
The first trivia book from the team behind the hit history podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives, investigating the provenance of historical objects, real and metaphorical, with intelligence and humour
'Compulsively dip-in-able' The Times
----
Ever fallen down a rabbit hole? Ever got lost chasing a fact, a hunch or a curious piece of cultural ephemera?
Then the Rabbit Hole Detectives - Richard Coles, Cat Jarman and Charles Spencer - are here to do the burrowing for you.
Why were eight WWII Hurricane fighter planes buried in Ukraine?
What have chimpanzees to do with the invention of toilet paper?
How many dynamite sticks should not be used to blow up a whale?
Which ancient civilisation liked a short tongue and a shaved head?
The Rabbit Hole Book follows Richard, Cat and Charles as they investigate and elucidate weird and wonderful curiosities from history, telling stories that are as often dumbfounding as they are gripping, as unexpected as they are hilarious or deeply moving.
What are you waiting for?
Welcome to the warren . . .Whatever you think you know, guess again.
Reviews / Votes
Compulsively dip-in-able * The Times * I'd be amazed if you found none of the chapters interesting. My own curiosity gland was tickled by many of the entries * Daily Mail *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
250 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4059-6658-0 (9781405966580)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Richard Coles | Charles Spencer | Cat Jarman
The Rabbit Hole Book
99 adventures into the history of stuff
E-Book
10/2024
Penguin Books Ltd
€9.99
Available for download
Persons
Richard Coles (Author)
The Reverend Richard Coles is a writer, presenter and Church of England clergyman. He is the only vicar in Britain to have had a number-one hit single and appear on Strictly Come Dancing. Richard Coles is the author of the bestselling Murder Before Evensong mystery.
Charles Spencer (Author)
Charles Spencer is a journalist, broadcaster and author of historical non-fiction. He is the author of seven non-fiction books, including the number one bestselling memoir A Very Private School and the bestselling histories Blenheim, Battle for Europe, Killers of the King and The White Ship. Charles has also written for numerous publications including Vanity Fair, The Spectator, The FT and The Guardian.
Cat Jarman (Author)
Professor Cat Jarman is a bioarchaeologist and field archaeologist and the bestselling author of River Kings and The Bone Chests. She is also a historical adviser for museums and an experienced public speaker who frequently shares her expertise on BBC radio, podcasts, and TV. Professor Jarman's research has been covered by print and online news outlets internationally.
The Reverend Richard Coles is a writer, presenter and Church of England clergyman. He is the only vicar in Britain to have had a number-one hit single and appear on Strictly Come Dancing. Richard Coles is the author of the bestselling Murder Before Evensong mystery.
Charles Spencer (Author)
Charles Spencer is a journalist, broadcaster and author of historical non-fiction. He is the author of seven non-fiction books, including the number one bestselling memoir A Very Private School and the bestselling histories Blenheim, Battle for Europe, Killers of the King and The White Ship. Charles has also written for numerous publications including Vanity Fair, The Spectator, The FT and The Guardian.
Cat Jarman (Author)
Professor Cat Jarman is a bioarchaeologist and field archaeologist and the bestselling author of River Kings and The Bone Chests. She is also a historical adviser for museums and an experienced public speaker who frequently shares her expertise on BBC radio, podcasts, and TV. Professor Jarman's research has been covered by print and online news outlets internationally.