Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #177302 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Audio CD

From AudioFile
Where exactly did Santa Claus come from? How did he meet Mrs. Claus? Who named the reindeer? We've all asked these questions and a million more, and Jeff Guinn uses a wonderful mix of scholarship, fantasy, folklore, and faith to answer them all. According to this "authoritative" autobiography, St. Nicholas began giving gifts in the third century A.D. and never looked back. John H. Mayer's warm and leisurely reading certainly puts one in mind of the classic nineteenth-century Claus, but it's the generous sprinkling of facts that draws one in. Did you know the Roman calendar had only 10 months and 355 days and that Christmas caroling was introduced to the world in the thirteenth century? A fine way for the whole family to receive a dash of history and humor relating to holiday cheer. B.P. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Santa Through the Ages
Jeff Guinn has given us a fascinating look at the development of a cultural icon. His use of such diverse historical and semi-historical figures as St. Patrick, Arthur of Britain, and Charlemagne creates a sense of collective mythology and unites many different legends and historical facts into one absorbing narrative. It is really interesting to observe Guinn's approach to the subject matter of St. Nicholas' transformation from saint to toymaker and gift-giver. I also appreciate the sensitivity and political correctness regarding various historical attitudes toward women, slavery, etc. Guinn's Santa gives a modern perspective on outdated ways of thinking (well, after all he can, because he's lived through all of those ages into the present day!). I found it fascinating how Nicholas' life was prolonged so that he just went on living year after year, long after people thought he had died.

For contrast, readers of this book might want to check out my novel "Giftbringer: The Story of Young St. Nicholas" (also available through Amazon and other places)as it covers a portion of Nicholas' life--mainly built around the tale of the Dowerless Maidens--but develops it in a very different way. Alas, I fear I am much more "historical" and less "p.c." in my depiction of ancient times, although I tried to show the women as well as the men as intelligent and resourceful.

Having devoted years of my life to research of this subject matter, I can well appreciate the effort that Jeff Guinn has put into this absorbing and interesting work. It is a challenging and somewhat daunting task to write about someone so pure and good, and still keep the drama and interest flowing. Speaking from experience as a writer developing this same personage in a different way, I know exactly how hard that is.

I wish Jeff Guinn the best success with his effort, and look forward to reading other books by this author.

Interesting and fun read
Well most of know that Santa started out as St. Nicholas, a bishop from Asia minor and of course we know he ended up at the North Pole as the man we know today.

But, what happened in between? How did Nicholas start his gift giving and how did he get to where he is today? Jeff Guinn attempts to explain all of that in this delightful book. Read how Santa started out and met the future Mrs. Claus. His travels throughout the world and his eventually settling at the North Pole.

Guinn takes know facts about the actualy St. Nicholas and weaves them into the Santa Mythology we are all familiar with. Fun book to read.

A wonderful mixture of fantasy and history
I can't even imagine how long it must have taken Jeff Guinn to research and piece together this unusual book, but the hard work was worth it. "The Autobiography of Santa Claus" is part novel, part history, and something that anyone who loves Saint Nicholas will be grateful to read.

Guinn tracks down the origins of nearly all pieces of the Santa Claus legends and pieces them together, beginning with the birth of Nicholas in 280 A.D. He traces a life that lasts over 1700 years and explains how every well-known story of Santa Claus came to be, mixing in science with magic and throwing in actual historical figures to color the piece. (You'll never believe who some of Santa's "helpers" actually turn out to be.) He takes the character through the dark ages, through the Victorian era, mixes him in with European and American history and literature and finally brings it all together in the present day.

The book doesn't have much of a climax, but that's because it is written as an "autobiography," not a novel. The stories just stop because they've all been told... for now. That's part of the miracle -- the knowledge that Santa Claus will outlast us all and continue bringing his true gift, hope, to children all over the world long after you and I are gone. It's a wonderful book,and for people who love Christmas, I can't recommend it enough.