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The Secret History of Christmas

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Availability: 20 left in stock
Fulfilled by Audible,
Arrives Mar 9 – Mar 13
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Description

A cornucopia of Christmas delights from the bestselling author of A Short History of Nearly Everything and Notes from a Small Island.Christmas is the single biggest annual event on the planet, a time for merry-making, over- indulgence, peace, goodwill, and the occasional family row. It’s as comfortable and familiar as a pair of old shoes and yet still glittery and exciting. But what do you really know about it? It’s stuffed full of traditions and rituals that most of us have been observing all our lives without having the slightest idea of where they come from.Why is it called Boxing Day, for example? Why do we sing about Good King Wenceslas – who wasn’t a king and possibly not even good? What’s the story behind Christmas crackers? Who would have guessed that one of our most popular Christmas carols began as a kind of semi-pornographic Welsh folksong? And how did St Nicholas, a bishop from the dawn of Christianity, turn into the plump and jolly figure of Santa Claus with a flying sleigh and a home at the North Pole?Christmas, and how it got that way, is full of surprises. Join Bill Bryson to reach into this Christmas stocking and pull them out – along with the inevitable tangerine. Read more

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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Mar 9 – Mar 13

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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Absolutely delightful !
Format: Audiobook
Read by the author (the only way to enjoy Bryson, I feel) this is a delightful look at the history of Christmas traditions around the world, with the added bonus of the author's personal stories of Christmas in Iowa compared to the UK and other great bits of memoir! Laugh out loud funny. Highly recommended. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024 by venrbook
    • Bill Bryson's latest work on audio.
This holiday narrative is only available on audio recording, as Bill Bryson has officially retired from writing. It is, as always, very amusing and informative. You can see the culmination of years of writing in this, his final work.
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024 by J. Hertl
    • Worthless Purchase
This CD was NOT able to be read ... so it was worthless!
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024 by At The Tabernacle
    • If you love Christmas this is a must
Format: Audiobook
Everything you didn’t know you wanted to know about Christmas. I really enjoyed this book and got quite a few chuckles. A short and fast listen narrated by the author. I learned so much. Bill Bryson, the author, narrated the audio version with panache. If you love Christmas this is a MUST listen.
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2025 by Eun
    • Great Christmas Trivia Source!
Format: Audiobook
(3.5 stars) Such an interesting, seasonal audio book to listen to! There's loads of fascinating research, answering many questions about or curiosities around the Christmas holiday. It's a short listen, packed with interesting tidbits and a great source for holiday trivia.
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2023 by S McHenry
    • Such an informative, yet entertaining, book
Format: Audiobook
If you like to laugh while you learn and you’re interested in Christmas, I predict that you will enjoy this audiobook. It’s a free listen if you are an Audible member.
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023 by ugot2begood
    • A true Christmas gift.
Format: Audiobook
A humorous look at the history, traditions and customs of the Christmas season. Mr. Bryson explains historical Christmas by examining what we see, why it is significant and how it came to be part of Christmas traditions. Loved it, laughed out loud.
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2023 by tex-ann
    • On the first chapter of Christmas Bill Bryson gave to me, arrogance and hauteur enough for a year.
Format: Audiobook
The author comes across as haughty and condescending. I wish the book had continued in the lighthearted tone it started in, when he recounted how he and his sister would watch with bated breath as their father hung the Christmas lights, waiting for him to inevitably electrocute himself. Unfortunately it quickly descends into a patronizing and disparaging discussion of Christianity. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2025 by Josh

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