The title says it all. :-) Very enjoyable December read.
Excellent story of Santa and his journey through the ages as he becomes friends with many of history's most famous. It will make you a true believer.
A fun, easy read that covers the history of Christmas from the birth of Saint Nicholas to modern day, bringing a few unexpected characters along for the ride.
I read this to my kids each Christmas and they really enjoy it (kids are 12, 10 & 8 this year. 24 chapters so we read a chapter a night, ending on Christmas eve. Personally, I enjoy the historical parts of the story, i.e. where many Christmas traditions began, and not so much the addition of Teddy Roosevelt, and others across time. Kids love it all.
LOVED THIS BOOK! it was an interesting take on the legend of Santa Claus, will definately read the other books in this Christmas series
My book club, comprised of teachers, read this book and thought of many applications for the middle school classroom. It was an enjoyable read for adults and a great way to introduce many historical figures to teens.
I loved this Book. It is a great read especial for an older child. It gives a view of Santa that is not overly religious. I didn't give it five stars because it can be a little slow at times.
This is a GREAT Holiday book, or even a book to read throughout the year! It is very entertaining! ALL about Santa Claus - how he came to be, was and still is for our children! You can't help but to be affected yourself as well. Talk about keeping the Spirit of Christmas alive through the year, this is it! There really may be a Santa Claus! WELL WORTH purchasing this book to keep in your library!
This story follows history well and gives a great impression of realism. Yet it is easy enough for children to understand if it is read to the young ones. Amazing how the author weaves the story from St. Nicholas of the 4th century through the different incarnations to today's Santa. I was amazed at the people from whom help was given and for how long.
I thought this was an interesting book. Not exciting, but I loved how actual historical persons and events were woven into the book and into the explanation of how Santa does his work. A great Christmas read.
This is such a delightful book! I'm not a big Christmas fanatic, but I do think I may make a tradition of reading this book each December. It is a very fun, heartwarming story.
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.
WONDERFUL story about the history of Santa Claus. I do find it ironic that it is an "autobiography" when it is written by someone else, but other than that, I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
The story opens up with "You're right to believe in me." St. Nicholas basically kidnaps the author and takes him on a journey to tell him his entire life story beginning 280 A.D. all the way to the present time. You meet his many helpers along the way (including some famous people), and learn how the gift giving began. There are many cute quotables in this book along the way, and one thing I really loved about it was that it interwove historical facts everywhere so that the story of Santa Claus seemed more realistic. Very cute read, and will definitely inspire the Christmas spirit within you!
The story opens up with "You're right to believe in me." St. Nicholas basically kidnaps the author and takes him on a journey to tell him his entire life story beginning 280 A.D. all the way to the present time. You meet his many helpers along the way (including some famous people), and learn how the gift giving began. There are many cute quotables in this book along the way, and one thing I really loved about it was that it interwove historical facts everywhere so that the story of Santa Claus seemed more realistic. Very cute read, and will definitely inspire the Christmas spirit within you!
Very interesting account of the origin of Santa Claus. Not only does it provide a good read but many historical facts. Good for fun or information useful in a classroom.
This is a wonderful book, for all who believe in Santa Claus and Christmas.
Heartwarming and fun for people like me who love Santa and history. A very sweet tale that's a reminder of what really gets us excited about Christmas. Enjoyable, and I highly recommend.
Cute book. Great for Christmas gift giving.
A fun and highly imaginative "autobiography" . There were quite a few surprises and interesting thing several historical figures. Overall a very nice read especially around Christmas time.
How can this be "The Autobiography of Santa Claus" if the author's name is "Jeff Guinn"? Is Jeff trying to tell us something. Is "Jeff" Santa's secret identity?
Just kidding of course. Sounds like a interesting book. Most of the reviews over on the Amazon site are very favorable. However, as an historian I was bothered by the Amazon reviews that this book has Santa saying we should not have fought the American Revolution and that Attila the Hun gave up war to make toys for kids. Also, that he would not give gifts to children in war-torn lands because that make the gifts less powerful, or something to that effect. Something to explore before you go reading it to school children who are at an age when fantasy should not be offered as historical fact.
Just kidding of course. Sounds like a interesting book. Most of the reviews over on the Amazon site are very favorable. However, as an historian I was bothered by the Amazon reviews that this book has Santa saying we should not have fought the American Revolution and that Attila the Hun gave up war to make toys for kids. Also, that he would not give gifts to children in war-torn lands because that make the gifts less powerful, or something to that effect. Something to explore before you go reading it to school children who are at an age when fantasy should not be offered as historical fact.
