Try free for 30 days
-
The Secret History of Christmas
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $16.85
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
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.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Secret History of Christmas
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mark Govern
- 22-11-2022
Easy and interesting listen
Good historical view of Christmas. Really great. Narration is brilliant. Covers all the main areas.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Pam
- 26-11-2022
Fantastic
Fun and informative. Created with humour and knowledge. I can’t even begin to imagine the research required. Loved it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 21-12-2022
Excellent, fascinating and a great voice
Once again Bill Bryson is hugely entertaining bringing to life in a variety of perspectives on Christmas as well as the facts and fiction behind. A perfect read in the lead up to Christmas and thank you audible for making this available to everyone.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rukai
- 24-12-2022
Interesting history of Christmas
An interesting listen on Christmas time about the past and coming of age of Christmas worldwide. Bill's voice is monotonous at times but his writing was quite interesting. worth a listen over your Christmas tipple
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Simon
- 01-12-2023
Classic Bryson
What a thoroughly, enjoyable listen. I highly recommend a listen, every holiday season. Fun, entertaining and educational.. classic Bryson.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 09-12-2023
Insightful
You can really appreciate the amount of research that has gone into writing this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the history of Christmas.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Wide Eyes, Big Ears!
- 08-12-2022
Fun, interesting look at the creation of Christmas
Bill Bryson applies his research skills to the historical construction of our modern Christmas traditions and images. He focuses mainly on British and American traditions, while acknowledging European influences. Among other things, he covers Christmas cards, advent calendars, carols, foods (past and present), the tree and its decorations, how the pagan celebrations became feasting days and then Christian celebrations, and how Saint Nicholas morphed into Santa Claus, chimneys, and the North Pole. It’s amusing and interesting and I learnt new things. For instance, the idea of Santa being jolly, plump, white-bearded comes from a 1822 poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ by Clement Clark Moore which also depicts him as elf-sized, covered ash and soot, and smoking a pipe. No wonder he could handle the chimneys! As a Christmas bonus, Bill provides his usual wry commentary and narrates the audiobook himself, which is always a treat.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Libertina
- 19-12-2022
Interesting and entertaining
I’m not even much of a Christmas fan but I enjoyed this. Bill Bryson’s work is enjoyable to read no matter the subject.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 22-12-2022
Classic Bill Bryson
A fascinating and entertaining foray into the origins of Christmas and all its trimmings, with all of Bryson's usual detail and humour.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Knittydoll
- 25-12-2022
I learned so much about Christmas
Engaging and humorous, this book provided so much information that is new to me, and I’m sure I will listen again next year to pick up more details.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!