The Secret History of Christmas Audiobook By Bill Bryson cover art

The Secret History of Christmas

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The Secret History of Christmas

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
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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.

©2022 Bill Bryson (P)2022 Audible, Ltd Political Science Politics & Government Funny Witty Christmas Nonfiction
Fascinating History • Entertaining Trivia • Soothing Voice • Humorous Storytelling • Well-researched Information
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Only Bill Bryson could come up with and weave together so well so many fascinating yet little-known facts about something we thought we knew so well: Christmas.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful Bryson Fans

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Enjoyable classic bill Bryson with his quintessential British humor mixed with lots of Christmas trivia

Classic Bill Bryson

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This was a great quick listen. Learned so much about the different Christmas traditions I had never heard of.

So interesting

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Sweet. Chatty. Funny. Filled with historical details. A well spent listen for those who love trivia.

Sweet

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I learnt some new things about Christmas traditions and where they came from. I enjoyed hearing his perspective as an American married to a British wife and the experiences that that brings. As I am in the same situation.
The author made it pretty clear his thoughts on Christianity at the beginning and how it related to Christmas. It seems his research into that only confirmed his own personal anti Christian beliefs.

Good over all

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Bill Bryson’s books are always very informative and highly entertaining! Thank you, Bill, for another wonderful book!

I loved it!

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Interesting insights into how Christmas has evolved over time and worldwide. Curious as to what the holidays will look like in the future!

Reality appreciated

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An interesting, if somewhat circuitous, picture of the many paths that let us to our current Christmas holiday.

Fun

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Everything about this book was fabulous. Interesting handling of a popular subject. This book was written for a British not American audience. That made it all the more interesting. Perfect length for half a day’s drive.

Excellent book by beloved author

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Bill’s voice and expression, his depth of research with wit and humour that keeps you interested in every word. I love Christmas even more now 💕 thank you Bill!

I love Christmas even more now

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