Customer Reviews

The Autobiography of Santa Claus

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

While visiting Barnes & Noble this past weekend on my annual Christmas book hunt, I stumbled across Jeff Guinn's THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SANTA CLAUS. Little did I know, at the time, was that I stumbled across a true Christmas treasure.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SANTA CLAUS tells the complete story of Saint Nicholas, from the day that he was born, up until present day. The story is not only a fantastical tale, but features many facts from history, and many Christian undertones.

As we are taken on this incredible journey with Santa Claus, we also meet up with many of Santa Claus' good friends, including Mrs. Claus, who also posess the gift of magic.

This is a must-read this holiday season for everyone the world over. Whether you are 1 or 100, you will be amazed with Santa Claus' fantastical life story.

Erika Sorocco

While Christmas shopping a few years ago, I happened across this book at a local shopping mall and Christmas has not been the same since! This book is historically accurate, which adds to its believability. Santa explains his life and how many of the legends that surround him are made possible.

Santa is careful to consistantly tie the holiday back to it's true meaning--to celebrate Jesus' birth.

It's a wonderful combination of magic and logic to make Christmas as wonderous for adults as it is for children!

An subtle touch that was given to the book is that it's 24 chapters, which lends to starting the reading on December 1 and leading through to Christmas Eve, just in time to go to bed and dream of Santa's visit.

I started out loving this book. The opening line "you're right to believe in me", I thought was a fabulous way to begin. But most of the middle was just a long history lesson. It seemed like the author was trying to do his own personal commentary on the history of the world & war by pretending it was Santa's point of view. I found some of the famous people who became permenant Santa helpers hard to swallow; particularly Attila the Hun. What?! And when he got to Santa's commentary on how we shouldn't have fought the American Revolution I almost stopped reading the book. The ending was pretty good & had some magic, as did the beginning. So I'm torn. Overall I'm not sure it was worth the time to read it.

Although this book was a little slow at times (chalk it up to the ramblings of a VERY old man, who has lived a long and fun-filled life), I feel that everyone, bouth yound and old, should read this story. Live the magic of Christmas through Santa's eyes and never forget that to give up on Santa is to give up on hope! Merry Christmas!!! :)

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.

For all those who've ever wondered how a 3rd century Turkish bishop named Nicholas evolved into a fat, jolly man in red who lives at the North Pole and drives a reindeer-drawn flying sleigh -- this is the book for you.

A very interesting and entertaining story full of famous historical characters and Christmas cheer.

A little dry for children, a little simple for adults, but sure to be a hit with those who love Christmas and Santa.

This is an amazingly clever book, in which the author weaves traditional Christmas beliefs with history and biography. Attila the Hun, Alfred the Great, Theodore Roosevelt--they are all there--and you'll find out what really happened to Amelia Earhart as well. BUY THIS BOOK!

This book takes the reader from the beginning of the life of St. Nicholas to modern times. Along the way he meets many famous people from history and the author brings them into our lives through his discriptive writing. Information about how calendars came into being as we know them today, to how different countries celebrated Christmas is sprinkled throughout the book. Some very interesting historical facts about the "new world" which became America, were new to me, and enriched my understanding of our countries growing pains. I regret that this book is out of print as I feel it should be read by everyone who celebrates Christmas, and keeps Christmas in their hearts.

An accurate history of the world (in brief) through the eyes
of one of the worlds most famous citizens. Santa tells how
he got his start, met his immortal helpers (some suprising
charactures - bad guys turned good), his wife, and the whole
North Pole crew. A must read, especially at Christmas. The
jacket suggests one chapter a day starting December 1st, the
last chapter (24) on Christmas eve. Just what you need to get
into the spirit.