Customer Reviews

The Forgotten Carols: A Christmas Story and Songs (Book & CD)

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3 star:		(2)
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This story, though short is due to become a classic Christmas story much in the same vein as "A Christmas Carol"
Constance is a hurting soul even though she would deny it.
Working as nurse in a city hospital, she is given a special assignment to watch over Uncle John while his family is away for the holidays. What Constance thinks is going to be a routine assignment turns out to be anything but! And what you think is a routine Christmas story is anything but!
I never saw the outcome ahead of time and read it through eyes brimming with tears. The CD is a wonderful additon and gives life to the written word. I will buy this for mysef and for some well chosen friends. We often get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holiday, and setting aside a special evening to read this book and listen to the music, will center you and prepare your heart to receive the most wonderful gift of all... Christ's love.

I went to a live performance of "The Forgotten Carols" play 5 years ago without ever having heard the music. I was deeply touched with a sweet feeling of peace and appreciation for Christ's birth and life, as told be the characters in each song, as well as the fabulous Connie Lou. The Innkeeper (song:Let Him In) tells of how he felt when he turned Mary and Joseph away and then later realized whom he had really turned away. A shepherd who slept through the sighting of the first Christmas star struggles to believe what his friends tell him when they return from seeing Baby Jesus (song: The Shepherd/You Were Not There In Bethlehem). To top it off, Michael McLean is a gifted performer who can intertwine humor, sadness, reverence, and joy in a masterpiece that has become a tradition in many people's lives. I will go anywhere to see this performance every Christmastime and the beautiful music rings throughout our home during the Holidays. I can't give Michael McLean enough praise for such an entertaining production with such a deep, heartfelt message.

The story of the Forgotten Carols rekindles the true meaning of Christmas. The book is based around a nurse who doesn't believe in anything that has to do with Christmas and has no family. Her hospital assigns her to go and take care of one family's aging uncle, John. As the story continues, John introduces her to his carols about the forgotten parts of Christmas and the people who played roles that many forget about as they head to the department stores to take part in the materialized part of Christmas. Some of these characters include the innkeeper and the inn, the shepards, and Joseph. This book has been in my family since it came out and we read it many times every holiday season. If you purchase this book I recommend the audio cassette to accompany because it is read by the Glen Yarbrough and it include the Forgotten Carol songs such as "I cry the day I take the tree down," "Joseph:I was not his father, he was mine," and a great rendition of a Messiah medley called "Handel's Dream." This book is a must and will be the perfect addition to your Christmas

The Forgotten Carols has become a Christmas Tradition in our home. Our entire family loves the story so much, and the music is truly amazing. We have made the Forgotten Carols part of our traditional Christmas Eve. Each December 24th we sit around a roaring fire with our entire family and begin reading the book. Each family member takes turns reading a chapter. It is truly a wonderful book and one of our favorite Christmas Traditions!

I first heard the musical CD in about 1992 and I thought that It was ok, not great. Well about 3 years ago in christmas 1999 I found the book that goes along with it. Once I read the story behind the songs and heard the songs again I was truely touched. It help me put christmas in perspective, and why we celebrate christmas. It is a wonderful book and CD are well worth the price.

I rarely have found a book and music with such a touching message as The Forgotten Carols. Anyone professing to believe in Christ or Christmas needs to read the message and feel the spirit this classic provides.

The narration by Glen Yarbrough is superb, and is reminiscent of childhood storytelling, yet in an adult manner. The book tells the story of a modern-day woman, and will strike home with many listeners. There are original songs mixed in that, during the first listening, you will enjoy, but by the 3rd or 4th your heart will be singing along. A great story to hear while you sit in front of the fireplace and sip wine or hot spiced cider with your family on Christmas Eve!

If you thought this book was beautiful. I encourage you to all see the preformance. It makes the story that much more special.

Please - if there is anyone out there who knows if Mr. McLean's music for this book is in print, let me know. Email at : bkc@newnorth.net The music is some of the best I have ever heard with mind-boggling words. It is a must for any family who wants to 'think' about the meaning of Christmas.

I was really disappointed that the CD was not included with the book. There was no photo of the book so I assumed that it was the large, red hardcover book with illustrations. However, I was disappointed to see that there was a small book with no illustrations. I emailed Amazon and received a $5 refund because the item was for a gift and they could not reship in time. I ordered the CD separately for $16.00, more than the price of the book/CD set I ordered in the first place. Be wary about ordering this.