Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years [Library Binding]

Phyllis Siefker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786402466 | ISBN-13: 978-0786402465 | Publication Date: December 1, 1996

Much of the modern-day vision of Santa Claus is owed to the Clement Moore poem “The Night Before Christmas.” His description of Saint Nicholas personified the “jolly old elf” known to millions of children throughout the world. However, far from being the offshoot of Saint Nicholas of Turkey, Santa Claus is the last of a longline of what scholars call Wild Men who were worshipped in ancient European fertility rites and came to America through Pennsylvania’s Germans. This pagan creature is described from prehistoric times through his various forms—Robin Hood, The Fool, Harlequin, Satan and Robin Goodfellow—into today’s carnival and Christmas scenes. In this thoroughly researched work, the origins of Santa Claus are found to stretch back over 50,000 years, jolting the foundation of Christian myths about the jolly old elf.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Gripping...rich...wonderful” --Fortean Times

“Diligent research...excellent study...many rare illustrations...of great interest to folklorists and other researchers and storytellers” --Come-All-Ye

About the Author

The late Phyllis Siefker lived in Lawrence, Kansas.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 227 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786402466
• ISBN-13: 978-0786402465
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,705,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So -- You think You Know Santa?, November 18, 2009

By 

Emily "Em's Joie de Weird" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years (Paperback)

The first time I laid eyes on this book was at my local library, and the title was too intriguing to pass up. I never could quite see Santa as Mr. Nice Guy (except when I met his kindly avatars at the mall), so I was perfectly willing to consider the possibility that the 'jolly old elf' might be more like the old, tricky elves than the new, toy-shop versions.

Phyllis Siefker pursues the Santa legend enthusiastically, but ultimately Santa is not the legend who receives the most illumination. It's the Harlequin who emerges, in all his incarnations, from the Jester in the royal court who is the only one allowed to speak his mind (because everyone thinks he's crazy) to painted, gender-bending rock stars like Alice Cooper and Marylin Manson, to The Joker from the movie THE DARK KNIGHT. The fact that the actor who played The Joker has since died only strengthens his connection to the legendary Wild Man.

Once you've read this book, you'll see that the Wild Man is everywhere -- he makes the evening news almost every night (in one incarnation or another). After I read the library copy, I ordered my own copy on amazon. It's one of the few books I'm willing to pack up and move -- and that's rare praise.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treasure trove, December 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years (Library Binding)

This book has a wealth of information delivered in a clear, straightforward style. The excellent research draws from sources as varied as Gilgamesh and the Ainu bear ritual and manages to bring in all together in a cohesive history. A treasure trove for those interested in folklore of all kinds.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars everything you know is wrong, April 9, 2000

By 

Erik Strommen (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years (Library Binding)

about Santa Claus. A wonderful book that unearthes a forgotten past where Santa was quite more spooky than he is now, and has ties to our much deeper past than just the current neo-Christian myths we are fed each year. A great book, easy to read, highly recommended.