When Santa Was A Shaman: Ancient Origins of Santa Claus & the Christmas Tree [Paperback]

Tony van Renterghem (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 1995

Yes, there is a Santa Claus -- and this provocative book will tell you who he really is! Travel back in time to view Santa's pagan origins -- and his fascinating connections to the Horned Shaman, the Greek God Pan, the Norse god Wodan, and Robin Hood. Learn how we are influenced by this ancient myth everyday. Based on ten years of extensive research.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tony van Renterghem (Netherlands) works as a semi-retired writer, researcher and consultant.  He was born in Amsterdam and served in the Resistance during World War II, was condemned to death by the Nazis and escaped.  For 30 years he worked in the movie industry, where he was technical advisor on such films as "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told."

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (August 8, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156718765X
• ISBN-13: 978-1567187656
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, and thoroughly enjoyable, April 25, 1999

By 

[e-mail] or Mary-Frances O'Brien (Portland, Maine , USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Santa Was A Shaman: Ancient Origins of Santa Claus & the Christmas Tree (Paperback)

Mr. van Renterghem's - spelled correctly, with a small "v" - presentation of Santa's ancestors, arguments of religious beliefs aside, are certainly thought provoking. Even though not specifically cited argument by argument, the research appears to be extensive and thorough --judging by the number and variety of sources (12 pages of references!)used, and leads one to further study.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I even bought extra copies for gift-giving, most particularly to my friends and acquaintances of the religious persuasion -- who lament the "descent" of the secular American Santa Claus of today, from the Saint Nicholas of yesteryears.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars new look at Santa, January 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: When Santa Was A Shaman: Ancient Origins of Santa Claus & the Christmas Tree (Paperback)

While van Renterghem does give his readers a heavy dose of neo-Paganism, and makes some overgeneralizations(for example: he suggests Coca Cola invented the red suit, but evidence exists that Santa in red was probably a part of the Christmas culture before the ad campaigns began; he suggests that Celtic and Nordic cultures are so similar that it is difficult to separate them, but in reality the two cultures are unique and independent of one another),his hypothesis is not without merit. Early church leaders did Christianize earlier pagan symbols and celebrations, and I thought the association of Santa with Odin (who did serve as a shaman in Nordic myths) eye-opening. In short, I found this book to be entertaining and a very easy read. Whether you like it or not, it will make you think, and for that I give it four stars.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, September 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: When Santa Was A Shaman: Ancient Origins of Santa Claus & the Christmas Tree (Paperback)

I loved this book! I would recomend it to anybody. It makes you think about things in different light then I have previouly looked at them before and I conider myelf a very open minded person. The reading is fairly easy. The information eems to much to be shoved in a 208 page book. Authors opinions sometimes clouds the facts and meddles them up a bit. But all in all a wonderful book! Great gift giving for anyone willing to open the mind some. Merry Xmas to all!