From Library Journal
Crump, a retired physician with a longtime interest in Christmas, presents more than 340 entries on subjects "which have remained Christmas treasures through popular association and usage over decades...and which place strong emphasis on Christmas as depicted in the popular media." The brief entries include television specials, holiday episodes of television series, movies, cartoons, literary subjects, biblical events, secular events, and various holiday observances around the world. Despite the title, the book includes Hanukkah and Kwanzaa along with other worldwide holiday celebrations and covers the Christmas season from Advent through the Epiphany. Plentiful cross references are found throughout. The article on Mexico, for example, includes cross references to "Las Posadas," "Central America," "South America," "Candlemas," "Epiphany," "Feast of Fools," "Holy Innocents Day," "Mass of the Rooster," "Nativity Scene," and "Poinsettia." The detailed index makes the material even more accessible by referencing the performers, producers, writers, and actors of the songs, movies, and television shows cited as well as some historical figures. Six pages of references include books, periodicals, and web sites. There is very little duplication with Tanya Gulevich's Encyclopedia of Christmas, which focuses on history and tradition rather than popular culture. And while the smaller if more highly illustrated World Encyclopedia of Christmas (McClelland & Stewart, 2000) does focus on popular culture, the subject is so vast that there is little duplication here, either. All three books work well together. Highly recommended for all public libraries. Laurie Selwyn, San Antonio P.L.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
This work contains a wealth of information about the Christmas holiday, from its inception around A.D. 350 to the present day. The entire Christmas season from Advent through Epiphany is covered in more than 340 entries. Both religious and secular observances; Santa Claus and other mythical beings who bring gifts; Christmas symbols
(Christmas tree, Poinsettia, Yule log); sacred and popular carols and music; and Christmas customs in the U.S and around the world are well covered in detailed articles. Many countries that celebrate the holiday extensively have their own articles
(France, Czech Republic, Mexico ); others have a subsection under regional groupings like
Africa and
Asia and the South Pacific. There are also many articles on Christmas as portrayed in the popular media--literary works, motion pictures, and television specials. Examples of entries include
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas seals, Christmas stamps, Eggnog, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Miracle on 34th Street, New Year's Day, Salvation Army, and
Winter solstice. See references, an index, and a list of references are well done. There are many interesting historical illustrations in black and white.
Other recent Christmas titles are Encyclopedia of Christmas (Omnigraphics, 2000) and The World Encyclopedia of Christmas (McClelland & Stewart, 2000). The former has 186 entries; the latter has more than 1,000 entries and a section of color plates, though it suffers somewhat from the lack of an index. It seems a library can never have too many Christmas books around holiday time, so public libraries, in particular, that already own one of the other titles should consider adding The Christmas Encyclopedia. With its festive subject, extensive information, and exuberant spirit, the book would be an asset to any collection. RBB
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