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Niall Edworthy

The Curious World of Christmas: Celebrating All That Is Weird, Wonderful, and Festive Hardcover – October 7, 2008

by Niall Edworthy (Author)

23 ratings

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A fascinating miscellany that celebrates all things Christmas from the author of The Curious Gardener?s Almanac.

Drawing from more than two thousand years of history and culture, this collection of anecdotes, customs, tips, and recipes features more than 1,000 entries honoring one of the world?s most celebrated holidays. This unpredictable, addictive gem weaves in famous quotations, traditional sayings, verses, and wisdom to create a book that will be enjoyed long after the Christmas tree is down and the turkey leftovers finished off. Each page yields tidbits on everything from the real reason why December 25th was chosen as the celebratory day and a 19th-century turkey recipe to the origins of kissing under mistletoe and statistics showing why Christmas is proven to be more stressful than divorce or burglary. Chapter topics include:

? Farting Dwarves and Peacock Pie (or, How Our Ancestors Celebrated Christmas)

? Will the Real Father Christmas Please Stand Up (or, The Origins of Santa Claus)

? Happy Reunions, Terrible Tantrums (or, Christmas and the Family)

? Reindeer Sausages and Minced Coffins (or, Christmas Food and Drink)

? And much more

With enough curiosities to intrigue, amuse, and enlighten even the grumpiest Scrooge, this is the perfect gift book for anyone who counts down the months until their favorite holiday.

Print length

192 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Perigee Books
Publication date

October 7, 2008
Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

0399534571
ISBN-13

978-0399534577
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Niall Edworthy is the author of more than a dozen books including The Curious GardenerÂs Almanac.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Perigee Books (October 7, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399534571
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399534577
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,057,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,330 in Christmas (Books)
- #19,486 in Inspiration & Spirituality

Customer Reviews:
23 ratings

About the author

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Niall Edworthy

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Niall Edworthy has been writing for thirty years. A former reporter for broadsheet newspapers and the international wire agencies, AFP and Reuters, Niall began writing books in 1997. He is the author of over forty titles, most for the big publishing houses, many of them ghosted for well-known names (actors, musicians, sportsmen & television personalities), others for ‘ordinary’ people with extraordinary stories. He has written in a wide range of genres, mainly biography, history and natural history but also humour, sport and recently, in fiction. His first novel, Otto Eckhart’s Ordeal, was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Best Published Novel Award 2021. He is currently finishing his second novel. He lives in West Sussex, UK.

Customer reviews

5 star		49%
4 star		22%
3 star		17%
2 star		12%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Karen E. Awong

The Curious World of Christmas

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2009

Verified Purchase

This book is full of wonderful trivia such as, there was no rationing in Britain during Christmas 1939, Origin of kissing under the mistletoe, and quotes from the likes of Pope Paul VI to P.J. O'Rourke on Christmas.

Read about how our ancestors celebrated to how Christmas was during the war. There is something for everyone.

My favorite was "The Night Before Christmas Legally Speaking." It was a kick.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Thomas A. Kernan

Probably worth the read.

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2015

Verified Purchase

Kind of a light book but worth the read for those liking the history of the holiday season.

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2014

Verified Purchase

great book

Helpful

The King's Jester Known for More Than His Jokes and Other Tales

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2011

This is a gift-book sized volume that is, nevertheless, crammed with Christmas goodies: quotations both for and against the holiday (George Bernard Shaw's nay vote prominent in the text), odd things that used to be done during Christmas celebrations, such as the Asses' Mass, where a donkey was ridden into church and both the priest and the congregation were encouraged to bray, and just plain oddities, like King Henry II's jester who was known for his farting. The book is written in an informal, conversational style that does have a few scatological references--apparently those courtly old medieval types were really fond of farting and rude words relating to bodily elimination--sure to make teenagers giggle.

Edworthy also traces the holiday history through the ages, Christmas symbols and customs, with text, diary entries, newspaper and magazine excerpts, etc., with iconic little drawings scattered within the text. A great book for next to the bed before Christmas, where you can read two passages or two pages.

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2014

I loved my copy and had to get one for a friend. Everything from pagan and medieval customs that have filtered down to us to long-forgotten practices like choosing a boy bishop or celebrating the Feast of Fools is covered in this little book. As an added plus, the old-world sepia sketches add just the right touch.

Helpful

Jay Rice

Christmas Tradition = Read this Book

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2011

I love this book! About 4 years ago I was looking for a Christmas book to learn more about the history of the holiday traditions. This book was/is a perfect choice. It is packed with little known facts and interesting stories of Christmas throughout history. I only wish the book was a little longer.
Every year around the holidays I enjoy sitting next to my fireplace and reading this book to recall the traditions of days gone by. This is a great read to get into the holiday spirit and learn a few things about Christmas.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Veronika

A miscellaneous collection of facts about Christmas.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2022

Verified Purchase

Interesting; i love Christmas and enjoyed learning some of the more arcane facts assembled. However it seemed a bit hap-hazard and repetitive, I especially liked the accounts of what happened to people working on Christmas Day. I read it from cover to cover this year, an may well dip into it in future years.

Beth

About Christmas

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2010

Verified Purchase

My friend bought this book and when I saw it I was very curious about it. I love Christmas and it is very nice to know the roots of traditions. The book is full of interesting comments about the myths and religious adaptations throughout the centuries. Very enlightening!

S P McDade

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2014

Verified Purchase

Arrived promptly and exactly as described, thank you

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The Curious World of Christmas: Celebrating All That Is Weird, Wonderful, and Festive Hardcover – October 7, 2008

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Niall Edworthy

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