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169 reviews for:
The Autobiography of Santa Claus: A Revised Edition of the Christmas Classic
Jeff Guinn
3.62 AVERAGE
169 reviews for:
The Autobiography of Santa Claus: A Revised Edition of the Christmas Classic
Jeff Guinn
3.62 AVERAGE
The writing was mediocre and the story itself moved pretty quickly (meaning it kind of lacked depth) but overall, I really enjoyed it!
This is the "autobiography" of Santa Claus. Written from the perspective of Saint Nicholas, he begins his story at the year of his birth, 280 AD. He grew up in a Christian home and was well educated and of financially comfortable means. Nicholas always felt that he should share his wealth with the people of his home in Lycia, and at the advice of his priest Philip, he found ways to enter the homes of poor families while they slept and left items and money that were needed. By being secretive, he was able to help these families without hurting anyone's feelings of pride. Nicholas grew up to be a bishop in the church and continued to bless local families in need. He eventually branched out beyond his home but had developed a following and was eventually sainted after locals believed he had passed away. Secretly, Nicholas had simply moved to new areas where he could be of help to those without. He also realized that he was not aging the way many his age were. Allowing him to continue giving secret gifts for hundreds and thousands of years.
Along the way, Nicholas meets many people that learn of his timeless circumstances and his secret of gift giving to children throughout the world. Some of these people included historical figures such as Attila the Hun, Leonardo Di Vinci, King Arthur, and Benjamin Franklin. Even Teddy Roosevelt got in on it and had Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus in America, name a toy, the Teddy Bear, after himself. Santa also meets his wife Layla, who is eventually known as Mrs. Claus. The story ends when Santa makes his home at the North Pole.
This book was an interesting concept and I particularly enjoyed the first 1/3, learning some of the historical backstory to Saint Nicholas. However, it turned into a bit of an implausible story as the historical characters that Santa met along the way, joined with him and lived throughout the centuries as his helpers. It was hard to think that Leonardo Di Vinci lived centuries, along with King Arthur and Atilla the Hun. That's when the unbelievable was truly unbelievable. I think it would have been better if Santa met these characters and moved on to met others that would help for those specific eras. I do think it was an interesting story and I know there are other books in the series, so I will revisit these other books in the future for Christmas reads. I think this is worth reading, but a little on the hokey side. Others may not be bothered by historical characters living forever.
Along the way, Nicholas meets many people that learn of his timeless circumstances and his secret of gift giving to children throughout the world. Some of these people included historical figures such as Attila the Hun, Leonardo Di Vinci, King Arthur, and Benjamin Franklin. Even Teddy Roosevelt got in on it and had Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus in America, name a toy, the Teddy Bear, after himself. Santa also meets his wife Layla, who is eventually known as Mrs. Claus. The story ends when Santa makes his home at the North Pole.
This book was an interesting concept and I particularly enjoyed the first 1/3, learning some of the historical backstory to Saint Nicholas. However, it turned into a bit of an implausible story as the historical characters that Santa met along the way, joined with him and lived throughout the centuries as his helpers. It was hard to think that Leonardo Di Vinci lived centuries, along with King Arthur and Atilla the Hun. That's when the unbelievable was truly unbelievable. I think it would have been better if Santa met these characters and moved on to met others that would help for those specific eras. I do think it was an interesting story and I know there are other books in the series, so I will revisit these other books in the future for Christmas reads. I think this is worth reading, but a little on the hokey side. Others may not be bothered by historical characters living forever.
An 'autobiography' of a favorite holiday celebrity. I enjoyed this very much. There are some historical inaccuracies but overall was enjoyable. It ties in all of the elements one would want Santa Claus to talk about from how reindeer fly, to A Christmas Carol and on to Coca-Cola advertising. A perfect pre-Christmas read to get me in the right mood.
This was a delightful read even though it got to be just a bit far fetched. A story cast in the first person as the autobiography of Santa Claus himself, it follows him from his birth in 280 AD as Nicholas up until this century.
It was interesting in the way we got to see bits of history throughout that tied into the story of Santa Claus and also how there were 24 chapters, a chapter for each night of December leading up to Christmas. It was far fetched in how we not only seen so many historical figures throughout but how they all played a pivotal part in Santa’s history. Everyone from Atllia the Hun and Leonardo da Vinci to Ben Franklin and Amelia Earhart. However, it did give some explanation for example how Santa became immortal, how his reindeer fly, how he met Mrs. Claus and how he ended up in the North Pole. The illustrations were also a nice touch. I think this would be an enjoyable read for anyone who likes history or anyone with children to read to throughout the month of December.
3.5 stars
It was interesting in the way we got to see bits of history throughout that tied into the story of Santa Claus and also how there were 24 chapters, a chapter for each night of December leading up to Christmas. It was far fetched in how we not only seen so many historical figures throughout but how they all played a pivotal part in Santa’s history. Everyone from Atllia the Hun and Leonardo da Vinci to Ben Franklin and Amelia Earhart. However, it did give some explanation for example how Santa became immortal, how his reindeer fly, how he met Mrs. Claus and how he ended up in the North Pole. The illustrations were also a nice touch. I think this would be an enjoyable read for anyone who likes history or anyone with children to read to throughout the month of December.
3.5 stars
I liked the beginning of the book, and the opportunity to learn as I read, but as I read more and credulity was stretched more and more (yeah, I know this was about Santa, after all), I couldn't take it anymore. My first clue was when Attila the Hun joined up with them, and by the time Amelia Earhart ditched her flight to join Santa, I'd had more than enough.
I don't mind reading revisionist history at times, but now I'm afraid I'll be confused on some things. When I'm finished with a book, I love it when I went to read more to learn more, but not to have to fact check. I give this a 3 due to the clever idea and research it involved, but the rating kept sinking as I read on.
I don't mind reading revisionist history at times, but now I'm afraid I'll be confused on some things. When I'm finished with a book, I love it when I went to read more to learn more, but not to have to fact check. I give this a 3 due to the clever idea and research it involved, but the rating kept sinking as I read on.
This was such a great read, I really enjoyed it. This book was filled with the magic and lore of Santa Claus mixed with real historical facts. And of course it is told by Santa to the author. It was really great to see how the figure of Santa changed over the centuries in different countries.
Blij verrast door deze fictieve autobiografie van Nicholas aka Father Christmas/ Santa Clause/ kerstman. Vanaf zijn geboorte en hoe deze traditie zoals wij hem nu kennen is ontstaan. Ondertussen komt er globaal nog heel wat wereldgeschiedenis voorbij.
Ik heb ervan genoten!
Ik heb ervan genoten!
It’s a cute book but I think it lacks warmth that one would expect from Santa Claus and it’s kind of dated.