The Secret History of Christmas

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

A cornucopia of Christmas delights from the bestselling author of A Short History of Nearly Everything and Notes from a Small Island.

Christmas is the single biggest annual event on the planet, a time for merry-making, over-indulgence, peace, goodwill, and the occasional family row. It’s as comfortable and familiar as a pair of old shoes and yet still glittery and exciting. But what do you really know about it? It’s stuffed full of traditions and rituals that most of us have been observing all our lives without having the slightest idea of where they come from.

Why is it called Boxing Day, for example? Why do we sing about Good King Wenceslas – who wasn’t a king and possibly not even good? What’s the story behind Christmas crackers? Who would have guessed that one of our most popular Christmas carols began as a kind of semi-pornographic Welsh folksong? And how did St Nicholas, a bishop from the dawn of Christianity, turn into the plump and jolly figure of Santa Claus with a flying sleigh and a home at the North Pole?

Christmas, and how it got that way, is full of surprises. Join Bill Bryson to reach into this Christmas stocking and pull them out – along with the inevitable tangerine.

©2022 Bill Bryson (P)2022 Audible, Ltd

Classic Bryson, short but sweet

Nice little holiday treat. Thanks, Audible. This delivered all the little historical tidbits I’ve come to enjoy in Bill Bryson’s books. There’s a touch of dry humor as well. Bryson’s voice is sounding a tad frail in places, and a few words were hard to catch, but I enjoyed the performance. (And to be fair, my own hearing is a tad frail in places.)

Fun and informative

Bill’s books are such a good listen/read every time. Interesting to learn so many facets of Christmas.

Bill Bryson is the G.O.A.T.

Bill Bryson is my favorite author for weaving a humorous and entertaining narrative while still providing depth of learning and objectivity. I could literally listen and read about anything he wishes to discuss...and I do! I know more about Christmas than I'll ever need!

Love the book and loved bill Bryson

Bill Bryson never fails. I love his books. He makes Christmas so interesting and fun.

Always enjoyable

Always an interesting read/listen with an edge of humor- definitely recommend, you will learn something