The Autobiography of Santa Claus

By: Jeff Guinn

Narrated by: John H. Mayer

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jump on Santa's sleigh for a journey through 17 centuries of Christmas magic!

This enchanting holiday treasure combines historical fact with glorious legend as Saint Nicholas himself reveals the definitive story of Santa Claus. From his birth in Lycia to meeting Mrs. Claus and all of his helpers, Santa relates the tale of how he spread his message of generosity and the goodness of giving across the world.

Families will delight in every entertaining chapter of this holiday classic, one for each cold December night leading up to Christmas!

©2004 Jeff Guinn (P)2004 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

History and Christmas

I really enjoyed this story. It's entertaining for both young and old and has just enough history to make it interesting and keep the book going. I would highly recommend this for a family trip to the grandparents or where ever the family is driving for Christmas. The narrator is top notch and fit very nicely into my concept of what Santa should sound like...and who knew Santa would be so touchy about his weight? :-) And as for Atilla - I believed it - salvation at Christmas time.

a nice idea

This is a nice idea for a holiday listen, Santa's evolution and development down through the years. In order for the story to work, however, one must accept the concept that Santa collects historical figures for his "merry band" of helpers. These helpers become Santa's toy makers and aid Santa in their distribution. These helpers also aid Santa with the completion of other points in history that new listeners will discover for themselves. The reader was a perfect choice, the production was top notch, however I couldn't make the previously mentioned leap to make to story work. Attila the Hun making toys in Santa's workshop??? No, I don't think so.

Excellent to listen to! Loved it!

If you don't believe in Santa, don't purchase this audio. This is not a book for the cynics. It's a book for the innocent and childlike at heart.

However, if you believe in the magic of Christmas and are still a child at heart, you must listen to this book. The narrator is terrific! He sounds just like Santa should sound like. The story also takes you on a historical ride through the ages. Excellent! I would love to read this aloud to my students (if the school district would allow it....)

Warm and Seasonal

I listened to this book two years ago. It is for both adults and children. Other reviews say that the book is written for children. I disagree because I don't believe children will know the historical facts and figures in the story. It is actually for adults who once believed in Santa Claus. I believe the book gives the illusion that Santa is alive and well in a veil of truth and magic.

Great Christmas Book for Children!

Certainly a fabulous book to read to children before Christmas. Adults might not enjoy it as much because of the repetition and the fantasy involved. The book moves right along and the narrator was excellent........9 hours was a bit much and I probably would have been just as happy with an abridged version.

Interesting

fun listen, but got long and was predictable at end. Reads much like Forest Gump.

A Christmas Tradition

Would you listen to The Autobiography of Santa Claus again? Why?

I will absolutely listen to this book again. In fact, I plan to make it a Christmas tradition. The story is not only enjoyable, it is inspiring. It feels like it really could be the Autobiography of Santa Claus

What other book might you compare The Autobiography of Santa Claus to and why?

I haven't read it yet, it I'm guessing How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas will be a nice companion piece. I should add, however that after reading this one I'm inspired to revisit some of my Dickens favorites.

What does John H. Mayer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I'm not honestly sure how to answer that question. It is enjoyable, easy to listen to, and see in my mind's eye as he reads it. This would have still happened if I read it alone,but perhaps, the voices of the characters would have differed. I can securely say he gave Santa a voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me happy.

Any additional comments?

I will recommend this book to all of my friends and family every year as I begin my official start of the Christmas season. (Caution friends: as you know that is June 1 in my mind. So be prepared.)

A story that will be in my heart for years to come

What a wonderful Christmas story. This story takes place over 17 hundred years of the life of Saint Nicholas and how he became Santa Claus. The story reviles how he started and all of his adventures of himself and companions thru the ages. starting from 300AD until present, and you would not believe who his companions are. The story even tells how the reindeer came to fly. I loved the story so much, I went and bought the book so I can read to my kids. This story will be in my house and my heart for years to come. This story is a must for all readers..

Who's the audience?

Although there's interesting material here about the origins of the (probable) real St. Nicholas, as well as his evolving image, it's written and read in a way that suggests the audience is children... though I'd say kids would get bored, since it contains the kind of info that a historical biography does. So I'd say the audience for this is probably an adult who's obsessed with Santa...

Too much history for my taste

The story was good but was weighed down by endless retelling of history. It is a fantasy story and would have been better with less history