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The Secret History of Christmas
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
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The Secret History of Christmas
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about The Secret History of Christmas
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marie B
- 08-12-22
You have to love Bill Bryson.
I listened because I wanted something shortish and couldn't sleep.
So glad I did. History is always fun, but improves so much when the writer loves their topic and the narrator gets properly involved. When they are one and the same, so much the better.
The History of Christmas as we know it is full of accidental myth, polluted with false claims and often just plain misleading.
In three hours or so you will be able to dazzle people with your in depth knowledge. Not a bad choice for Boxing Day afternoon with a nice drinking and your feet up and headphones on.
Cheers, Bill.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 28-11-22
Fascinating
This is a succinct and very enjoyable account of the history of Christmas. How wonderful that Moira from Schitt’s Creek was available to narrate.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- B
- 29-11-22
short listen but entertaining
narrated by bill Bryson, such a relief as his other books have lost that certain something when read by others
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Graham G.
- 04-12-22
Bad narration
He sounds like he has a cold he just can't shake. 3 more words required.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- msw194
- 17-12-22
Well researched
A fascinating trip through the history of Christmas. Not really a story, but entertaining and enlightening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee Rich
- 04-12-22
Everything Bill reads himself is gold
Love Bill his works. especially love them in audible form and when he reads himself as here. a festive gem of fascinating origins information delivered in a relaxing and calming way.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- angela chrispin
- 03-12-22
Good subject for Christmas
I found the different dates according to different Countries confusing, I would have liked more reasons.
More recent customs fascinating.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Caroline Berridge
- 22-12-22
Just right
I have given the performance 4 stars instead of five because I find the voice and accent a bit funny. Bill Bryson should have gotten a deep voiced crooner to read the book aloud.
Otherwise it's all just right!
Tons of interesting historical facts, well paced and with warmth. It gives the festive season a historical field of depth.
I will listen to it again next December, if not tomorrow.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Samoens
- 29-11-22
Fun and interesting
Loved this! Bill Bryson narrates his own work -which can be a little flat - but doesn’t spoil the fun and interesting content. Really good to listen to whilst out walking etc. great.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Emily
- 02-12-22
Fascinating, witty and informative
I imagined the voice coming from a pleasant middle aged hippy in a rocking chair, flicking his hair out of his eyes. Great blend of information and entertainment and very evocative.
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