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  • The Secret History of Christmas

  • By: Bill Bryson
  • Narrated by: Bill Bryson
  • Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,280 ratings)

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The Secret History of Christmas

By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: Bill Bryson
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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.

©2022 Bill Bryson (P)2022 Audible, Ltd
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What listeners say about The Secret History of Christmas

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Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Bad narration

He sounds like he has a cold he just can't shake. 3 more words required.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well researched

A fascinating trip through the history of Christmas. Not really a story, but entertaining and enlightening.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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