Try free for 30 days
-
The Secret History of Christmas
- Narrated by: Bill Bryson
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
The Secret History of Christmas
Buy Now for $16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's 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.
What listeners say about The Secret History of Christmas
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Govern
- 22-11-2022
Easy and interesting listen
Good historical view of Christmas. Really great. Narration is brilliant. Covers all the main areas.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pam
- 26-11-2022
Fantastic
Fun and informative. Created with humour and knowledge. I can’t even begin to imagine the research required. Loved it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-12-2022
Excellent, fascinating and a great voice
Once again Bill Bryson is hugely entertaining bringing to life in a variety of perspectives on Christmas as well as the facts and fiction behind. A perfect read in the lead up to Christmas and thank you audible for making this available to everyone.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rukai
- 24-12-2022
Interesting history of Christmas
An interesting listen on Christmas time about the past and coming of age of Christmas worldwide. Bill's voice is monotonous at times but his writing was quite interesting. worth a listen over your Christmas tipple
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Simon
- 01-12-2023
Classic Bryson
What a thoroughly, enjoyable listen. I highly recommend a listen, every holiday season. Fun, entertaining and educational.. classic Bryson.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-12-2023
Insightful
You can really appreciate the amount of research that has gone into writing this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the history of Christmas.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Katrina Steffens
- 20-10-2024
Another gem by the author. Very interesting and great humour.
Bill Bryson books are always fascinating and well researched, and written with wonderful wit and sarcasm.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeremy Bird
- 25-11-2022
Fantastic.
In a word, fantastic. Bill has done it again with this fascinating book all about Christmas. Thanks Bill.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 01-12-2022
The Secret history of Christmas
I will listen many times to this history of the”best day of the year”!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- David Priddy
- 29-12-2022
Light Christmas History
Enjoyable trivia of Christmas Past and present. Bill Bryson’s stories are always better in his own voice.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!