The Battle for Christmas

This was a great book for explaining the history behind the various Christmas customs that we observe. I was, however, a tad disappointed to have some of my delusions about what constitutes an "old-fashioned" Christmas shattered. But if you really want to know why we go Christmas caroling, or why we drag trees into our houses, the author provides detailed explanations that go well beyond the simple ones that you may have accepted. The book does read like a scholarly work, however, and there were parts that made my eyes glaze over or that I skipped entirely. Overall, though, a good book.

This is not a turkey. Read in front of log fire and smile. (0/0 people found this helpful)

Stephen Nissenbaum has created a wonderful curio in "The Battle for Christmas"and I found it well worth reading. If this subject peaks your interest, I suggest reading the extraordinary "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" by Richard G. Patton. Where Nissenbaum provides a scholarly encapsulation of the commercialisation of one of our favourite holidays, Patton depicts a spiritual giant untouched by orthodox doctrine. Both these books are hugely enjoyable though I think Patton's will fuel more dinner debates. Although comprehensive in it's coverage, the only thing it didn't tell me about, was what to do with all that left over turkey?! The Battle for Chistmas may appear cynical, but I'm sorry to say - I think it's a fairly reasonable represenation of market forces on an otherwise Pagan celebration.

Christmas in the U.S.: the creation of dead white males? (0/0 people found this helpful)

With a highly entertaining style and meticulous research (including dozens of letters, diaries, and newspaper articles), Stephen Nissenbaum takes on the fearsome institution of Christmas in America.

The results of his research answer a few nagging questions, such as why does Santa make all those funny gestures in Clement Moore's poem? And where did the Christmas tree come from, anyway? And why is it especially fashionable to give to charity at Christmastime, when charitable donations tend to run a bit thin during the rest of the year? Surprise, surprise: since the mid-19th century, Christmas in America has been a commercial holiday. Before that, it was viewed with some suspicion, especially by the Puritans, who accurately observed the holiday's Pagan origins. I always wondered why Santa Claus wore that red suit.

A paranoid's Christmas classic (0/0 people found this helpful)

What an awesome performance, S. Nissenbaum's history simply confirms the suspicions of Scrooge-like minds (such as mine) who never got "over it" , who always felt there was something bullying, a tad creepy about the Man in the Red Suit; Santa appears here as a true "Red Menace", who may indeed have "saved" capitalism from itself by shrewdly expanding the entitlement business. His prose, however, is as good-natured and bracing as its namesake's midnight sleigh ride, the whole package crammed with "stocking stuffers" ,details you wanted to know: Xmas to the Puritans, Xmas under slavery are especially memorable.

Stephen Nissenbaum

Reader Reviews:

A real eye-opener (1/1 people found this helpful)

This is not a turkey. Read in front of log fire and smile. (0/0 people found this helpful)

Christmas in the U.S.: the creation of dead white males? (0/0 people found this helpful)

A paranoid's Christmas classic (0/0 people found this helpful)

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