About this item
At last, a truly comprehensive look at Christmas and all of its customs with its long history around the world. The World Encyclopedia of Christmas contains articles on the history of Christmas baking, drinking, and merrymaking, and Christmas dramas, music, literature, art, and films. It includes entries on the evolution of the Christmas tree and the Christmas card, gift-giving, and decoration of church and home. There are profiles of the many gift-bringers, from Santa Claus to Babouschka, and miraculous tales of the numerous saints associated with the season. And there are histories of seasonal celebrations and folk customs around the world, from the United States to Japan, from Egypt to Iceland.Who, for example, knew the links between the Punch and Judy show and Christmas? That the medieval Paradise tree hung with tempting apples was the forerunner of the Christmas tree? About the Peerie Guizers, who terrorized the Shetland Islands, going door-to-door for Christmas charity? Or what Freudians make of our interest in Christmas stockings and Santa’s entrance through the chimney? There are detailed accounts of Wren Boys and Star Boys, mumming and wassailing, the Feast of Fools and the origins of eggnog.
About the Author
Gerry Bowler is a Canadian historian and writer with a special interest in popular culture and its connections to religion. He has won several awards for teaching, trivia, amateur theatrics and 5-pin bowling. He has travelled around the world and never succeeded in paying less than full retail price when haggling with merchants on five continents.
Gerry has written on Bloody Mary, Wayne Gretzky, Christmas, tyrannicide, Renaissance monarchy, pirates, Puritans, The Simpsons, and the relationship between Aristotle and professional wrestling.
He likes the writings of Samuel Johnson, Avram Davidson, Alan Furst, Michel de Montaigne, Ben Pastor, Maurizio di Giovanni and Richard Blake.
