Description
Book SynopsisHow did Christmas become today's bulging stocking of goodies?
Trade Review"Christmas sits among us like a familiar member of the family - but its history, as told here, is a story-and-a-half. A brilliant book." - Jeremy Vine * Source TBC *
"If you don't know what to get someone for Christmas, and would like to know how you're in this position in the first place - this funny and interesting book could solve both your problems at once." - Milton Jones * Source TBC *
Table of ContentsCONTENTS
Foreword by Chris Evans 10
On my first page of Christmas… 12
Prologos: In the Bleak Midwinter 15
Chapter 1 The First Nowell (4 bc–ad 300) 25
Chapter 2 Roman Holiday (753 bc–ad 325) 49
Chapter 3 Ho Ho Who? (270–1100) 65
Chapter 4 Merrie Olde England (935–1588) 89
Chapter 5 Caves and Carols (1181–1610) 115
Chapter 6 Cancel Christmas (1517–1800) 129
Chapter 7 All is Quiet (1700–1861) 149
Chapter 8 The Night Before (1809–1931) 161
Chapter 9 God Bless Us, Every One (1827–1901) 175
Chapter 10 A Lesson in War (1862–1928) 211
Chapter 11 Through the Marvels of Modern Science (1906–2012) 231
Chapter 12 Bing to Bublé (1934–present) 247
Wrapping Up: Last Christmas… and Next 268
Bibliography 274
The Big Christmas Timeline (Abridged) 276
A Christmas Quiz! 282
