Jeff GuinnThe Autobiography of Santa Claus: A Revised Edition of the Christmas Classic (The Santa Chronicles)

I think this is my 4th time reading this book. I love the history in the timeline, but it’s still told as a story, not a history book.This book is what taught my daughter to leave out milk with goat cheese and crackers for Santa.It’s a fun read for believers and nonbelievers alike.

I loved this book! I always liked reading about the origins of Christmas and how the traditions came to be. This is a great book for that. Guinn gives a good background on Saint Nicholas and also World History. This is a great read aloud book for families as there is little to no violence not anything else that could be considered inappropriate. Highly recommend!!

This a wonderful "autobiography" of Santa Claus. I would classify this type of story as Fantasy fiction. So you have to keep that in mind as you read this story and know that anything is possible. The story starts out with Nicholas being born in 280 AD. He has humble beginnings as someone who wants to do good and give gifts to the needy. As time goes along he picks up followers and becomes immortal. The followers he picks up are mostly well know people throughout history. His first "helper" is a slave in whom he buys his freedom. Felix is his name and becomes his main sidekick throughout this journey. Some of his well known followers are none other than Atilla the Hun, Arthur as in King Arthur, Leonardo DaVinci,St. Francis of Assisi,Benjamin Franklin and then later in the 20th century, Teddy Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. He also has extensive meetings with two literary giants in Washington Irving and Charles Dickens. As you can see this gets just a little cumbersome trying to keep up with all of these figures. Just a little too much for me. Also the name of Saint Nicholas wife is a little perplexing, Layla. I just can't imagine that being the name of Santa Claus's wife! Anyway the author ties all things together that we know about Santa very nicely and explains most questions we ever had about him. It is a very pleasant and quick read. Just keep in mind that it is fantasy and don't be surprised what can take place with a little magic.

I absolutely loved this book! Loved how the author applied so many historical characters in this fun story. Although it's not a children's book, it seems to be at a reading level for young teens and the content is certainly appropriate for that age. My new holiday reading tradition will be to rotate each chronical every Christmas. I highly recommend this book, which will definitely get you into Christmas spirit!

The hook is a little long winded. However, I liked the first half of the book, as it coveted a time in history that I'm least familiar with. The spirit of giving is always a great message. Great read for the holiday season.

A very clever story as told by the man, himself. When, why, and how. Even as the explanations of the "hows" come to light they still retain the aura of magic. Christmas magic!

I can't even imagine how long it must have taken Jeff Guinn to research and piece together this unusual book, but the hard work was worth it. "The Autobiography of Santa Claus" is part novel, part history, and something that anyone who loves Saint Nicholas will be grateful to read.Guinn tracks down the origins of nearly all pieces of the Santa Claus legends and pieces them together, beginning with the birth of Nicholas in 280 A.D. He traces a life that lasts over 1700 years and explains how every well-known story of Santa Claus came to be, mixing in science with magic and throwing in actual historical figures to color the piece. (You'll never believe who some of Santa's "helpers" actually turn out to be.) He takes the character through the dark ages, through the Victorian era, mixes him in with European and American history and literature and finally brings it all together in the present day.The book doesn't have much of a climax, but that's because it is written as an "autobiography," not a novel. The stories just stop because they've all been told... for now. That's part of the miracle -- the knowledge that Santa Claus will outlast us all and continue bringing his true gift, hope, to children all over the world long after you and I are gone. It's a wonderful book,and for people who love Christmas, I can't recommend it enough.

My daughter read this book for a homeschool co-op class and she really enjoyed it!

I’ll always remember this book fondly. One of my absolute favourites especially because it’s a Chapter-a-Day countdown book for Christmas. I always read a Christmas book in December and ones that are divided already are my fav. I bought this second copy for a book exchange.

I am known for my love of Christmas and this helps so much with the magic. Fascinating facts left me wanting to know more about the newer generation of helpers!

装丁がかわいらしかったので、わざわざハードカバーを購入したのに、届いた品物は表紙の天がつぶれていました。内容とともに、この時期にこの本を室内に置いておく喜びも味わいたいと思ったのに、表紙がこれでは…。背表紙もつぶれていたので本棚に立てるとこの一冊だけ上辺にくしゃっとしわがよっていて、本当にがっかりしました。あまり目立たないとはいえ裏表紙も傷がついています。何かが激しくこすれたような傷で、コーティングが剥がれてみすぼらしくなっています。書籍をとても雑に扱っているのだなと思わずにはいられません。これは、本を大切にしたい、長く手元に置いておきたいと思っている者からすると不良品のレベルだと思います。

This is a great book to read to children for a build up to the Magic of Christmas.

I am one of Father Christmas's official helpers and you can never have enough information for those awkward little questions the children throw at you