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The Secret History of Christmas Audible Audiobook – Original recording

Bill Bryson (Author, Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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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.

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  1. Listening Length
    3 hours and 3 minutes
  2. Author
    Bill Bryson
  3. Narrator
    Bill Bryson
  4. Audible release date
    November 22, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  7. ASIN
    B0BJVW1C2L
  8. Version
    Original recording
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 3 hours and 3 minutes
Author Bill Bryson
Narrator Bill Bryson
Audible.com Release Date November 22, 2022
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Original recording
Language English
ASIN B0BJVW1C2L
Best Sellers Rank #4,826 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#16 in Political Science (Audible Books & Originals)
#75 in Historical Study (Books)
#249 in History (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • venrbook
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely delightful !
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Read by the author (the only way to enjoy Bryson, I feel) this is a delightful look at the history of Christmas traditions around the world, with the added bonus of the author's personal stories of Christmas in Iowa compared to the UK and other great bits of memoir! Laugh out loud funny. Highly recommended.
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  • J. Hertl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bill Bryson's latest work on audio.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This holiday narrative is only available on audio recording, as Bill Bryson has officially retired from writing. It is, as always, very amusing and informative. You can see the culmination of years of writing in this, his final work.
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  • S McHenry
    3.0 out of 5 stars Great Christmas Trivia Source!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2023
    (3.5 stars)

    Such an interesting, seasonal audio book to listen to! There's loads of fascinating research, answering many questions about or curiosities around the Christmas holiday. It's a short listen, packed with interesting tidbits and a great source for holiday trivia.
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  • At The Tabernacle
    1.0 out of 5 stars Worthless Purchase
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This CD was NOT able to be read ... so it was worthless!
    One person found this helpful
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  • ugot2begood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such an informative, yet entertaining, book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
    If you like to laugh while you learn and you’re interested in Christmas, I predict that you will enjoy this audiobook. It’s a free listen if you are an Audible member.
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  • tex-ann
    5.0 out of 5 stars A true Christmas gift.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2023
    A humorous look at the history, traditions and customs of the Christmas season. Mr. Bryson explains historical Christmas by examining what we see, why it is significant and how it came to be part of Christmas traditions. Loved it, laughed out loud.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • gypsynorma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, Another CLASSIC From BILL
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Superb Item, Ideal Christmas Gift, Thank You
    Report