The Hidden History of Holidays

De: Hannah Harvey, The Great Courses

Narrado por: Hannah Harvey

What are the origins of dressing in costume for Halloween? Why did the barbecue grill become an iconic image for Father’s Day?

From Halloween costumes to patriotic parades to belly-busting meals, every holiday tradition tells a unique story—one encoded in symbols and layered meanings that stretch back over the centuries. In 19 lectures, professional storyteller Dr. Hannah B. Harvey takes listeners through the seasons and investigates the surprising stories behind seemingly odd holiday traditions. Dr. Harvey explores the social, political, and performative history of holidays, ranging from Hanukkah and Mardi Gras to Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving, illustrating the way traditions survive across time and cultures.

In these fascinating lectures, Dr. Harvey turns the spotlight on the histories of American and international holidays, and listeners will discover the answers to such questions as:

• How did Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria save Christmas from disappearing into obscurity in the 19th century?
• Why is "Auld Lang Syne" considered the "official" song of New Year’s celebrations?
• How did the iconic masculine images of fishing rods, barbecue grills, and lying in hammocks become synonymous with Father’s Day?
• Why should we thank ancient Rome’s Romulus and Remus for Valentine’s Day?
• To what cultures do we owe such loveable creatures as Easter bunnies and spring-predicting groundhogs?
• Why did Puritans seek to stamp out Christmas celebrations in America?
• How are the ancient Roman festival of Hilaria and today’s April Fool’s Day alike?

The Hidden History of Holidays is an eye-opening and entertaining look at what makes these festive celebrations so pervasive and powerful. By the end of these lectures, listeners will never think about greeting cards, broomsticks, or barbecues in the same way again.

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Wonderfully entertaining and enlightening

Wow I love Hannah’s personality, spunk, and storytelling magic. Also, I was so impressed by how little I knew about such common holidays, they have such great depth! This was a glorious listen.

Great revelation of history.

Loved it. Full of very interesting facts and observations of history and the Holidays we celebrate.

Interesting and informative

while portions are appealing they are diminished by the author's apparent lack of research - specifically when dealing with issues or events regarding faith based history. For example she credits Henry VIII for reducing saint days when such decisions occured under Elizabeth I. Recomend a listen but carefully.

Intriguing

very interesting in-depth analysis of the origins in traditions of our holidays! Bull of information long forgotten by passed down tradition. but more than just the holidays the author has tangents that discuss for instance burial tradition in history while she's discussing the memorial day lecture. very useful and intriguing facts about the origins of many human customs.

interesting and informative

Excellent detail. Interesting living histories mixed with historical fact and legend. Some holidays the author focused on her own family's history and traditions more than I enjoyed. My teen and preteen didn't enjoy this much. But listening to each holiday as it occurred in the calendar month gave them a learning opportunity without the frustration of listening to this author in too long doses. She has a pleasant voice; easy to hear in the car or over head phones. Worth a listen to expand understanding of holidays in the USA.

MUST LISTEN - incredible performance

Has it all! Thoroughly researched and informative, UNBELIEVABLE voice performance, wonderful storytelling. Such a fun topic! 100000000 stars ✨⭐️🌟⭐️✨

Excellently performed

I really enjoyed the histories, I felt like there were several stories or information that were left out and random side stories that were added that didn’t feel like they added to the history of things more her personal viewpoints on certain things. I would definitely listen to it again, but I felt like there were some things that were missing that at least to me have been fairly common knowledge as to origins. But I did learn a lot.

Delightful and fascinating

In depth, entertaining and delightfully narrated. This work was educationally entertaining from start to finish and I'll be listening to this one again. Well done!

Excellent & knowledgeable look at origins of major holidays

Hannah does an amazing performance of material. This is lecture series is very detailed yet the delivery of material is entertaining. This will be one I repeatedly listen to in the future especially at the particular holidays referenced.

Wonderful Storytelling

Great selection of holidays and associated information. A top notch story teller that keeps you engaged from the first to last word.