Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus

The History of the Man and the Character Behind the Most Popular Christmas Traditions

By: Charles River Editors

Narrated by: Colin Fluxman

Christmas is the most important holiday of the year. After the corresponding days that exalt the national pride of each country, such as Independence Day in the United States, Victory Day in Russia, or Bastille Day in France, it's December 25 that articulates the life, the work, and the economy in much of the world, including many non-Christian countries. Since ancient times, the beginning of winter has been the occasion for most people to eat, drink, dance, and get together to beat the drum and take a break.

Especially since the 20th century on, the days adjacent to the holiday have become an occasion to do big business. The winter season is the most solid stimulus for the economy - more than any fiscal package - since the incomes of families, spending, credit, and consumption in all productive sectors are significantly increased. In the United States alone, Christmas sales are estimated to generate $3 trillion.

One of the most important figures constantly brought up during the Christmas season is Saint Nicholas, despite the fact most people know little about him. In the 21st century, Saint Nicholas has been reduced to a pretend, adorably portly grandfather-type, a visual often accompanied by a fleet of magical reindeer and a bustling workshop staffed by endlessly cheerful elves. Most assume, quite understandably, that Saint Nicholas was the fount of inspiration that Santa Claus' myth weavers steadily drank from over the centuries. While this is accurate to some extent, it is important to remember that the parallels between Saint Nicholas and the present-day Santa Claus marketed by mass media are actually quite limited.

As a result, this internationally celebrated figure has become more fiction than fact. However, when historians peel back the superficial layers of whimsy and caricatural perkiness swathed around his name, an image arises of a far more complex and fascinating character who did more than kick off the timeless tradition of gift-giving. Nicholas was not just a seasonal gift-giver, but a philanthropist who dedicated his life to helping the disadvantaged. He was not just a beloved bishop, but a fierce defender of the faith who remained undaunted in the face of persecution. To brand him a pious and God-fearing individual would be a massive understatement - indeed, he was, to those around him, the definition of a walking divinity, and an unrivaled miracle-worker sent straight from Heaven.

©2019 Charles River Editors (P)2019 Charles River Editors

Very interesting!

Not my Favorite narrator but really interesting facts and background of saint Nicholas and Santa Claus and how they came together. Really enjoyed the different cultural takes of Santa Claus and Saint Nick.

mythological garbage touted as documentary fact

what a load of garbage! this is a contradictory mess of religious mythological fantasy told as a factual documentary though the events happened over 2,000 years ago. Saint Nicholas here is credited with actually more works of miracles than Jesus himself... poorly written... it actually contradicts itself inside the same paragraph much less multiple contradictions every couple of minutes, the narration is extremely poor the book is boring to listen to and I requested a refund

Not Very Good.

I didn't much care for one of his other books, and this one is no better. I was willing to give Editors a mulligan. But to no avail. I won't be purchasing any other titles of his. Decent history, yes; but it's the details, his means of relaying it(the history), that I find myself arguing with regularly.