This episode features a fascinating conversation with Tom Jerman, author of "Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers." The discussion explores the origins and evolution of Santa, touching on the traditions and diverse figures that have inspired the iconic holiday character. Jerman shares insights into ancient midwinter celebrations, the transformation of St. Nicholas into Santa, and the cultural variations of gift-bringers around the world.

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Receive a 25% discount on Tom Jerman's book when purchased from McFarland's website by using the code BESTPART at checkout: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/santa-claus-worldwide

FEATURED TITLE & DESCRIPTION

Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers. McFarland, softcover (2020) ISBN: 9781476680934 mcfarlandbooks.com/product/santa-claus-worldwide

DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK

This is a comprehensive history of the world’s midwinter gift-givers, showcasing the extreme diversity in their depictions and the many traits and functions these characters share. It tracks the evolution of these figures from the tribal priests who presided over winter solstice celebrations thousands of years before the birth of Christ, to Christian notables like St. Martin and St. Nicholas, to a variety of secular figures who emerged throughout Europe following the Protestant Reformation. Finally, it explains how the popularity of a poem about a “miniature sleigh” and “eight tiny reindeer” helped consolidate the diverse European gift-givers into an enduring tradition in which American children awake early on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought. Although the names, appearance, attire and gift-giving practices of the world’s winter solstice gift-givers differ greatly, they are all recognizable as Santa, the personification of the Christmas and Midwinter festivals. Despite efforts to eliminate him by groups as diverse as the Puritans of seventeenth-century New England, the Communist Party of the twentieth-century Soviet Union and the government of Nazi Germany, Santa has survived and prospered, becoming one of the best-known and most beloved figures in the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Retired attorney Tom A. Jerman lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

ABOUT MCFARLAND

McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, McFarland is recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. They have about 8000 unique works for sale and each year publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.com

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