There is no better subject for this week’s Book Bite, the first of Blogmas 2022, than Santa himself. Although Santa will not be visiting many Western homes until 24 or 25 December, St. Nicholas will be visiting many homes around the world next week. People will often argue- what should this gift-bringer even be called? Gerry Bowler’s fascinating biography covers the evolution of the figure we now know as Santa. This week’s Book Bite is looking at Santa Claus: A Biography.
Santa Claus: The Biography, Gerry Bowler
He is the embodiment of charity and generosity, a creation of mythology, a tool of clever capitalists. The very idea of him is enduring and powerful.
Santa Claus was born in early-nineteenth-century America, but his family tree goes back seven hundred years to Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Intervening generations were shaggy and strange — whip-wielding menaces to naughty boys and girls. Yet as the raucous, outdoor, alcohol-fuelled holiday gave way to a more domestic, sentimental model, a new kind of gift-bringer was called for — a loveable elf, still judgmental but far less threatening.
In this engaging social and cultural history, Gerry Bowler examines the place of Santa Claus in history, literature, advertising, and art. He traces his metamorphosis from a beardless youth into a red-suited peddler. He reveals the lesser-known aspects of the gift-bringer’s life — Santa’s involvement with social and political causes of all stripes (he enlisted on the Union side in the American Civil War), his starring role in the movies and as adman for gun-makers and insurance companies. And he demolishes the myths surrounding Santa Claus and Coca-Cola.
Why You Should Read This…
I must admit to being biased with this recommendation. In my undergraduate days, I was lucky enough to study the history of Christmas with Gerry Bowler and learn from the leading scholar. (Yes, the history of Christmas is a very small field, but there are people who study it!) He is a fascinating historian, and has published several of my favourite books on Christmas.
Santa Claus: A Biography is one of those books that you did not know that you needed but you will not be able to put down. This was written for a wider audience but is absolutely a history book- it is not as casual as many of the current history books out there. However, that is this book’s strength.
A lot of people will argue on and on. “He should be called St. Nick!” “No, it’s Santa Claus…” And depending on which version you are talking about and when you celebrate your main holiday, either is correct. Bowler takes us through the many iterations of Santa, including a wonderful section on the original Bishop of Myra that the legends are based on.
I think that the section on the modern Santa, including that famous Coca-Cola Santa is the strongest, though. It is one of those topics that is rife with urban legend and Dr. Bowler cuts straight to the chase.
Is Santa Claus: The Biography on your holiday to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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