Santa Claus: a biography

by Bowler, Gerald

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Title Statements

Full title :Santa Claus : a biography / Gerry Bowler.

Summary

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 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.

Edition Statements

Publication Date:2007, c2005.
Edition:Trade pbk. ed

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):McClelland & Stewart
Place of Publication:Toronto
Language:eng
Publication Date:2007, c2005.

The Physical Object

Description:ix, 278 p., [16] p. of plates : : ill., ports. ; : 23 cm.

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:9780771016684, 0771016689
oclc:ocn190964919
LC Classification:GT4992
Dewey Decimal:394.2663

His long gestation and obscure birth -- His youth and character development -- Santa as advocate -- Santa the adman -- Santa the warrior -- Santa at the movies (and in the jukebox too) -- Does Santa have a future?