Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men: The Origins and Evolution of Saint Nicholas, Spanning 50,000 Years

This is an interesting book discussing the amazing similarities of half man/half beast (wild men) mythologies among different cultures and across time but the author's connection between these creatures and Santa Claus is dubious, at best. Frankly, most of the book has nothing whatsoever to do with Santa Claus but dwells upon anecdotal stories of these wild men as the true origin of Santa Claus. Early in the book, the author recounts the traditional stories about Saint Nicholas and his morphing into the "Santa Claus" the entire world knows today. The author does note the important role the penmanship of Washington Irving and Clement Moore (or Henry Livingston, according to the author) played, as well as the drawings of Thomas Nast. Astoundingly, however, she fails to even mention the enormous impact Coca Cola advertising had on our image of Santa today. The book then introduces us to a Pennsylvania Dutch character named "Pelznichol" and the author makes a weak and farfetched attempt to connect this guy to the Santa Claus we know today. The book suddenly goes haywire for almost two hundred pages.

Engrossing and intriguing... but the scholarship is dubious. No footnoted citations. Some theories are based on flimsy evidence. The sense that the author cherry-picked examples distracts from an otherwise fascinating read. Many of the connections are thin... the author attempts to draw conclusions based on undocumented events and highly interpretive legends (like trying to draw historical conclusions from Roman legends or Greek mythologies). That said, the book details an impressive slew of forgotten traditions, beliefs, and mythologies from around Europe, that most people have probably never heard of today. Worth reading simply to learn about these holidays and legends.

This is essential reading. I've bought it several times now, for myself and as gifts. It is a deep history of the Western soul, linking all sorts of traditions and myths -- Santa, Satan, Pan, Robin Hood -- going back for millennia and stretching across northern Eurasia. Parts are speculative, but all of it makes sense. Some recitations of customs in various places get repetitious, but you can skip the details if you wish.

Very Interesting. Great comprehensive look at roots of Santa mythology. Book goes beyond the cursory explanations that other books have.

Pulls together research from various sources. Will have to go back to some of those sources, however, to evaluate conclusions. Good place to start if you’re interested in the subject.

Did you ever wondr where Santa camne from. Well here's a book that tells the evolution of this beloved character that filled children with wonder and fear each time Christmas came.

If your looking for a good read on acient origins of Santa Claus I recommend this book. It got me thinking about that the Jolly Old Elf has been around alot longer than most major religions, countries and nations today. This Jolly Elf that flys through the night with reindeer has transformed and evolved for 50,000 years like the title says.

Great book - brand new. Fast shipping.

This book is for people like me who like to get to the bottom of the origin of things - Santa is no execption. The author takes you on a tour around the world of where the Santa stories originated and how they merged into the Coca-Cola figure we recognise today.The book is of particular interest to people who want to understand more about the forest dwelling 'wild men' of Europe.

vERY GOOD BOOK , I M VERY HAPPY TO HAVE IT . tHE BOOK WAS SHIPPED VERY QUICKLY . fANTASTIC, I WILL USE AMAZION AGAIN