Title
The Battle for Christmas: A Cultural History of America's Most Cherished Holiday,Used
Processing time: 1-3 days
US Orders Ships in: 3-5 days
International Orders Ships in: 8-12 days
Return Policy: 15-days return on defective items
Payment Option
PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST Drawing on a wealth of research, this 'fascinating' book (The New York Times Book Review) charts the invention of our current Yuletide traditions, from St. Nicholas to the Christmas tree and, perhaps most radically, the practice of giving gifts to children.Anyone who laments the excesses of Christmas might consider the Puritans of colonial Massachusetts: they simply outlawed the holiday. The Puritans had their reasons, since Christmas was once an occasion for drunkenness and riot, when poor 'wassailers extorted food and drink from the welltodo. In this intriguing and innovative work of social history, Stephen Nissenbaum rediscovers Christmas's carnival origins and shows how it was transformed, during the nineteenth century, into a festival of domesticity and consumerism.Bursting with detail, filled with subversive readings of such seasonal classics as 'A Visit from St. Nicholas and A Christmas Carol, The Battle for Christmas captures the glorious strangeness of the past even as it helps us better understand our present.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Battle for Christmas'? A: 'The Battle for Christmas' explores the evolution of Christmas traditions in America, examining how historical events and cultural shifts transformed the holiday into its modern form.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Stephen Nissenbaum, a renowned historian known for his work on cultural history.
- Q: When was 'The Battle for Christmas' published? A: The book was published on October 28, 1997.
- Q: Is 'The Battle for Christmas' suitable for academic study? A: Yes, this book is well-researched and presents a detailed historical analysis, making it suitable for academic study in cultural history and holiday traditions.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'The Battle for Christmas' is available in a paperback binding, making it flexible and easy to handle.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 400 pages filled with insights into the cultural history of Christmas.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as 'New', indicating it is in pristine condition.
- Q: What genre does this book fall under? A: 'The Battle for Christmas' falls under the genre of Humor & Entertainment, with a focus on cultural history.
- Q: Does the book discuss any specific Christmas traditions? A: Yes, the book delves into various Christmas traditions, including the origins of St. Nicholas, the Christmas tree, and the practice of giving gifts.
- Q: Can this book help me understand modern Christmas practices? A: Absolutely, it offers insights into how historical practices have shaped the contemporary ways we celebrate Christmas today.