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The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra Paperback – September 15, 2018

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 62 ratings

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With his rosy cheeks and matching red suit--and ever-present elf and reindeer companions--Santa Claus may be the most identifiable of fantastical characters. But what do we really know of jolly old Saint Nicholas, "patron saint" of Christmastime? Ask about the human behind the suit, and the tale we know so well quickly fades into myth and folklore.

In The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, religious historian Adam English tells the true and compelling tale of Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra. Around the fourth century in what is now Turkey, a boy of humble circumstance became a man revered for his many virtues. Chief among them was dealing generously with his possessions, once lifting an entire family out of poverty with a single--and secret--gift of gold, so legend tells. Yet he was much more than virtuous. As English reveals, Saint Nicholas was of integral influence in events that would significantly impact the history and development of the Christian church, including the Council of Nicaea, the destruction of the temple to Artemis in Myra, and a miraculous rescue of three falsely accused military officers. And Nicholas became the patron saint of children and sailors, merchants and thieves, as well as France, Russia, Greece, and myriad others.

Weaving together the best historical and archaeological evidence available with the folklore and legends handed down through generations, English creates a stunning image of this much venerated Christian saint. With prose as enjoyable as it is informative, he shows why the life--and death--of Nicholas of Myra so radically influenced the formation of Western history and Christian thought, and did so in ways many have never realized.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"No, Virginia, there is no Santa Claus. But there was a St. Nick: Nicholas of Myra, that is. More than 1,500 years have passed since Nicholas, a religious rebel and social reformer, embarked on a life journey that led him to devote himself to serving the poor and suffering, and to give away much of the inheritance left to him by wealthy parents. Bishop Nicholas soon became a legendary figure, whose exploits--real and imaginary--live on in the jolly old man we call Santa Claus. But unlike Santa, Bishop Nicholas, understanding Christianity's responsibilities in a hurting world, jeopardized his own security in the service of his fellows. Never safe from his enemies nor understood by his friends, 'Nicholas' life testified to God's gracious hand protecting and providing.' The author, an associate professor of religion at Campbell University, contends that this mythohistorical figure can best be understood when studied in the context of his milieu, the volatile political and religious atmosphere of 4th-century Greece. He presents this understanding very well. (Nov.)"

Publishers Weekly

[English]... contends that this mythohistorical figure can best be understood when studied in the context of his milieu, the volatile political and religious atmosphere of 4th-century Greece. He presents this understanding very well.

Publishers Weekly

... a fresh look at St. Nicholas... English does an excellent job of fleshing out the life and ministry of this man who became a saint who still inspires today.

Library Journal

The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, is both easy to read and developed enough to satiate both the casual reader and the serious academician.

-- Matthew P. Payne, Diocese of Fond du Lac ― Anglican and Episcopal History

The book is distinguished by its beautiful presentation and the occasionally placed black and white images perfectly as a gift for people who expect more from St. Nicholas than just a jam-packed boots.

-- Nathalie Schmitt ― Forum Antike Welt

The Saint Who Would Be Santa is a strong pick for biography and history collections.

The Midwest Book Review

A Must Read!

-- Liza Weidle ― Religion and Faith Examiner

English is a capable storyteller, weaving biographical information about his subject... with rich historical details about his religious and sociological milieu.

-- Dawn Eden, The Weekly Standard

English... builds a convincing case that there really was a St. Nicholas.

The Wall Street Journal

I recommend this book to both scholars and laymen. English is a superb storyteller. The work is well organized and expressed, and the fascinating relationship between the historical person and the mythical symbol of Christmas is enough to compel one to engage the book.

-- Paul A. Sanchez ― Fides et Humilitas

Review

The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus is the best of hagiography combined with the best of secular history, all liberally spiced with the passion and verve of a good biographer in thrall to his subject. Thanks to English, we have tantalizing glimpses of what actually shaped the man into the saint, and both into an icon.

-- Phyllis Tickle, bestselling author of The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why and The Words of Jesus

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baylor University Press; Reprint edition (September 15, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1602586357
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1602586352
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.55 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 62 ratings

About the author

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Adam C. English
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Adam C. English serves as Chair of the Department of Christian Studies at Campbell University, located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. He teaches undergraduate courses on theology, philosophy, ethics, and the history of Christian thought. He speaks regularly in churches and is an avid but non-competitive runner - that is, he runs a lot but not very fast.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They appreciate the accessible scholarship about Nicholas and his life. The book provides interesting details about the life and times of Christians in the 4th century, as well as the context and relationship between the historical person and the mythical symbol.

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11 customers mention "Information quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They say it provides accessible scholarship about Nicholas of Myra, with substantial evidence that he existed.

"...Very accessible scholarship about Nicholas, a coastal region that was Greece and is now Turkey, a period of history in the formative years of the..." Read more

"...English insists that substantial evidence for Nicholas exists...." Read more

"...The book has been well researched from actual documents dating back to 710 AD with information about the actual Nicholas of Myra...." Read more

"...is up to the exacting standards of historical scholarship, it is well researched and its conclusions are not out of line. I enjoyed it." Read more

10 customers mention "Interest"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting. They appreciate the details of history and the context. The author's passion for the subject is evident. The book is a good story for any time of year, with an excellent storyteller and clear explanations of events during Saint Nick's life.

"...in the formative years of the Christian church, and a splendid tradition of giving that prevails far beyond the reaches Christendom." Read more

"...work is well organized and expressed, and the fascinating relationship between the historic person and the mythical symbol of Christmas is enough to..." Read more

"...events that were happening during the life of Saint Nick and I appreciated the context. Its a pretty quick read and I'm glad I bought it." Read more

"...Nonetheless, it is a valuable book. It is a historical review that looks at the legend of Saint Nicholas and compares it to research about the era..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2014
    Was inspired by and displayed this book as part of my Saint Nicholas centerpiece for the Friends of the Library Christmas luncheon, Rockwall, Texas. Very accessible scholarship about Nicholas, a coastal region that was Greece and is now Turkey, a period of history in the formative years of the Christian church, and a splendid tradition of giving that prevails far beyond the reaches Christendom.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2015
    In The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus, Adam English argues that Nicholas of Myra embodies the tension between an historic figure and a mythical symbol. English argues that Nicholas actually lived, against at least a century of doubt among scholars and the more pressing problem of the existence of a mythical symbol called Santa Claus that overshadows any discussion about the historic figure for the broader pubic. English insists that substantial evidence for Nicholas exists. Additionally, the legendary stories that circulated throughout the medieval period and that even influenced the modern American Santa Claus, generally hold some kernel of truth, grounded in the historic person.

    English does not set out to define the development of the Santa Claus myth; this work is a quest for the historic Nicholas. He argues that most people “know that the beloved patron of Christmastime wish-granting has his origins in a vaguely historical personage” (2). He aims to bring this person to light. However, the myth and the man are so closely intertwined that his task is daunting. More importantly, he admits that there is “no early documentation of the man—no writings, disciples, or major acts” (3). English combs through the earliest documents that do exist and key later sources. Additionally, he makes inductive arguments based on extensive background analysis to give greater form to the authentic Nicholas. The historic Nicholas was a man of generosity, conviction, boldness, and was a social, civil, and religious servant.

    English notes his dissatisfaction with recent works on his topic. Authors have contributed little “substance” in terms of historical research, instead being content with mainly repeating folklore (9). English surpasses mere legendary storytelling, but this work is not an example of critical scholarship either. What he offers is a picture of the man Nicholas of Myra, based in the historical record. He emphasizes telling the story over critically analyzing sources. He includes legendary accounts of Nicholas sometimes without asking the questions that historians must ask, regarding whether sources are credible, biased, contradictory, and so forth. However, since he mainly aims to present Nicholas holistically, and to overcome the mythically symbol known today, this work might suit his purposes. To his credit, the limited state of the historical record might require a work like English’s, since the earliest primary document that refers to Nicholas dates approximately two centuries after his death, and the oldest biography dates to the early eighth century. Additionally, Nicholas became such mythical figure in the Middle Ages that the historic person became almost unimportant in light of the hagiographic use of early saints, and Nicholas in particular. English’s endnotes also imply that this work is less of a critical history. He fails to substantiate a number of his claims, either with a primary or secondary source. For instance, when he discusses baptism in the early church, in the context of Nicholas’s baptism, he fails to offer a source to substantiate claims about early Christian baptism (32). At another point, he notes that a scholarly dialog exists about Nicholas’s legacy in Western Europe, but fails to offer a citation (49). When relating modern ethical issues to an ancient Christian understanding of marriage, he offers no citation (68). Later, when he claims that the Apostle Paul founded the church in Myra, he does not include an endnote (90). At other times, he relies on secondary sources, when a primary source seems warranted. When arguing that Puritans in Massachusetts outlawed certain Christmas celebrations and when referencing the Second Council of Nicaea of 787, he relies on secondary sources (37-38). At times when one expects critical analysis of a primary source, he does not offer any, for instance when he describes supernatural details in the account of Nicholas’s giving of the three money bags (67). One expects him to ask, did these things actually occur or does such a record influence how one views this historic document? In those areas where primary sources are especially thin, he relies on extensive background material, based in both primary and secondary sources. This is helpful for understanding Nicholas’s context, and contributes to English’s work of recreating the authentic Nicholas in his historic context.

    English’s work seems poised to have broad appeal. Scholars of ancient Christianity will find it helpful because he engages in a dialog with both primary and secondary sources, even if his approach is somewhat basic. More importantly, this work might begin further scholarly investigation into an historic figure that offers such intrigue. It might also have appeal beyond the realm of professional scholars to a popular audience, as English would want. He does hope to interest scholars, presumably, but he seems to have the broader American public in mind, for whom he hopes to correct the long tradition of a fat, jolly, secular figure almost entirely unrelated to the ancient bishop of Myra. I recommend this book to both groups. English is a superb story teller, the work is well organized and expressed, and the fascinating relationship between the historic person and the mythical symbol of Christmas is enough to compel one to engage the book.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2016
    It was exactly what I was hoping for. The book has been well researched from actual documents dating back to 710 AD with information about the actual Nicholas of Myra. Most people believe that our traditions of believing in Santa Claus originated from reverencing Nicholas of Myra. I wanted to find the source from which the traditions of Santa Claus began.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2014
    I really liked this book. I appreciate that English took the time to go back to the earliest sources. He also does a great job explaining events that were happening during the life of Saint Nick and I appreciated the context. Its a pretty quick read and I'm glad I bought it.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2013
    This book made for interesting holiday reading. Nicholas of Myra is an interesting early Greek church "father" whose kindness and good works form the basis for the modern mythical figure who shows up every December. I'm sure it does no harm whatsoever to get some isight into how this may have happened. While I'm not sure this book is up to the exacting standards of historical scholarship, it is well researched and its conclusions are not out of line. I enjoyed it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2023
    This is a great book. If you want to research and understand the true Saint Nicholas look no further than this book. It's a great read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2014
    I usually try to read an upbeat book during advent directed at the Christmas season. I started this book last year at that time, unfortunately it was not quite what I was looking for, so I went onto something else and set this book aside to and ended up finishing it this year. Nonetheless, it is a valuable book. It is a historical review that looks at the legend of Saint Nicholas and compares it to research about the era and locale where he lived. The results are quite interesting.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2019
    Was a true education vs the worlds veiw on how Christmas started and what it’s really about because it was never about Christ’s day of birth . But it is about the spirit of giving without notoriety.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Luiz Fernando P. S.
    4.0 out of 5 stars São Nicolau: origens históricas do papai Noel
    Reviewed in Brazil on January 21, 2021
    Nessa obra do teólogo Adam C. English temos uma pesquisa feita a partir de variada documentação histórica a respeito de Nicolau de Mira (sécs. III-IV), cujo culto se ampliou pela Idade Média, especialmente por conta do culto à suas relíquias e dos relatos hagiográficos, a ponto de São Nicolau ser um dos santos mais representados pela arte cristã. Conhecer parte dessa história é compreender as origens do Papai Noel, uma das entidades míticas mais importantes das tradições natalinas. A edição da Baylord University Press é muito boa, eu apenas gostaria que o aparato iconográfico fosse maior e que as fotos fossem coloridas - isso traria maior riqueza à publicação.
  • nathea
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting reading
    Reviewed in Canada on July 25, 2017
    present for my husband. He loves it
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Very good book. Answered a lot of my questions
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2016
    A Very good book. Answered a lot of my questions. Ideal for anybody working within the community, who loves the 'real' spirit of Christmas. arrived on time.