Reviews

The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra by Adam C. English

sandra_broadwill's review against another edition

4.0

I was reading this for research, not enjoyment. But it was pretty enjoyable and very informative. I appreciate the author's dedication to separating myth and legend from historical fact, when there is very little record of the actual person to piece together. The author wove together a cohesive and straightforward narrative. It's definitely tinted through a theologian's lens, but he presents all of the information to let the reader decide.

For readers who might pick this up to learn more about Santa Claus, this is not the book. This is about Saint Nicholas of Myra, the (most-likely) real person that did some good deeds and was alive at the right time in the development of Christianity to be swirled in with a lot of pagan beliefs and therefore became larger than life after death. 

ma1's review

2.0

We actually know very little about the life of the true St. Nicholas of Myra. Certainly not enough to justify a full length book. So the author padded his book with myths, legends, and other tangential material. It reads like a college term paper, not a professionally published book. I found it disappointing and a little boring in places.

craftmomma55's review against another edition

4.0

Well, I didn't actually finish this book before it had to go back to the library. What I did read of it was very good, though. It even initiated a night of scripture study when I got to the part about the Council of Nicea and their debate and eventual decision about the Holy Trinity. I would recommend it.