The Christmas stories of 19th century America provide a window into American history itself. These stories reflect the values and politics of pre- and post-Civil-War America, in addition to chronicling the makings of our modern Christmas celebration.
That's the topic of the new book, Christmas Past: An Anthology of Seasonal Stories from Nineteenth-Century America. The author, professor Thomas Ruys Smith from the University of East Anglia, joins me in this episode for a Christmassy literary tour through a century — with many surprises along the way.
This is our final episode of September. One Ber Month down, three to go! Stay subscribed for more Ber Month fun leading up to the "official" Christmas Past season, starting on Thanksgiving Day.
Share your Christmas memories on the podcast! Record a voice memo into your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast at g mail dot com
Music in this episode
"Allie Mine" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
Today, we're returning to an old crowd favorite: the game where you have to spot the lie! Test your Christmas spirit, deception detection, and knowledge of the 80s with this all new Ber Months bonus episode.
Join me, along with Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter and Gerry Davilla from Totally Rad Christmas for a game of two truths and a lie. This game has a special twist. Its a three-round game, taking place on three different podcasts! On Christmas Past, you'll hear round one, where yours truly quizzes Todd and Gerry on Christmas of 1980 - 1983.
Stay subscribed for more Christmas fun throughout the Ber Months, and into the Christmas season.
Music in this episode
"A Peaceful Winter" — Scott Holmes, via Free Music Archive
Brian reads the 1896 short story, The Burglar's Christmas, by Willa Cather.
Welcome to another Ber Months bonus episode, sugarplums! I love these classic Christmas stories to help me get into the spirit. Today's story is bit of a 'prodigal son' story that takes place on Christmas Eve.
tay subscribed for more fun and surprises throughout September and October, and beyond.
It's never too early to send a Christmas memory to appear on the show this year. The earlier the better, actually! Record a voice memo into your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast [at] g mail
Music in this episode
"On Top of itTAL" — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music Archive
It's one of the strangest cases from the pages of American Military history. A Christmas party in 1826 at the United States Military Academy at Westpoint that spun out of control, and would be known forevermore as the Eggnog Riot.
Welcome to the Ber Months, everyone! Christmas Past is back to bring some Christmas cheer to the early fall, as we ramp up to the official Christmas season. Stay subscribed for more fun and surprises throughout September and October, and beyond.
It's never too early to send a Christmas memory to appear on the show this year. The earlier the better, actually! Record a voice memo into your phone and send it to christmaspastpodcast [at] g mail
Music in this episode