Product Review

The history of Christmas dates back thousands of years and it has spawned as many traditions as it has questions. This special collection takes a look at the beloved holiday from a number of perspectives. Trace the emergence of Christmas from pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice. Learn how Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to the English-speaking world in 1841. Take a revealing look at iconic stories including the three wise men and the Star of Bethlehem and see what some modern-day scholars now believe is fact and what is fiction. Learn the history of Santa Claus, from the actual life story of St. Nicholas to modern-day takes on the legend such as The Santa Clause and beyond. Finally, discover the amazing history of Christmas celebrations during wartime from the bitter chill of Valley Forge to the blistering sands of Desert Storm. Witness incredible tales of unspoken cease-fires, when enemy troops have discarded their uniforms and hostilities for one night. It s an intimate, moving look at the way fighting men reconcile the reality of war with the celebration of peace, an unforgettable portrait of humanity at its most human.

HISTORY CLASSICS: THE HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAYS: CHRISTMAS contains 7 documentaries on 4 DVDs.

DISC 1: Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas / Biography: Santa Claus
DISC 2: In Search of Christmas
DISC 3: The Real Story of Christmas / Modern Marvels: Christmas Tech
DISC 4: Christmas at War / The Christmas Truce