The Solstice Evergreen: History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree

Rating:
Summary: Wrong subtitle
Review: I purchased this book with the expectation of reading a history of the Christmas tree. This is not a history book by any stretch of the imagination. It is simply a disconnected collection of myths and stories about trees in general. A great disappointment. If you want to have a few insights into the history of the Christmas tree read The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum.

Rating:
Summary: In-depth research with unique and profound insights
Review: It is so very hard to find out about Winter Solstice without being inundated by Christian information, even though the symbolism OF Christmas predate Christianity be hundreds or thousands of years. The author is Jewish and she celebrates the Solstice Evergreen without the 'Nativity', just like I do. I find great inspiration and courage in her. Christmas as the birthday of Jesus is a human invention, the Winter Solstice and the Evergreen is the real thing.