Best-Loved Christmas Carols: The Stories Behind Twenty-Five Yuletide Favorites [With 25 Classic Carols on CD]

by Ron Clancy

Book Overview

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly." "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." "Good King Wenceslas." These are just three of the beautiful, enduring Christmas carols featured in this lavish book and CD set--and every one has become an integral part of the holiday. Exquisitely illustrated pages showcase fine art from the world's great museums and libraries, along with fascinating information on each carol and its lyrics. The audio recordings come from widely renowned musical ensembles, and a superlative introduction provides historical perspective, with background on the origin of carols, the influence of medieval guilds and Mystery plays, and carols from different eras.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402741871
• ISBN13: 9781402741876
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Sterling Publishing (NY)
• Length: 109 Pages
• Weight: 1.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.7" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Best Loved Christmas Carols

For anyone who loves Christmas music, this is a must book. Not only do you get a CD with the 25 most popular carols and hymns you also get the history behind each song. The history tells you where it originated and the inspiration behind writing the song. This was the second copy of this I purchased. The first one I gave as a Christmas gift, liked it so much I bought one for me any my family. I highly recommend this wonderful illustrated book.

Christmas Carols

This book is fascinating in that it provides little known facts about the well-known Christmas carols that we hear and sing each year.

Great Background on Popular Christmas Carols

I saw the author of this book interviewed on EWTN's Bookmark and was interested in reading the book based on his insights. The book delivers, not only do you get a great overview of each carol's history, but a cd is included that has an excellent version of the carol--so you can listen and read at the same time! This would make an excellent Christmas gift (early) for a school teacher who might be looking to give his or her students some background on the origins of popular Christmas carols.

Great Christmas Gift!

I was looking to buy a unique gift for someone special when I heard about Best-Loved Christmas Carols. After some investigating, I purchased it and when it arrived several days later I was thrilled with it. The fine art and stunning images jump right off the pages! And it was most interesting learning about the origins of carols as I listened with great pleasure to the magnificent CD that was part of the package. This is no ordinary Christmas gift! I highly recommend Best-Loved Christmas Carols for anyone with an interest in Christmas and its music.

A Brighter, More Joyful Christmas!

After having purchased and thoroughly enjoyed the first of Mr. Clancy's "Millenia Collection" - the "Best Loved Christmas Carols" - I'd like to commend its author for providing me and my family with such immense pleasure this past Christmas season. This package of beautiful musical selections and fascinating anecdotal reading will be a coffee table conversation piece and family heirloom for many Christmas seasons to come For my money, anyone interested in learning more about Christmas carols and their origins should purchase this wonderful product. Frankly, if the rest of Mr. Clancy's "Millenia Collection" is anything close to this initial offering's breadth of historical perspective and musical offerings, all fans of Christmas music and its history should be in for a fantastic treat. I know that we can't wait to treat ourselves to more of the same, and we intend to add the others in his collection to our own family's musical library. Mr. Clancy, thank you very much!!