Cold War Santa with Sarah Archer

Published in 1980, 'The Official Preppy Handbook' is a satirical guide that explores the preppy culture, including fashion, manners, and social behaviors. The book became a New York Times bestseller and is known for its humorous and insightful look at the upper crust of American society. It covers various aspects such as preppy schools, fashion, drinking culture, and social events like debutante balls. The book's success was unexpected but widespread, especially in the Southern United States, where preppy style was particularly prevalent.

This book is a delightful exploration of cats and their prominent role in Japanese society. It features charming storytelling, numerous photographs, works of art, pop culture, and folklore. Archer highlights various aspects of Japanese cat culture, including cat cafes, designers creating cat costumes, and craftsmen building furniture for cats. The book also delves into the historical presence of cats in Japanese art, literature, and Buddhist folktales, explaining why cats are an integral part of Japanese society.

In this book, Stephen Nissenbaum charts the transformation of Christmas from its origins in ancient agricultural cycles and its early forms as a season of excess and public revelry, to its modern incarnation as a child-centered, domestic celebration. The book details how early Christmas celebrations involved drinking, parties, and social inversion, and how these were suppressed by Puritans and later transformed by New York's elite, including figures like Clement Clarke Moore and Washington Irving. Nissenbaum also explores the commercialization of Christmas and its impact on American culture and social hierarchy.

Midcentury Christmas explores how Christmastime in America transformed from Victorian traditions to a futuristic, Space Age celebration. The book features over 100 colorful illustrations and iconic designs, showcasing the impact of post-war prosperity, new technologies, and suburban culture on holiday decor, gifts, and traditions. It includes vintage how-to templates, holiday recipes, and advice on decorating, reflecting the optimism and consumerism of the era.

This adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' introduces Charles Dickens as a character who presents one of his famed platform readings. The story unfolds behind him, with Dickens weaving in and out of the action, performing small roles, and interpolating narrative passages. The play is highly flexible in cast and design, includes a new carol by Jakes and Mel Marvin, and is suitable for various performing groups. It recaptures the magic and mystique of the original Dickens novel and is praised for its emotional impact on the audience.

The poem, first published anonymously in 1823, tells the story of a family's Christmas Eve encounter with St. Nicholas. It describes the preparations for St. Nicholas's arrival, the noise on the lawn, and the delivery of presents through the chimney. The poem has had a profound impact on American Christmas traditions and the popular image of Santa Claus. Despite its widespread attribution to Clement Clarke Moore, there is ongoing debate about whether Moore or Henry Livingston Jr. was the actual author.