Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men, was a book I sent for during my college days, after the local newspaper ran an article about it one Christmas. Phyllis Siefker wrote the book in answer to question that always confused her: Was the American Santa Claus really a mere Americanization of St. Nicholas transplanted to America by the Dutch? I never thought that seemed quite right, either. What about the origins of the reindeer, the elves, the north pole residence and all that? Wasn't there more to the story?
It turned out there was. A whole lot more.
Siefker's scholarly journey traced Santa back to the "beastmen" featured in winter carnivals, to the Norse God Odin, and further to the satyrs of Greek Myth, Herne the Hunter, and the Green Man of the woods. This was a truly engrossing journey, and you can read the newspaper article below.
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