Were They Wise Men Or Kings [Hardcover]

The approach of this book, and its rather conventional illustrations, give every evidence that we are meant to understand it as a children's book, an easy guide to Christmas. Don't be fooled: Walsh writes with great clarity and verve, and he thinks well enough of children, not to mention the rest of us, not to tell any flat lies. For example, he answers the question of the authorship of Visit from St. Nicholas with a clear exposition of the very recent and very heated debate over the merits of Henry Livingstons Livingston Jr. vs. Clement Moore. This brief but smart and memorable book, more than worth its weight in Christmas candy, is highly recommended.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Joseph J Walsh is Associate Professor of Classics and History at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.