Deck the Hall: The Stories of our Favourite Christmas Carols

What an absolute gem of a book. It's much more than a history of carols. Gant has one of those rare minds that can bring together strands from so many different histories: language, literature, music, dance, church, societal and political histories all gather in this book. Our understanding of the wonderfully complex and fertile soil which has enabled the birth and nourished the development of the carols we all think we know so well is hugely enriched. It is meticulously researched and beautifully presented, and yet is anything but dry. Gant's writing rolls merrily with wit and love, and it is a joy to read. I shall be giving it to everyone for Christmas!