Includes bibliographical references (p. [285]-287).

Editor's preface -- Foreword -- My earliest memories -- Nicholas, bishop -- Leaving home -- Why the calendar changed -- Beginning of magic -- Felix and me -- Carving out our fortunes -- Layla -- Travels with Attila -- Arthur of Britain -- Dark Ages -- "Let's give gifts of toys!" -- Man who changed Christmas -- Gunpowder, chimneys, and stockings -- At court with Columbus -- Christmas legend of Saint Nicholas -- Hard times in the New World -- Reunion in America -- Diedrich Knickerbocker and "Silent Night" -- Reindeer fly, and so do I -- Christmas Carol -- "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" -- Theodore Roosevelt and our North Pole home -- Happy Christmas to all -- Santa's favorite recipe -- Resources -- Acknowledgments.

A journalist recounts his personal interview with Santa Claus at the North Pole after St. Nick himself refuted points in a Christmas paper the author was writing, during which his subject shared the actual story of his life, in a tale written to be read during the weeks before Christmas and based on legendary beliefs as well as historical information. It all started when Jeff Guinn was assigned to write a piece full of little-known facts about Christmas for his paper, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. A few months later, he received a call from a gentleman who told him that he showed the story to an important friend who didn't think much of it. And who might that be? asked Jeff. The next thing he knew, he was whisked off to the North Pole to meet with this very important friend, and the rest is, well, as they say, history. An enchanting holiday treasure, The Autobiography of Santa Claus combines solid historical fact with legend to deliver the definitive story of Santa Claus. And who better to lead us through seventeen centuries of Christmas magic than good ol Saint Nick himself? Families will delight in each chapter of this new Christmas classic; one chapter per each cold December night leading up to Christmas!