Christmas in America: A Photographic Celebration of the Holiday Season

by Peter Guttman

Nothing reminds us of the good things in lifefamily, friendship, food, and good cheermore than Christmas. With stunning images and illuminating text, award-winning photographer Peter Guttman offers a dazzling overview of the wintry landscapes, traditions, ceremonies, spectacles, and pastimes of the holiday season throughout the United States. Delve into the landscapes and streetscapes of Christmas in America and you can almost smell the frosted scent of snow-covered pines, of chestnuts roasting, and of family meals being shared. In the East, we find the spirit of the season in a cozy Vermont country inn, or an army of elves in a Philadelphia parade, or the sweeping grace of the sugar plum fairies in the Nutcracker Suite. In our heartland, we dogsled through a crystal wilderness in Minnesota, discover blazing bonfires in Louisiana, and explore regal plantations aglow in Mississippi. The snowy cliffs of the Grand Canyon, steam trains weaving high amongst the Rockies, the textured pueblos of New Mexico, the almost heavenly night sky of Utah's Monument Valley, and the indescribable glazed beauty of Yosemite reflect the West. With these vistas, and more, Peter Guttman captures what is so magical about us and our land. Like the holiday season itself, Christmas in America is a treasure.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Photography

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photographs are stunning. Truly. It should be noted Christmas in the book includes winter and New Year's as well. His geographical division of the US is unique. (Louisiana as a heartland state?). This comment is more about the plantation than Guttman - there is something off about a plantation decorating slave quarters in Christmas Lights, even plain white lights. The plantation was Poplar Grove Plantation in Louisiana. Please note there is a Poplar Grove Plantation in North Carolina which is totally different, is a historic site, and seems to be/have included focused information on the enslaved peoples there, if the website is any indication. The one in Louisiana advertises itself as a dining and wedding venue.

I want to visit the one in North Carolina, but not the one in Louisiana.

[MKF · Rating 1 out of 5]

Random collection of photos that is suppose to be of Christmas but includes lots of winter scenes and some of New Year. I guess I can't blame him for not knowing the difference between Christmas and winter since he sorted the photos into three chapters east, west, and the heartland.
It may be a shock to all that Louisiana is now considered part of the heartland but then again it seems many people get confused about the states in the Midwest or America's heartland. Think of it this way if it's south or southeast of Missouri it's known as the south and the northwest is well north and west of let's say Nevada.

[William Razavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing series of well curated photographs of Christmas scenery grouped by regions. A quick read with good descriptions and a refreshingly festive thing to look at in the middle of a July plague lockdown.

[Coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photographs are amazing. This book made me nostalgic for things I've never even experienced.

[Joe V Gossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes Christmas

I like to read anything about Christmas. A nice fun book for a time you want to read but don't want to think. I learned a lot from this book.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read during the blackout of '08...

This photography book shows the various ways that Christmas is celebrated throughout America. I like that it focused primarily on nature and the outdoors. I feel the need to visit Oregon in particular. (It also made me excited for my tip to Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia this December...if it's anything like the way it's portrayed in this book I'll probably not want to return!)

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly photographs, but I learned a bit also.