The Ultimate Christmas Cracker

by John Julius Norwich, Julian Fellowes (Introduction)

In 1969, John Julius Norwich, the legendary popular historian, gathered together the favourite things he'd come across in the last 365 days into one short charming pamphlet. Initially just a treat for his friends, it rapidly turned into a huge word-of-mouth success. And soon the arrival of John Julius Norwich's latest 'Christmas Cracker' became as essential a part of the English Christmas experience as holly and mistletoe.

Norwich had a brilliant eye for a story and telling detail, and his Crackers are full of jokes, warmth and wit. Here in one bumper book is his final and 50th Christmas Cracker, alongside all the very best bits as picked out by his daughter Artemis Cooper. This is the perfect Christmas gift.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction

212 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

John Julius Norwich was an English historian, writer, and broadcaster known for his engaging books on European history and culture. The son of diplomat and politician Duff Cooper and socialite Lady Diana Manners, he received an elite education at Eton, Strasbourg, and Oxford, and served in the Foreign Service before dedicating himself to writing full-time.
He authored acclaimed works on Norman Sicily, Venice, Byzantium, the Mediterranean, and the Papacy, as well as popular anthologies like Christmas Crackers. He was also a familiar voice and face in British media, presenting numerous television documentaries and radio programs. A champion of cultural heritage, he supported causes such as the Venice in Peril Fund and the World Monuments Fund.
Norwich’s wide-ranging output, wit, and accessible style made him a beloved figure in historical writing.

Reviews

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got halfway through this past Christmas and plan to finish December 2024. Love it so far!

[Totos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was piqued, amused and charmed. Not everyone will like it these days, as the tone is highly educated and some may feel, elite. But if you’re smart in the ‘humanities at university’ sense, you’ll find it funny.

[Clive · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s difficult to rate and review a book such as this, as it’s a cornucopia of many varied tales, poems and anecdotes gathered by the author over several years.
Consequently, they are a mixed bag. Some entries are amusing, while others I felt fell flat.
There were a few entries which I found hilarious and laughed out loud, though regrettably there weren’t enough of these. And some, as mentioned by others, were not in English but in French or Latin, and should have had English translations.
Overall though, it was an enjoyable read, though I found the title ‘The Ultimate Christmas Cracker’ misleading as there’s very little of Christmas in this book.

[Sharon Bollen · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Julius Norwich was a keeper of a Commonplace book; a book where amusing and surprising stories, poems, quotes, riddles, extracts from books and letters are collected together.
The Ultimate and sadly the last Christmas Cracker brings together some of the highlights from the previous books, I have found them funny, surprising, baffling (my translation skills not being up to working out word puzzles in French), sometimes sad but always entertaining. Makes me want to dig out my own Commonplace book again and find some crackers of my own.

[Kate Jenner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm surprised by the number of good reviews for this book. Had it not been so short, I would not have finished it. Filled with excerpts of 'amusing' literature the author had seen each year, it was came across as rather pompous. If you are going to quote poems in French or Latin, at least give a translation so it is accessible to everyone. Not everyone had the opportunity to study Latin. Name dropping and self congratulations abound in this book, but I found it dull and elitist.

[Mark Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book to dip into for a chuckle or two. Insightful compilation, and really jolly good fun too! I’ve straight away bought the illustrated edition of another of his books as a Christmas gift to myself :)

[Reading Fury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun tidbits, gossip, and history all in one. I started this book last November, but dipped in and out of it over the months. This cracker is to be savored, not gobbled.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolutely hated this, perhaps a bit of expectation that it would be somewhat Christmas themed, but it wasn't at all, and the humour was also exactly what I expected from a posh old dude, which isn't a criticism, but it just wasn't my kind of humour.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

2022 Update

As enjoyable as before. An interesting and humourous read.


Original Review

A very fun and enjoyable collection of excerpts from books, correspondence, diaries and so on. Not Christmas related beyond the title. John Julius Norwich seemed such an interesting man, I would have loved to have had a conversation with him. Recently passed but his excellent works on history live on to be enjoyed by readers.

[Tom Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather fun. Not the best compendium I’ve stumbled across but rather charming nonetheless.