First, a confession: I have not read this book cover to cover. This is more of a beautifully illustrated reference book giving the history of each Christmas Carol. It comes in a boxed set with 3 CD's (47 songs). The book has almost 100 beautiful Christmas images including Saturday Evening Post covers, Currier and Ives Lithographs, N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Grandma Moses, ...even art from private collections and the Ukrainian National Art Museum. Wow!When I leave this book on my coffee table, visitors ask where they can buy one.I like the fact that I can look up the words to all of those songs that I keep playing on my CD player.