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Praise

for Angels We Have Heard: The Christmas Song Stories:

• Click here to read a letter of praise for this book written by Christopher May (son of Robert L. May, who wrote the 1939 book, Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer)

• Click here to read a letter of praise for this book written by Hugh Martin (co-author of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas")

• "Your book is quite something!  I had no idea it would be so...so...so...grand.  Really over the top...full of color prints, stories...history.  Really amazing.  I have enjoyed the story of 'Here Comes Santa Claus' as well as all the other stories, and so have my friends.  Congratulations on a wonderful resource and gorgeous book."  -- Ginia Desmond (nee Long, nee Haldeman, daughter of Oakley Haldeman, who co-wrote "Here Comes Santa Claus")

• "Angels We Have Heard arrived in yesterday's mail.  It is beautiful, complete, thoughtful and so well-crafted.  I congratulate and thank you."  -- Frank Pooler (co-writer of The Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling")

• "This is a wonderful HUGE hardcover book for the Holidays (At a GREAT price)! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I was fortunate to assist, along with DOROTHY IVES, on the lengthy BURL IVES chapter and it features quite a bit on JOHNNY MARKS and ROBERT L. MAY as well! If you like CHRISTMAS music and are a fan of classic CHRISTMAS LPs and films, this is the book for you! Much of the sheet music covers are featured full page! This book includes RARE Stills, letters, movie posters, etc. JAMES ADAM RICHLIANO makes his literary debut with a BANG!" -- Rick Goldschmidt (author of The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass and The Making Of The Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)

• "I received your beautiful book yesterday.  Thank you.  I immediately started to read it and could not put it down.  Being a history buff and a music buff, your book is just fascinating!"  -- Michael Ellis (Managing Editor, Billboard Magazine)

• "I cannot tell how exciting and wonderful it was to get first, the notification of the publishing of Angels We Have Heard.  It is such a glorious production -- and there in the index -- my name and inside, some quotes.  And the conversations with you were so grand.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the stories and accounts of all the rest of the book.  What a monumental undertaking -- and so well done.  You are remarkable." -- Maud Jennings (relative of Jim Boothe, author of "Jingle Bell Rock")

• "Thank you so much for sending me your very interesting Christmas book.  Like you, I also love holiday music, so I am looking forward to pouring over all the interesting facts and photos you have unearthed." -- Jay Landers, Senior Vice President, Walt Disney Records (Executive Producer of many Christmas albums including Barbra Streisand's Christmas Memories)

• This is a book for fans of Christmas music.  Includes fascinating photographs and memorabilia. -- Peter Silverton, London Times (December 20, 2002)

• "What a whopper of a book it is -- a 464-page, full-color, 9-by-12-inch hardcover coffee-table volume telling the stories behind the songs that comprise the Christmas canon.  Visually, the book is a treat -- chock-full of rare photographs, album covers and full-page reproductions of sheet music.  The exhaustive interviews with songwriters, performers and producers make this the most comprehensive volume on the topic of Christmas songs that you're likely to find anywhere.  Where else are you going to find a holiday volume that runs the gamut from Gene Autry to Spike Jones to Destiny's Child?  Hefty chapters are devoted to such timeless holiday gems as "Jingle Bells," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Here Comes Santa Claus," as well as more contemporary fare like the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling," John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and the Band Aid benefit hit, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"  It's a gift you can return to each holiday season." -- Greg Haymes, Albany, NY, Times-Union

• "The book, a lush coffee table production with more than 500 color images, was six years in the making.  It gives a detailed and exhaustively researched account of popular Christmas music from the 1800s to contemporary times.  Angels is rich in fact, mixing show biz gossip with music and social history to tell a story of both continuity and vanished times.  Angels weaves accounts of dozens of songs into its 15 core stories.  And the research so engrossed its author, Richliano also served as the book's art director and designer.  What moved him to do so, he says, was album covers and sheet music from the 1930s, '40s and '50s -- the era also known as the Golden Age of Christmas Music.  'Those were wonderful things that were lost to me,' he says.  He reacted by bringing these images to others in his book." -- Marcia Stamell, The Independent (December 20, 2002)

• "James Adam Richliano of Ghent, formerly of Billboard Magazine, has written a new, full-color, 464-page, 9-inch by 12-inch hardcover Christmas music history coffee table book, published by Star of Bethlehem Books in Chatham.  It includes new research and historical information on cherished Christmas songs' creation and growth, as well as the stories behind the creation of favorite Christmas songs told from the artist's, songwriter's and producer's point of view."  -- Hudson, NY, Register-Star (December 12, 2002)

• "I love the book.  You have embraced every part of it, from the overall vision, researching, compiling, writing and publishing... you name it -- you and your book are one!"  -- Carol Newlin (Stillwater, NY)

• "I do believe that your book is the most beautiful I have ever seen in all my years on this planet!  WOW!!!!!!!!  Even my fifteen-year-old son, Heath,  said, 'You could look at this book for the rest of your life, and not see everything...'  It is awesome." -- Beverly Down (Lake George, NY)

• "My book just arrived.  Now I would like to order a second copy for a friend's gift.  Thank you for such a beautiful and well-written book."  -- Dr. John Schellkopf (Pacific Palisades, CA)

• " Fantastic book I'll enjoy for years to come.  An excellent purchase!"  -- Cecil Speer (Memphis, TN)

• "The book is fabulous!!  The best money I have spent in a long time.  I cannot wait to read it cover to cover.  Thank you so much!  -- Gaetano Ferlazzo (Ft. Myers, FL)

• "Your wonderful book arrived today, and I am overwhelmed with the glorious color images and impressive text.  What a beautiful book.  I am so pleased to have one for my collection and signed by you."  -- Nancy H. Marshall (author of The Night Before Christmas: A Descriptive Bibliography Of Clement Clarke Moore's Immortal Poem)

• "This book is fabulous!  -- Cathy Hale ("Cathy Christmas," Beverly Hills, CA, owner of a Christmas TV and movie prop company, Almost Christmas/Santa Claus Productions, and a specialty decorative lighting company, Christmas Lights Production)

• "Absolutely fascinating book! Great Xmas gift."  -- Jeff Wilson (San Diego, CA)

• "Thank you for sending the book so quickly.  I received it yesterday.  It is beautiful and I love the pictures -- they're classic.  Thanks again and God Bless You." -- Mildred M. Bailey, Lexington, KY

• "I just have to say...what a great book!!!  As a serious collector of Xmas music, your volume is the best combination of fact and fun I've seen." -- Jeff Kline, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA

• "It's a fascinating book with in-depth stories of how the classic Christmas songs were inspired, written and recorded, complete with photos, album covers and sheet music!" -- William Golay, writer of Toby Keith's Christmas song, "What Made The Baby Cry"

• "I truly believe your book is more than a book about Christmas songs - a glorious and informative one at that - but it is also a tangible testimony to wonderfully creative people and so very meaningful to them and their survivors.  Sometimes, in life, getting a residual on something you've created, is not enough, or is not what means the most.  You've gone the extra measure and given many people an extra joy and sense of pride and emotion that they might otherwise never have experienced." -- Elizabeth Venator, Williamsville, NY

• "Thank you for sending me your beautiful book.  I am almost 76 years old and I remember the 1930's and 1940's.  I still watch every old Christmas movie on TV.  Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas." -- Helen J. Banuelos, Houston, TX

• "Thought you may want to check out a new book called "The Christmas Song Stories" by James Richliano.  The author interviews a lot of songwriters and remaining family members ... great stories that I bet you would really enjoy. James used to work for Billboard, and includes lots of color photos in the book of his extensive Christmas collection.  Aren't the old album covers and song sheet artwork the best??  Check it out, you won't be disappointed!" -- Jackie Bidell, Annapolis, MD

• "I just got the book.  IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!  Star of Bethlehem Books has done a wonderful job of designing and laying it out.  I am very impressed." -- Kim Galle, Boston, MA

• "The book is an awesome effort -- very well researched, and engagingly written -- it made for very enjoyable, and nostalgic, reading over the past holiday.  I was extremely impressed by the sheer volume of research involved -- as an English instructor, I'm always teaching the research process: I certainly applaud the exhaustive work you have done." -- Tim Bunce, Ojai, CA)

• "I recommend this book! -- Douglas Altizer, Radford, VA

• "I love this book! Thanks!" -- Chris Willman, Los Angeles, CA

• "Really impressive book -- 1st class all the way.  Highly recommended!" -- Charles LaPat, Victorville, CA

• "Such a fine book! I bought two!!" -- Sarah Santitoro, Simi Valley, CA

• "I heard you on the radio in an interview about the book and it sounded like something I had to have.  Year-round people ask me how many days until Christmas and I am always looking for that perfect gift.  Beautiful book... Thanks!" -- Deb Merritt, TN

• "What a wonderful treat is your book on Christmas songs! I've really been enjoying it so much -- a terrific distraction/vacation from daily cares!  It's obvious what a labor of love it was to create.  Anyone who loves pop songs would love this book -- thank you for creating it!" - - Marilyn Harris, songwriter (www.marilynharris.com)

• "Your book is truly awesome -- well researched and very readable!  I was attracted to your book because I am a singer/songwriter and have written a few Christmas songs over the years.  Some musician friends of mine even put out an album in 1987 called, Tis The Season.  God bless, and thanks for a terrific book!" - - Kevin Cronin (Walden, NY)

• "I received your book for my parents - - they send their gratitude and are enjoying it very much.  Best wishes to you on any future books." - - Katie Keith  ( Browns Valley, CA)

• "Thank you so much for your beautiful book!  Wow!  Some of the photos you included really bring back memories.  The old album covers, etc.  I remember some of them from when I was a little girl.  I can't even begin to imagine all of the research/hard work it took to put it all together.  Thank you again - - it is a wonderful book." - - Florence Lane (CT)

• "What an absolute delight it was to receive your book, which was like a present for myself.  It is a most gorgeous book - - I love it!  Christmas is always over too soon for me, and then "other people" think it is time to quit playing Christmas music, but I'm not ready to quit!  I am so looking forward to learning from your book about all the songs I have loved so much all my life!  Thanks for producing such a gorgeous book that I am thrilled to own!" - - Heidi Curnow (Sonora, CA)

• "This summer, we returned to Michigan and visited the largest Christmas store in the world:  Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth.  While talking to the owner, we found out about a new book by James Richliano, which includes a section on the story of the Alfred Burt carols." - - Diane Burt D'Amico (daughter of Alfred Burt who wrote/co-wrote "Caroling, Caroling," and all of the Alfred Burt carols.)

• "Magnificent!  Jim, thanks so much for sending your book - - and what an incredible job you did!  I had no idea its scope was so big - - it really is a fantastic piece of work.  Congratulations!"  - - Fred Bronson ( weekly Billboard Magazine columnist and author of several pop music books including The Billboard Book Of Number One Hits.)

• "Your book is truly priceless and wonderful to say the least!" - - Jack Ciaramella ( White Plains, NY)

• "Thanks so much for this beautiful book - - I was blown away! This is an absolute gem.  I also enjoyed our visit on the phone and look forward to continuing to be in contact with you.  I hope you and yours have a wonderful, blessed Holiday season! Enclosed is a copy of the I Write The Songs radio show which featured your book, "Angels We Have Heard: The Christmas Song Stories" as a great Christmas gift idea for aspiring songwriters." - - Mary Dawson ( host of the radio show I Write The Songs (www.iwritethesongs.com)

• "It seemed as natural for me to bring out your great book as it did to string up the lights on the eves of my house.  You have become a part of the holiday tradition in this home.  Thank You.  It was fun being with you earlier this year and I'm hoping that the year has been a good one for you and that you remain in good health and happy creative spirits.  Merry Christmas too!" - - Frank Pooler ( co-writer of The Carpenters' song, "Merry Christmas Darling.")

• "Well, I just finished your book for the first time and I plan to read it over again many times.  Can I start by just saying WOW?  It's all I expected and much more.  I was fascinated from the first page to the last - - you have really done a remarkable job on this book.  It's nice to have a book that has facts about all my favorite Christmas songs that was written with the same passion as the songs were.  I truly enjoyed the whole thing from cover to cover.  You can really tell all of the research and writing was truly a labor of love.  It shows on every page.  The pictures you have put in take you right back to childhood.  And if I ever have to walk the streets at night, and I feel I may need something to carry with me for protection, I will take your book - - it's certainly heavy enough to do the job.  I thought you should know how much I enjoyed reading Angels We Have Heard..." - - Vernon Heller ( McHenry,  IL)

• "Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your wonderful book.  It's truly a beautiful creation.  Thank you." - - John Hicks ( Manhattan Beach, CA)

• "What a great book!  I'm totally pleased with it on every level.  A+++" - - Dale Jarrett ( Lake Ridge, VA)

• "This book is great, as described!" - - Ingrid Gardner ( Golden, CO)

• "An absolutely superb book!" - - Jo Rivers ( Tallahassee, FL)

• "I just received your book and I am very pleased.  Now I want to order another copy!" - - Jean-Marie Boisclair  ( Montreal, Canada)

• "There's still some good in the world and it is worth fighting for.  I haven't seen the last, but as long as there is Christmas and books like this one of yours, the good in all of us lives on." -- Kathleen Korniak (Schenectady, NY)

• "I want to acknowledge a wonderful book that has inspired this week's show.  It's called Angels We Have Heard: The Christmas Song Stories, by James Adam Richliano.  Jim is a former Billboard staffer, who has done an incredible job writing about the greatest Christmas songs of all time." - - Chuck Taylor (Billboard columnist & host of Billboard's weekly internet radio show (as heard on that show's 2003 December Christmas program.)