Pilgrims and the Mayflower, turkeys, multi-colored Indian corn, and overflowing horns of plenty... These familiar symbols make sure think of Thanksgiving, one of the most American of holidays. But hundreds of years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the ancient Greeks and Romans—as well as Hebrew, Chinese, Egyptian, and African peoples—all held harvest feasts similar to our modern Thanksgiving. And long before voyagers from Europe ever set foot on the North American continent, the indigenous people were celebrating their harvests by feasting and giving thanks.

In the engaging blend of careful research and lively prose that has earned her books a lasting place on the holiday bookshelf, Edna Barth explores the origins and evolution of many of the symbols associated with Thanksgiving. Here are fascinating details about Thanksgiving customs that will intrigue you, surprise you, and make you extra thankful the next time your family gathers around the table to celebrate this holiday. Festively illustrated by Ursula Arndt, this entertaining treasury of holiday lore includes an annotated list of Thanksgiving stories and poems and an index.

From the dust jacket