Charlie Brown's Christmas Miracle

The Inspiring, Untold Story of the Making of a Holiday Classic

By: Michael Keane

Narrated by: Allan Robertson

Discover the inspiring, unknown, against-all-odds story of how the classic animated holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas almost never made it on to television.

Professor and cultural historian Michael Keane reveals much in this nostalgia-inducing book packed with original research and interviews. Keane compellingly shows that the ultimate broadcast of the Christmas special—given its incredibly tight five-month production schedule and the decidedly unfavorable reception it received by the skeptical network executives who first screened it—was nothing short of a miracle. Keane explains why the show, despite its technical shortcomings, has become an uplifting and enduring triumph embraced by millions of families every Christmas season, even more than fifty years after its premiere.

This gripping and joyful behind-the-scenes story of how the creators of A Charlie Brown Christmas struggled to bring the program to life will also help readers (and loyal fans) understand how America’s favorite Christmas special changed our popular culture forever. Keane masterfully weaves the momentous events of 1965 (the turbulent year of the program’s production) into his story, providing critical context for a profound new understanding of the program’s famous climactic scene, Linus’s spot-lit soliloquy answering the question repeatedly posed by Charlie Brown—"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Critic reviews

"Fans of the Peanuts comics included many occupants of the White House including my father, President Ronald Reagan, who had a decades-long friendship with “Sparky” Schulz that began during his days as Governor of California. This book weaves together a marvelous tapestry of personal stories, including my family’s, alongside those of the creators of A Charlie Brown Christmas. A captivating tale of the making of an American classic!"—Mike Reagan, President, Reagan Legacy Foundation

"The idea that CBS executives thought the Charlie Brown Christmas Special would never engage family audiences around the globe is laughable today. It was and continues to be a must see attraction at Christmas for millions of families including mine! I grew up with it and then 30 years later I was in charge of CBS Primetime Specials and had the honor and privilege to schedule the special to #1 ratings every airing! It's the real National Treasure and Keane’s book is a fascinating tale on how it almost never came to be."—Charles Segars, Creator and Executive Producer of National Treasure and CEO, Ovation TV

"Set against the background of America in 1965, Michael Keane’s masterful account of the making of A Charlie Brown Christmas provides a vast insight into the circumstance and cast of characters that produced this enduring cultural miracle."—Michael Garland, New York Times best-selling author and illustrator

"You're going to find this book more compelling than the TV special. It's a miracle! A masterful treatise on a holiday tradition!"—Dan Coughlin, Emmy award-winning newscaster

"Few people know that the creator of Charlie Brown and Peanuts, the world’s most popular comic strip, was a U.S. Army combat veteran of World War II. This powerful book tells the important story of how the trauma of war shaped Charles Schulz’s life and his art, including the wondrous A Charlie Brown Christmas. A remarkable read!"—James Stavridis, Admiral, US Navy (Retired); Supreme Allied Commander at NATO (2009-2013)

"Charlie Brown’s Christmas Miracle delivers the heartwarming story behind the beloved cartoon television classic inspired by Charles Schultz’s cartoon strip. The improbable events, divergent forces, and remarkable personalities that led to the show’s debut in 1965 are enriched by Michael Keane’s perceptive historical commentary on the turbulent decade of the Sixties. A wonderful read!"—Joan Waugh, Professor Emerita, UCLA Department of History

Some interesting information on the production of the Christmas classic

I liked some of the details about the production and the team. However there seemed to be a lot of filler and boring details about most of the participants. Definitely not enough about the most important person Charles Shultz?
Some of the “filler” information about the executives at CBS and the restaurant at 30 ROCK was dumb! Who cares?
The various reservations from the producer and animators and executives on the “Biblical content “ was revealing
Charles Schulz was right! The executives misread their audience.
I have watched this classic every year at Christmas for decades! A true Holiday Classic unmatched by any other!
When I read the Christmas portion of the gospel of Luke I always hear the innocent voice of Linus and I am moved
By his reverence for “The true meaning of Christmas”
All in all it was worth the time for the behind the scenes look.
Narration was good.

A bit more than expected

If you want a lighthearted peanuts themed biography this isn’t for you. However it captivates you with the history from Disney to Mad Men history to insight into the complex character that is Charles Schulz.

Well read and incredibly researched. Highly recommend for any history buff

Of Miracles & Mad Men

Reminiscent of the historical and cultural storytelling of Malcolm Gladwell, Kai Bird, and Martin J. Sherwin, this book infuses a miracle into the fast-paced and competitive world of Mad Men. By giving the reader a glimpse into the personal lives of the key players and the unique set of circumstances that made A Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Keane tells the story of mid-century, modern miracle. It’s deepened my appreciation and enjoyment of A Charlie Brown Christmas. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Peanuts or who is looking for a historical Christmas story.

Outstanding narration enhances an amazing story

Keane’s book gives us a picture of life in the US in 1965, successfully giving the reader a background to a holiday TV classic. I liked the structure, giving the principals involved their own chapter: the adman, the producer, the animator, the musician, etc. The miracle gives the narrative a warm feeling, just right for Christmas!

Just a string of biographies

This is not a narrative of the special. Just a string of biographies bearing mostly-unrelated backstory.