Flight of the Reindeer: The True Story of Santa Claus and His Christmas Mission
Dedication T O M Y P A R E N T S who first taught me about Santa Claus R S T O L I L L I E A N D S A R A H who make it easy to believe G W TO MARGIT who showed me that reindeer really do fly J P
Acknowledgments DEEPEST THANKS AND BEST CHRISTMAS WISHES are extended to my partners artist Glenn Wolff and designer J Porter Merry Christmases go as well to the experts and Helpers who shared their knowledge regarding The Mission Special appreciation is extended to literary agent Jeannie Hanson and to our talented and sympathetic editor at Macmillan John Michel The author illustra tor and designer would like to acknowledge the patience support and inspiration afforded by their wives while they were off chasing rein deer They would also like to recognize assistance graciously given by the following individuals and institutions Doreen Means Adrienne Aurichio Dave Ziarnowski Hank Dempsey The Potter Park Zoo in Lansing Michigan the Michigan State University Museum Baker Library and the Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth College The Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence Rhode Island Joe Mehling Jim Brandenburg Doug Mindell Tim Hanrahan Erick Ingraham Tonia Means Craig Neff the Grose family Doug Meyerhoff Paul Traudt Mary Anne Spiezio and Quad Graphics Final thanks to Dan Okrent and all colleagues at LIFE magazine for allowing the time to pursue this project R S
Table of Contents INTRODUCTION The Reindeer by the River It Was a Wondrous Thing In which the author tells of his search for the true Santa Claus page 10 PART ONE The Echo of Hooves Searching for Yesteryear’s Deer In which Santa’s history is detailed past adventures are recounted page 18 PART TWO The North Pole Today On the Roof of the World In which the kingdom is visited the elfin life is described page 36 PART THREE The Miracle of Reindeer Flight Mysteries Explained Science Revealed In which the way he does the things he does is discussed page 56 PART FOUR Eight Tiny Reindeer Plus One Santa’s Starting Team and His Helpers In which a host of heroic animals and people are met page 76 AFTERWORD Like Down on a Thistle Evermore Work That Never Ends In which the future of Santa Claus and his mission is pondered page 92 COVER PHOTOGRAPH The famous Stark Image taken by William H Johnson in northern New Hampshire in 1993
