How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill

The title of the book is also the title of the key and longest essay, and the earlier chapters certainly set the stage for the main thesis, but do come across as separate pieces on their own. I found the book to be grippingly interesting, utterly fascinating, good reading despite the seriousness of the ancient history, but much more like a book of essays that a single developed thesis. It turned out to be a serious book of history, but written with a good deal of wit, cleverness and a strong dose of insouciance, all of which I enjoyed. I wasn’t sure what it was – a serious book or something humorous, but the title was attractive to this American with Irish roots. I chanced upon this book at a YMCA book fare a couple months ago. THE UNTOLD STORY OF IRELAND'S HEROIC ROLE FROM THE FALL OF ROME TO TH RISE OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE By Thomas Cahill THE UNTOLD STORY OF IRELAND'S HEROIC ROLE FROM THE FALL OF ROME TO TH RISE OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE By But it conveys its knowledge with a winking wit that aptly captures the sensibility of the unsung Irish who relaunched civilization.Book review - HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION. In the tradition of Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror, How The Irish Saved Civilization reconstructs an era that few know about but which is central to understanding our past and our cultural heritage. When the seeds of culture were replanted on the European continent, it was from Ireland that they were germinated. Not only did Irish monks and scribes maintain the very record of Western civilization - copying manuscripts of Greek and Latin writers, both pagan and Christian, while libraries and learning on the continent were forever lost - they brought their uniquely Irish world-view to the task.Īs Cahill delightfully illustrates, so much of the liveliness we associate with medieval culture has its roots in Ireland. Without Ireland, the transition could not have taken place. In this entertaining and compelling narrative, Thomas Cahill tells the story of how Europe evolved from the classical age of Rome to the medieval era.

Not only did he bring Christianity to Ireland, he instilled a sense of literacy and learning that would create the conditions that allowed Ireland to become 'the isle of saints and scholars' - and thus preserve Western culture while Europe was being overrun by barbarians. Patrick was on the subsequent history of civilization. Patrick's Day, but they may not be aware of how great an influence St. Patrick's Day gift, and a book in the best tradition of popular history - the untold story of Ireland's role in maintaining Western culture while the Dark Ages settled on Europe.Įvery year millions of Americans celebrate St.

How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill