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How the Irish Saved Civilization

The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe

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How the Irish Saved Civilization

By: Thomas Cahill
Narrated by: Liam Neeson
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About this listen

 The perfect 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. Every year millions of Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but they may not be aware of how great an influence St. Patrick was on the subsequent history of civilization. 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. 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. Without Ireland, the transition could not have taken place. 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. As Cahill delightfully illustrates, so much of the liveliness we associate with medieval culture has its roots in Ireland. When the seeds of culture were replanted on the European continent, it was from Ireland that they were germinated. 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. But it conveys its knowledge with a winking wit that aptly captures the sensibility of the unsung Irish who relaunched civilization. Christianity Civilization Europe History World Ireland History Ancient

Critic reviews

"Charming and poetic ... an entirely engaging, delectable voyage into the distant past, a small treasure." —The New York Times

"A lovely and engrossing tale ... Graceful and instructive." —Richard Eder, Los Angeles Times

"Cahill's lively prose breathes life into a 1,600-year-old history." —The Boston Globe
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Genuinely enjoyed this book, though 50% is about St. Patrick which I was not expecting. Overall a very enjoyable listen.

Not what u expected but a very good listen

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as an Irish person I am annoyed that I wasn't educated in the early history and I wish I had known more. this book was enlightening and I enjoyed most of it but the musical interludes made it come across as cheap in a stereotypical Irish way and that was very off-putting

historically interesting but that music

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A wonderful story of an often overlooked era and Irish contribution, as the leading light of European civilization.

Devastatingly ironic how colonial propaganda centuries later would label the Irish as wild, uncultured savages to be tamed, the Elizabethans even contemplating genocide.

An excellent book that reads as a poem, particularly recited in Liam Neesons authenticate tones.

A hidden gem & authentically narrated by Liam Neeson

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Fantastic use of words and imagery that lets you really appreciate how the world changed gradually and effectively through the spirit of the Irish and St Patrick. Liam Neeson really adds to the dept of drama that the book relays from start to finish.

Excellent review of a much forgotten period

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amazing books much history not taught in school and Liam Neeson was the best person for the narration

amazing books

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