I've heard much about the book over the years. But it really isn't a period of history that i am particularily interested in, so i never followed up on the hearing about it to buy a copy. So it got into that list of book:"if you trip over a copy, pick it up and read it". It ought to have been in the "must read now" list. I'm sorry i postponed reading it and don't really understand why, i wonder how many other gems i know about but haven't looked at.
sure wish
"God doesn't deduct from man's allotted time, the time spent reading"...but i know better.
IT was a joy to read, from clever word choices to hints of big ideas long suppressed or overlooked in the usual historical textbooks, a hint of esoteric knowledge hidden from mere mortals.
The major themes are probably at least partial true, but after finishing the book, i'm not sure it matters, it is just an engrossing story told by a very competent and interesting storyteller. That is the great strength of the book, it is a tale well and interestingly told.
There is one thing i'd like to specially follow up on in my reading. That is how the Irish "temper" modified the "Roman" and yielded a different kind of Christianity as the Irish monks carried their books back into Europe. This is the theme of Celtic Christianity that i see occasionally as i browse bookstores for the new and interesting. The problem, for me, is that it is a nearly cultic topic that consists of a lot of trash to be waded through to find the gems.
So like the best of books, it engrosses and allows you to loose yourself in the reading and causes new ideas to bubble up and supply incentive to go to the library and get more. My highest recommendation which is "give to the wife and tell her to read it".....
one of the very best things about amazon reviews are emails from people who read the review.
i received an interesting note about this review and thought i'd include my response to it here, so i edited the review and added to it.
this is not an historical epoch i am particularly well read in. which is why i didn't spend time talking about the historical facts but rather spoke about style and how i was effected by the book. to see if the book is historical fiction or good history writing is beyond both my abilities and my current interests. at this point, i'm content to classify it as a jolly good read and move on to the next book in my TBR pile.
did the Irish save civilization?
i don't know. does it matter?
history interests me yet isn't always a definitive subject like physics. there is more than a little room for interpretation. what is best about the book is the style and engrossingly interesting reading. to understand the issues will require several more books that concentrate on the details of the issues and not, like this book, on convincing people of the big issue.
thanks for reading the review. and please share anything about the book to rwilliam2@yahoo.com subject book reviews (to get past spam filters) especially about my research question above concerning celtic christianity and how it might differ from the more intellectual roman variation that won the day.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Frequently bought together
This item: How the Irish saved civilization: the untold story of Ireland's heroic role from the Fall of Rome to the rise of Medieval Europe
$39.00
Get it May 2 - 8
Only 5 left in stock - order soon.
+
$16.45
Get it May 1 - 8
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
$13.92
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 30
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
For a new book ordered the condition was deplorable!
I received the book and when I opened the package, the book cover had a large tear in the front. The book itself looked tattered. The book had a bookmark in it towards the beginning as if somebody started reading it and was no longer interested in the book. I specifically ordered a new hardback book for my library.. The condition was deplorable when I received it.. I am going to return it but now the price has gone up $10 which is ridiculous.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
- AngelaReviewed in Spain on December 21, 2023
A Wonderful Book with a very interesting History
Physically talking, the book is worth buying, containing detailed maps, illustrations, and at the end, a Chronology and a Pronunciation Guide to Key Irish Words.AngelaA Wonderful Book with a very interesting History
Reviewed in Spain on December 21, 2023
When I embarked on this book, 'How the Irish Saved Civilization' by Thomas Cahill, I was skeptical about the bold claim encapsulated in its title. Was Cahill using hyperbole, or was there substance to the notion of the Irish playing a pivotal role in saving civilization? While the title might seem grandiose, the narrative unfolds into a fascinating exploration of a lesser-known part of history that, if true, carries profound implications.
The book commences with an examination of the Fall of the Roman Empire, attributing its decline to reasons like indolence, decadence, and disease. Cahill contends that amid this collapse, the invaluable libraries of Ancient Rome and its wealth of learning faced imminent peril. The invading barbarian hordes, being pagan and illiterate, posed a significant threat to the preservation of knowledge.
Enter the Irish, whose role in rescuing Western civilization forms the crux of Cahill's narrative. The author recounts a condensed version of St. Patrick's history and highlights how Irish abbots and monks ventured across the continent, reviving Christianity in places where it had waned or never taken root. They meticulously copied manuscripts, preserving classical texts through generations, often when they were lost elsewhere. Cahill emphasizes their use of the vernacular Irish language, even providing a Pronunciation Guide at the end of the book. The influence of Plato's philosophical texts is also explored.
If Cahill's assertions are accurate, Irish monks played a pivotal role in saving civilization by safeguarding classical literature. As the Dark Age gave way to the Medieval Age, these Irish scholars disseminated the knowledge they had preserved throughout Europe. The very idea that such a significant historical event is not more widely known raises doubts. Shouldn't an event of such magnitude be a more prominent part of historical discourse?
Compounding the uncertainty is the fact that Cahill himself is not a historian. While this isn't inherently problematic, as compelling histories and biographies can be written by journalists, the best ones typically include exhaustive notes and sources to substantiate their claims—something notably absent in this case.
After completing the book, I find myself grappling with uncertainty. The overarching premise—that Irish monks saved civilization by preserving classical literature—feels dubious. However, the narrative is compelling, and certain aspects resonate with logic. Perhaps, amid the uncertainties, there are kernels of truth that merit further exploration.
Images in this review
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2025
A fascinating read!
-
-
