How the Irish Saved Civilization

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

By: Thomas Cahill

Narrated by: Liam Neeson

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.

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

A Grand Account

Written by an Irishman. Performed by an Irishman. Spoken word recorded by an Irishman. 'Tis Grand!

Clear expression of History

History is full of niche stories like this. And I love hearing them. It reminds us that good and influential occurrences happen in unexpected ways and possibly from unexpected places. I heard of this book a long time ago and I’m so glad I finally read it. I enjoy so much of the history that leads up to it and after it.

A great read

Have owned this book for years, and was very happy to find it available on Audible to listen to, now that my eyesight is poor. The reader brought to life all those well known passages with excellent timing and diction; the lack of which can render thoughts unknowable.
A great distillation of a very complex subject into enjoyable and thought provoking spirits.

A Masterful Telling

Thomas Cahill's classic is masterfully narrated by the actor Liam Neeson. A most important achievement. Sincerely, Wells+

who narrated this book it's not Liam Neeson

Liam's voice is very distinctive and this is not him. This is just some random Irish person. if you listen to A Monster Calls which Liam actually did narrate you can hear the difference.