St. Patrick of Ireland

A Biography

By: Philip Freeman

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

Ireland's patron saint has long been shrouded in legend: he drove the snakes out of Ireland; he triumphed over Druids and their super-natural powers; he used a shamrock to explain the Christian mystery of the Trinity. But his true story is more fascinating than the myths.

Late in the 4th century Irish pirates captured a young, British citizen named Patricius from his parents' Roman villa. The boy was sold into slavery and sent to tend sheep in Ireland. After walking nearly 200 miles across bogs and mountains to the coast, he managed to escape on a ship full of pagan sailors and returned home to the astonishment of his family. Patrick was destined for the privileged life of nobility but, when he experienced a profound religious awakening, he decided to become a priest and return to Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity.

The Patrick who emerges is even more extraordinary than the patron saint of legend, a passionate, courageous, and very human figure who exerted an incalculable impact on the course of Irish history.

©2004 Philip Freeman (P)2004 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A fascinating and believable introduction to Ireland's patron saint." (Publishers Weekly)

A Wonderful Discription

I must say that few books on the lives of saints capture the wonderful story that is put together here in this book. The book takes all the events from Patrick?s life and puts them together in a single read. The accurate historical details don't give way to the unproven and fictional tales about this saint. The historical era is also very well captured in this book. You get a real grasp as to what the church was like at this time in history. This was a great read that gives an excellent introduction into this great saint's life.

A history book

More than a good biography of this important Saint of the Church, the book brings a great context of the Irish society from St Patrick’s age. The book is really well written and target both believers and non believers. However, as a Christian, I missed more of the sanctify of St Patrick. Anyhow, the book is able to highlight and bring the importance of this holly man.

Great

Learned so much more. No snakes and drunkenness. I think we need more like him.

OK

Interesting period in history but this account seems repetitive at times. Didn't really have enough meat for a full book.

Spreading the faith early days ito ireland

Would you listen to St. Patrick of Ireland again? Why?

I LOVED THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON 7 actual LETTERS written BACK IN 4th CENTURY. Sorry about caps. Patrick went through some very hard times and responded very uniquely and stuck to his convictions