In this delightful and illuminating look into a crucial but little-known "hinge" of history, Thomas Cahill takes us to the "island of saints and scholars," the Ireland of St. Patrick and the Book of Kells. Here, far from the barbarian despoliation of the continent, monks and scribes laboriously, lovingly, even playfully preserved the West's written treasury. When stability returned in Europe, these Irish scholars were instrumental in spreading learning, becoming not only the conservators of civilization, but also the shapers of the medieval mind, putting their unique stamp on Western culture.


From Publishers Weekly
An account of the pivotal role played by Irish monks in transcribing and preserving Classical civilization during the Dark Ages. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
We usually associate the preservation of Greek and Roman learning with the Muslim world, but here Cahill brings to light the vital role also played by Irish monks and scribes during the time of St. Patrick and the Book of Kells. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The Los Angeles Times
Cahill's lovely prose breathes life into a 1,600-year-old history.


From AudioFile
This interesting view of Irish history at the time of the Dark Ages begins after the fall of Rome. Cahill's work will particularly interest medievalists and students of Irish culture while the casual listener may be bogged down in post-Roman events and shifts of power. Liam Neeson's rich, smooth voice delineates each element of political, religious and cultural alliance. He adds appropriate emphasis to details and gives context and scale to the narration. The cadence and softened consonants of his speech make appealing and pleasant listening. Though recording this work makes it accessible to an audience who might not otherwise read Cahill's work, the density and detail of this history demand studied listening. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Cahill's absolutely fascinating narrative details the pivotal role the Irish played in preserving and transmitting the classical literature of both Greece and Rome. As the once vast and mighty Roman Empire disintegrated into chaos and ruin during the course of the fifth century, illiteracy became the standard, all the great continental libraries vanished, and scholarship ceased to exist. Operating on the fringe of Europe, the newly literate Irish scribal scholars began the monumental task of copying every piece of Western literature they could uncover. In addition to transcribing this profound cultural legacy, Irish monks in exile, inspired by the legendary St. Patrick, reestablished literacy on the continent, providing a critical bridge between ancient Rome and medieval Europe. An utterly absorbing and entertaining chronicle of a virtually neglected episode in the annals of Western civilization. Margaret Flanagan


Midwest Book Review
The holy men and women of Ireland play a key role in preserving European Western civilization's heritage: they remain unconquered when Rome fell and preserved the bulk of western social and literary heritage. Passages gleaned from historical writings compliment a fine history which often reads like a novel.


Review
"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

Mr. Cahill's book will remain an entirely engaging, delectable voyage into th edistant past, a small treasure."
--N.Y. Time


Review
"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

Mr. Cahill's book will remain an entirely engaging, delectable voyage into th edistant past, a small treasure."
--N.Y. Time

ANNOTATION

This narrative tells the story of how Europe evolved from the classical age of Rome to the medieval era. Without Ireland, this transition could not have taken place. Irish monks and scribes maintained records of Western civilization and brought their uniquely Irish world-view to the task.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

From the fall of Rome to the rise of Charlemagne—the "dark ages"—learning, scholarship, and culture disappeared from the European continent. The great heritage of western civilization—from the Greek and Roman classics to Jewish and Christian works—would have been utterly lost were it not for the holy men and women of unconquered Ireland. In this delightful and illuminating look into a crucial but little-known "hinge" of history, Thomas Cahill takes us to the "island of saints and scholars," the Ireland of St. Patrick and the Book of Kells. Here, far from the barbarian despoliation of the continent, monks and scribes laboriously, lovingly, even playfully preserved the west's written treasures. With the return of stability in Europe, these Irish scholars were instrumental in spreading learning. Thus the Irish not only were conservators of civilization, but became shapers of the medieval mind, putting their unique stamp on western culture.

FROM THE CRITICS

New Yorker

When Cahill shows the splendid results of St. Patrick's mission in Ireland...he isn't exaggerating. He's rejoicing.

Boston Globe

Cahill's lively prose breathes life into a 1,600 year-old history.

Richard Eder - Los Angeles Times

A lovely and engrossing tale...Graceful and instructive.

Publishers Weekly

An account of the pivotal role played by Irish monks in transcribing and preserving Classical civilization during the Dark Ages. (Mar.)

Library Journal

Ireland's shining moment in European history was in the Dark Ages, when it did yeoman labor for future generations. Preserving literacy, Latin, and Christianity while Western Europe was isolated and barbarian, Irish monks also returned Christianity to Europe with ideas like confession that are part of the modern Catholic Church. Cahill is director of religious publishing at Doubleday, and this is his second book on Ireland. His narrative-highly literate and affectionate, if somewhat rambling and indulgent-links literature, philosophy, history, and lots of legends as he describes the fall of Roman civilization and the lives of saints Patrick and Columba, especially how they established the monasteries critical to the preservation effort. As a freewheeling, witty popular history of Irish Christianity in the Dark Ages, this will amuse and enlighten your Irish kin, and the book is recommended for that audience. The title notwithstanding, there is no untold story here. -- Robert C. Moore, DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Cmpany Information Services, N. Billerica, Massachusetts Read all 11 "From The Critics" >

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