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: Donal Donnelly

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©1995 Thomas Cahill (P)1999 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

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

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

"Cahill's lively prose breathes life into a 1,600-year-old history." (The Boston Globe)

Decline of Rome and subsequent Irish history

I found this to be extremely well written with an occasional condecending tone (not sure if it was implied by the reader or from the author, I'd have to listen to those sections again)when expressing a personal observation.
The reading was excellent and appropriate to the subject. It may not be the accustomed style, but worked well here.

A rambling but fun listen

Not just the Irish - the entire medieval history is fair game for this meandering but intelligent and fun author. I listened to it at a faster speed to save time.

We're all Irish at heart

Great book to read if you're of Irish heritage. Great book to read if you didn't know you were Irish. Excellent wrap up of the fall of Rome, and the rise of Ireland.

lots of detailed history

it you want to learn about the so called dark ages and how they came about, as well as how Irish culture began, this is the book to read

Disappointed

I've actually read this book a couple of times and absolutely loved it. So, I downloaded it off here because I thought it'd be a good listen on my commute.

I couldn't get through the first 2 hours. The narrator drove me nuts. He has a way of using odd gaps in phrasing and a rather pompous delivery. Maybe he's just not for me.

I've been listening to audio books for almost 30 years and there are titles in here I've "re-rerad" 10+ times. Going forward, I'll know one narrator I should probably avoid.

Save your money - It's free on Youtube

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'm out $17 and there is no way to return the audio book. Enjoy this wonderful book by downloading from Youtube for free.

Still not sure how they did it

The book was an interesting exploration of Roman literature, the life of St Patrick, and monastic life in Ireland, but I am still at a loss as to how exactly he reckons that the Irish saved civilization. Although he stresses that Irish monks travelled widely through Europe in the Dark Ages, the are no concrete examples of texts that are traced from the ancient world through Ireland back to the mainland. There should be dozens of good expamples if his thesis is correct.

Having also read "Sailing the Wine Dark Sea" it seems like the author's style is very airy and authoritative. He tells you what he thinks about an idea and doesn't feel the need to provide references or detailed proofs. I suppose he is correct about much of what he says, but I can't just take his word for it.

The writing is interesting and funny, but I also found the narration a bit "Masterpiece Theater" as other reviewers have pointed out.

thorough and enlightening

Provides the historical context that led to the important role the Irish had in saving civilization. I listened to it in small 45-60 minute sessions and I enjoyed savoring it slowly. The information opened my mind to quite a few ideas that were new to me. Well worth the time.

Great book; good reading

Really interesting topic. I was surprised how long it took for us to actually get to Ireland, but the author did a great job setting up his topic. My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that the reader’s Latin wasn’t very good.

Great book! Just fascinating.

Was just in Dublin and visited Trinity College. You must see the library! Love this history.