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

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

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 worldview 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.

©1997 Thomas Cahill (P)1997 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Liam Neeson's rich, smooth voice delineates each element of political, religious, and cultural alliance." (AudioFile)

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

Terrific book, wonderful delivery.

I read this book when it first came out, loved it. Liam Neeson's performance great!

Great narration of a great story

From the fall of Rome to the high Middle Ages, Europe unknowingly entrusted Ireland with its culture and traditions. The West owes the island savages a debt that can never be repaid.

Short but Thought Provoking

While the audiobook can be easily completed in one work day, the content will have you contemplating what exactly it means to be a part of civilization. Cahill’s writing style is modern and well thought out, while maintaining an almost casual air that makes it almost feel like a conversation rather than a lecture.
I don’t think anyone could ever claim that listening to Liam Neeson read is a chore, and I’m quite glad he narrated this edition.

Five Stars is not Enough

The writing is scholarly, clear, and elegant, opening a view of the Irish both fresh and surprising. Cahill paints an illuminating canvas of the collapse of the Pax Romana, clearing up some of the dark historical period which followed. Liam Neeson's reading is excellent, his smooth resonant voice lending clarity and understanding to the text. Wish it had been unabridged, for now I will have to order that version.

Wonderful book.

The trials and tribulations of the Irish throughout cannot be understated. Truly a people who push forward and have had the yoke of oppression bring them down time and time again. We have much to thank the Irish for. Sad to see how England has repaid Ireland.

Awful audio impacts production

I thought this had all the best ingredients: medieval history, Ireland, and Liam Neeson. But this was almost unlistenable due to audio problems, as others have noted. It was literally impossible to listen in the car, since the timber of the faint audio seemed to be on the same frequency as the engine noise. It was a little better in a quiet house so I struggled through, but the audio produced a mumble no matter how loud I had it. I also noticed it was abriged! The other production available here should be purchased instead.

a patterson of tenneessee

I wish I could have been there .Irish Christian Humanity ,warrior monks,scribes and saints facts

Master class narration

I found this book absolutely fascinating. The fact that it was narrated In such a magnificent manner by Liam Neeson made it even better.

Wasn't bad, quite interesting

The narrator, I thought, was good. Don't know what the problem was with the narrator. As for history, I'm new at this, but I thought it was interesting.

How the Irish Saved Civilisation

This is a history book like no other. A rare and unique delight. Liam Neeson's reading is its equal.
Aye yae yae! Just magic. Yes 550 stars.