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How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe (The Hinges of History) Paperback – Unabridged, February 1, 1996

by Thomas Cahill (Author)

628 customer reviews

Book 1 of 6 in the Hinges of History Series

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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.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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.

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Product details

Series: The Hinges of History (Book 1)
Paperback: 246 pages
Publisher: Anchor; 1st edition (February 1, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385418493
ISBN-13: 978-0385418492
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 628 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Movements & Periods > Renaissance
- #10 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Alphabet
- #21 in Books > History > Europe > France

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Frank S. Chandler Jr.

"And the last shall be first...."

April 28, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Everyone should read this book! In the depths of the dark ages, 400 years after the fall of Rome, the only place in the world where the art of illuminated scripture was still being practiced was in the monasteries of Ireland: a place so remote and primitive that they were barely aware that they were no longer part of the Roman Empire. The clergy of Europe had become as illiterate as the peasants, but they memorized and recited tthe Bible from memory. Errors conpunded themselves as recondite knowledge was passed orally from generation to generation among the priests. The Irish monks, led by a man named Patrick,were the last literate Northern Europeans. They began traveling through Europe and teaching the clergy how to read. Absent their efforts, civilization as we know it would have passed out of existence: there would have been no Charlemagne to consolidate Europe again, no Elizabeth to sponsor the Reformed Church and the arts, and no Queen Isabella to finance the discovery of the Americas, because they would have all existed (if at all) barely above the level of cavemen. It is for this reason that Patrick was sainted: the stories of ridding Ireland of snakes is just a fairy tale made up by those who didn't read and didn't know why he was sainted. Skip this book, and your life will be poorer in its ignorance!

Cahill writes beautifully, and he brings the book to life: he presents history as saga, and the truth he gives us is more enjoyable and fulfilling than any fiction!

14 people found this helpful15 people found this helpful

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Phyllis

Add this one to your Read Next list!!

April 21, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Thomas Cahill's history of Ireland during the middle ages is so well and cleverly written that you will never know you are reading nonfiction. The theme running through is as engrossing as "Vikings" on the History Channel. It is grounded in solid facts, many of which are not well known, making it a fascinating read. The author is a scholar, whose prose is not only lyrical and learned, but paints word pictures of western civilization after the fall of the Roman Empire. You will have a whole new regard for the contributions of the "Emerald Isle."

21 people found this helpful22 people found this helpful

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Desiree M.

I own this entire series and enjoy this book a great deal

November 25, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I own this entire series and enjoy this book a great deal. It actually proved a religious-historical theory that I'd already had a hunch about (that my Irish/Celtic ancestors actually worshiped Baal and the Queen of Heaven a.k.a. Asherah a.k.a. Babylon). And even though there are statements in the book that irk me since I am a Christian and the author is clearly not, I can still appreciate this book for it's balanced, honest, historical perspective. Definitely recommend How the Irish Saved Civilization and the entire Hinges of History Series. Enjoy!

3 people found this helpful4 people found this helpful

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Don

A Slow but Wonderful Read

December 10, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Besides this being one the most interesting books I've ever read I was also very impressed with the writing skills of this author. I never got any of this in my history classes at school. I seriously recommend an electronic reader for this book because your constantly looking up words this author uses. so a reader with a built in dictionary is a must. It's a real treat to be able to touch a word and a dictionary pops up to provide a meaning. If you're Irish or a student of history, this is a must read. Just this elucidation on the demise of Rome and the origins of the Mafia alone are worth the price of admission. Good stuff!! It's the luck of the Irish, don't ya know!

16 people found this helpful17 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Fascinating account of Irish history....

March 18, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A well written account of a lost identity of the Irish heritage. Going as far back as the origins of the Irish people, to their contributions to Catholicism as we know it today, to how Saint Patrick came to be the man an figure he was. Also the contribution the Irish had in preserving the literary works of the classical era. An excellent read for those who enjoy learning about the history and origins of individualized heritage. The first book in a series of such types of historical accounts and I plan to continue on with said series. Thumbs up to the author for an easy to read and enjoyable writing style.

7 people found this helpful8 people found this helpful

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Irimescu Stefan

A beautiful and inspiring read

May 24, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A beautiful and inspiring read.

The book starts very slow with the fall of Rome and a way to long comparison between the literary achievements of the Greco-Roman world and the Celtic tribes.

Afterwards it continues with the remarkable life of St. Patrick and the impact of Christianity on Ireland, culminating with the great effort of the Irish monks to preserve and afterwards spread as much knowledge as possible throughout Europe.

In a time when the old world collapsed and the West was ruled by illiterate barbarians, the first centers of learning were being founded by these brave wondering monks. One example would be Switzerland, the first library in its history popped up in the Abbey of St. Gall and a lot of the manuscripts survive to this day.

After illustrating this pivotal role of the Irish missionaries, the book concludes with the challenges and hardships that Ireland faced in the coming centuries and an ode to Irish culture and resilience.

Quite a journey.

One person found this helpful2 people found this helpful

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Aardvark

Astounding insight into a lesser known portion of ancient history

April 17, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book takes a few hundred pages to really delve into the unsung heroes of modern civilizations: The Irish. Cahill aptly presents the good, bad, and ugly for how the Irish influence arose out of the waning Roman borders, how it preserved the realm of Christianity and culture in the far reaches of the known world amid the growing barbarian hordes, and how it less than nobly exited historical significance in the more modern era.

Quick read, thorough read, and captivates the reader using both facts and memorable characters of the era to show that, yes, the Irish really *did* save civilization.

5 people found this helpful6 people found this helpful

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Brenda Monahan

Read like you were there!

August 30, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This was a re-read for me. I have the entire Hinges of History Series by Cahill and am just starting to read them all again. There is mega information and insights, and the writing makes it easy to understand even for a person not steeply educated in philosophy. I was married to an Irishman for 36 years and the Irish character comes through clearly and authentically in this book. I don't believe the Irish have changed over the centuries. This book helps make all the rest of history makes sense. I now understand how it is all connected. I recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about history and also how it still impacts and informs what is happening even today.

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