How The Irish Saved Civilization

It is the Irish whom we must thank for saving Western civilization from dying out during the Dark Ages. So argues Cahill in this beautifully written and thoroughly absorbing account. Cahill maintains that following the fall of Rome in the fifth century it was the monks of Ireland who copied and preserved many of the great texts of antiquity which would otherwise have been lost forever. The work of these monastic scribes is wonderfully evoked, as is the life of Saint Patrick who did so much to reconnect Europe with its classical and Christian heritage. For its sweeping and no doubt controversial thesis, presented with elegance and learning, this book should not be missed. (Kirkus UK)