How the Irish Saved Civilization | 
pickBook #22 of 2025: “How the Irish Saved Civilization” by Thomas Cahill
SO well-researched. This book focuses on how the rise of Christianity in Ireland ultimately saved Latin literature after the fall of Rome, and the significant cultural impact Irish missionaries had on Europe through the dark ages and into the Renaissance. Bonus: 1200 year old poem by an Irish monk about his cat, Pangur Ban. History buffs, it‘s definitely worth a read!
so-so★★★☆☆
I have a problem with the fact that the Irish were barely mentioned before page 70, that the author's main point didn't emerge until page 183 (this in a book of only 250 pages), and that the final 50 pages of core subject matter felt rushed. Also, the Irish didn't save civilisation in general as the title seems to say - they played a critical role in preserving Greek and Roman writings.
Cahill finally getting to his thesis on page 183:
'While Rome and its ancient empire faded from memory and a new, illiterate Europe rose on its ruins, a vibrant, literary culture was blooming in secret along its Celtic fringe.'
p. 108: 'So Patrick was really a first - the first missionary to barbarians beyond the reach of Roman law. The step he took was in its way as bold as Columbus's, and a thousand times more humane.'
Started
📖 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
so-soWhile there was some interesting aspects of Ireland in the Middle Ages discussed here, this book got too bogged down in Rome and its fall (like 40% into the book before we get to Ireland) and the author‘s concept of “civilization” is definitely Eurocentric (Irish scribes saved Roman literature, basically). But I learned a lot about St. Patrick and Irish monastic culture, which was interesting.🤔
pickThis book surprised me because I didn‘t realize that it would go back to the time of St Patrick which I enjoyed very much. However it did start slow but I learned more about Ireland/ Irish.
#coffeeandbooks
Early morning sustenance. Happy Easter and Hanukkah and Ramadan and Sunday!
Off to a family brunch later today.
Quote by critic Thomas H. Jackson who asserted that Kinsella‘s published poetry in the 1980‘s is an intersection of both Kinsella‘s personal and world historical perspectives. I love when books send me to research other books, people, and places.
#deadphilosoperssociety
Tain No Cuailnge, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, translated from ancient Irish, by Irish poet Thomas Kinsella,was handed down by the Irish,over the centuries, in the oral tradition of The Odyssey.
Thomas Kinsella was an Irish poet, translator, editor who died in December 2021. Now I must read about his life/poetry!
I am loving this book.💕
The author, Thomas Cahill‘s opening note. I remember my brother reading this when it was published.
What a wonderful #SpringEquinoxSwap box! Thank you so much Sarah for the books I have been wanting to read, the garden dibber for planting, & the beautiful crystals & stones. It certainly feels like you understood me. Spring is my favorite season, when the dark days of winter transform into warmer weather, sprouting plants, longer daylight. Thanks to @sprainedbrain @Chrissyreadit for sponsoring this spring celebration!
pickThe first in Cahill's brilliant series is also my favorite. Not too dense but with enough information to rightfully argue that Irish monks saved much of our ancient writings by copying them in monasteries. Quite enjoyable.
so-so"How the Irish helped to preserve the written literature of the Romans and Greeks" would be a less snappy title, but more accurate. Cahill's premise that Greco-Roman literature and philosophy constitute civilisation and without it we'd be lost is laughable; his paeans to the Irish character come across as condescending. The book isn't even about Ireland, mostly.
His portrait of St Patrick is tender and interesting, but... this book is so flawed.
The entire book summed up in a paragraph.
#history #irish #thomascahill
Well, this explains a lot.
#literacy #history #irish #poetry #reading #learning #thomascahill #whyimaliten
Now this would be a fun little thought experiment. How would Christianity be different today, if they hadn‘t signed on to Augustine‘s hang ups, and instead signed on to the openness and loving nature of the Irish?
#irish #history #thomascahill #christianity #catholicism #augustine
so-so2.5 ⭐️ This book isn‘t bad, and for the most part it paints the Irish not as barbarians but as heroes. I just wish he had done a better job of it. There are so many holes in this that it would be easy to just disregard the truth that lies in these pages. The biggest issue I have is that Cahill clearly doesn‘t know the word PANENTHEISM or how it differs from pantheism. (Cont‘d below)
In the end, I think this concept still lives within the soul of every Irish person, in one way or another.
#irish #history #mythology #loyalty #bravery #generosity #ideals #tenants #thomascahill
Oh to be a fly on the wall for this conversation!!! I can just imagine Augustine‘s face getting all red and smoke coming out of his ears. For the man who came up with original sin, and then made it an STD, this man‘s hang ups should be seen as such, not as Theology. This is my favourite part of this book, though (if I‘m being honest). #thomascahill #history #philosophy #theology #augustine #julianofeclanum #tantrum
How Rome fell - and why... or Why Americans REALLY need to study history - and not just their own. (3/3) #history #historymatters #thomascahill
I have no time for people who give lip service to Christian morals, Liberty, freedom, equality, etc. with absolutely nothing of substance to back it up. Either you believe in these things, or you don‘t. If you don‘t, you shouldn‘t be trying to run this country.
How Rome fell - and why... or Why Americans REALLY need to study history - and not just their own. (2/3) #history #historymatters #thomascahill
This sounds ever so familiar...I wonder why...?
How Rome fell - and why... or Why Americans REALLY need to study history - and not just their own. (1/3) #history #historymatters #thomascahill
One day, this is what someone will write in a book about the Rise and Fall of America...along with every scholar wondering why Americans abhorred history so very much. When that day comes, historians will no longer be told to do something “real.” They will be appreciated. I hope I live to see that day.
Historical Inquiry to a T. This is everything being an unbiased historian is all about.
In the course of studying history day in and day out (or just living these days), “we shall meet many entertainers, persons of substance who have their story to tell, some of whom may believe their story is all their is to tell. We shall be gracious and and give them a hearing without disparagement.”
#thomascahill #irishhistory #history
pickThe first of Thomas Cahill‘s The Hinge of History series about critical points in western civilization. Not a true linear history, more a series of vignettes, about St. Patrick bringing Christianity to Ireland and how the monasteries copied and preserved books during the fall of the Roman Empire and then returned the knowledge to Europe afterwards. Some interesting thoughts on the randomness of history and the rise and fall of civilization.
1. Everything by Rick Steves
2. Ireland
3. Alaska or New Zealand
4. Drive, love road trips!
5. Ice Cream, though both are great
#manicmonday @JoScho
#glorytotheguild
pickI am a history teacher, and a supernerdy one, so keep that in mind when reading my review 😉 An excellent read (listen). I learned so much about medieval Europe and especially Ireland obviously, and it was so accessible and non-boring. Will definitely be read again.
This is a slight cheat because I am heading there next month. #NFaboutacountryyoudliketovisit #uncannyoctober
I think this counts as #savetheworld. I haven't read it yet but I'm looking forward to doing so. It sounds interesting. #anditsaugust
Not that I've done any reading since I got here but this place has a bookshelf! I brought my own reading anyway.
Next year I am going on a cruise to the British Isles. As you can see I was there back as a young lass. (Excuse my ridiculous hair. Ah the choices of youth.) I decided to attempt to learn Gaelic. Mostly because I have always wanted to and this gives me an excuse. I just finished my first lesson and am feeling good. This also means I will get to visit the Trinity College Library in Dublin. Which might just be my mecca. So excited!
pickThis is one of my absolute favorite nonfiction! I read it while we were visiting Ireland many years ago. #5555giveaway
so-soCahill spent a little more time than I was interested in on setting up the context of the decline of Roman civilization. I thought the portions on Ireland, the work of the scribes. and Irish literature were fascinating though. I also loved the discussion of women as well -- while not viewed as equals overall, there were many women leaders and they were portrayed as strong and intelligent.
pickI should have read this before I went to Ireland a few years ago! It was an interesting history that I knew nothing about. I don't always do well with non-fiction, and my eyes glazed over a few times....but still interesting! The blanket is from my Ireland trip!
pickThese are some of my Ireland books. I read Cahill while we were in Ireland almost 20 years ago. We named our kids after Irish church history: Aidan Patrick, Brendan, and Iona. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Some light reading at the lake house. It's so gorgeous here today!!!
They understood, as few have understood before or since, how fleeting life is and how pointless to try to hold on to things or people. They pursued the wondrous deed, the heroic gesture: fighting, fucking, drinking, art - poetry for intense emotion, the music that accompanied the heroic drinking with which each day ended, bewitching ornament for one's person and possessions.
