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How the Irish Saved Civilization

How the Irish Saved Civilization

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Cahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe. First Anchor books Trade paperback edition . Hinges of History, v. 1 series. New York: Anchor Books of Penguin Random House, 1996.

9780385418492; Genre--History

When Rome collapsed and Europe descended into chaos, the most unlikely of guardians came forward to preserve Western thought: Irish Monks.  Through those "Dark Ages," these dedicated scholars preserved the treasures of classical learning--the written legacy of Greece and Rome--and the religious texts of the the Christian tradition, safeguarding the cultural wisdom that might otherwise have vanished forever.  What's more, they did this sometimes with remarkable creativity and joy. 

Their tireless work copying manuscripts and maintaining centers of knowledge ensured that the intellectual foundations of Western European civilization survived to inspire future generations.   When peace returned to Europe, Irish learning spread across the continent, fundamentally reshaping medieval thought and leaving an indelible mark on Europe itself. 

Cahill's illuminating exploration reveals how a remote island nation transformed from guardian of knowledge into a transformative force that would define the intellectual character of the entire Western world.

National Bestseller, spending nearly two years on the NYT best sellers list.

Thomas Cahill (1940–2022) was a celebrated bestselling author known for making ancient and medieval history accessible, popular, and engaging.  Aside from full-time writing, he taught at Queens College, Fordham University, and Seton Hall University, worked in journalism, and was Director of Religious Publishing at Doubleday.

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Product Details

USED BOOK in good condition. Previously read copy with minor shelf wear.
EAN: 9780385418492 (Paperback)
Pages: x, 246 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), maps ;
Size: 21 c