How the Irish Saved Civilization
by Thomas Cahill
How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill holds a well received rating of 3.81 out of 5, based on 29.6K reader ratings. First published in 1995. The book spans 246 pages.
About How the Irish Saved Civilization
From the fall of Rome to the rise of Charlemagne - the "dark ages" - learning, scholarship, and culture disappeared from the European continent. The great heritage of western civilization - from the Greek and Roman classics to Jewish and Christian works - would have been utterly lost were it not for the holy men and women of unconquered Ireland. 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 treasures. With the return of stability in Europe, these Irish scholars were instrumental in spreading learning. Thus the Irish not only were conservators of civilization, but became shapers of the medieval mind, putting their unique stamp on western culture.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Thomas Cahill |
| Published | 1995 |
| Pages | 246 |
| Genres | History, Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality |
| Average Rating | 3.81 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 29,586 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is How the Irish Saved Civilization?
How the Irish Saved Civilization is categorized as History, Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality. Its primary genre classification is History.
Is How the Irish Saved Civilization worth reading?
Based on 29.6K reader ratings, How the Irish Saved Civilization has an average score of 3.81 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is How the Irish Saved Civilization?
How the Irish Saved Civilization has 246 pages.
Who wrote How the Irish Saved Civilization?
How the Irish Saved Civilization was written by Thomas Cahill. It was first published in 1995.
What is the ISBN for How the Irish Saved Civilization?
The ISBN-13 for How the Irish Saved Civilization is 9780385418490.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
