How the Irish Saved Civilization, Cahill (Doubleday, 1995)****

I did not read this very popular non-fiction when it was on the best seller list and was receiving rave reviews because I was somewhat turned off by the title (even though I'm of Irish extraction). But I did read it recently and found that it was quite enjoyable and surprisingly informative, and I'd recommend highly to anyone who enjoys books.

For history, it's remarkably light reading, and I discovered that there was less hyperbole in the book's title than I'd originally supposed. Although much of the focus is on Ireland's history, there are some powerful connections with the history of the rest of Europe. Cahill also discusses events which span an amazing period of time, some dating back thousands of years BC.

I cannot summarize the book better than a review by Amazon.com, which said (in part):

"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."

It's such a treasure when you find a book that entertains while it informs. If you have even a remote interest in the historical development and propagation of our culture, don't miss this one.