Rating: 
Summary: Historical / Entertaining
Review: Having read "Desire of the Everlasting Hills," I was drawn into Cahill's other published works, starting with this book, "How the Irish Saved Civilization." This book is solid, historical, and a very interesting 'peek' into the history of Ireland and its people. This book did not grab me like the aforementioned text, but it did a good job of laying out how important the Irish, and the monastic movement was to the culture and education of medieval Europe. The time devoted to St. Patrick was very helpful, as there is so much myth associated with St. Patrick, it is nice to have a more accurate view of his contribution to Irish Christianity, and Christianity as a whole. This book was a solid B, and I would recommend it to others. Joseph Dworak
Rating: 
Summary: An Charming and Interesting Theory
Review: How the Irish Saved Civilization posits an interesting and charming theory that much of the learning about ancient cultures would not be around today for us to ponder were it not for the Irish monks of the middle ages. Cahill backs it up with facts and you really cannot argue with him. He also fills the book with many interesting facts which convinced at least me (a person of Irish descent) that the Irish really had it together. It is an entertaining read conveyed by an Irishman with the true gift of gab. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: A Peak into a time of transition
Review: A great read for the average reader; an even better read if you know a little latin. Certainly not the work of a professional historian but this book gives a great feel of the time. I'm going to have to read this book again and again. Thomas not only provides reasons why this transition happened but he predicts that it will happen again because the forces involved are universal. The chilling end was like a cold slap in the face. If anything were wrong with this book I would say that the book is too short. One if left wanting more on the wandering Irish monks and more on the present Irish culture.
Rating:
Summary: A great read for anyone!!
Review: This is a very interesting book-- even if you're not interested in Irish History (or even History period!) you will find this very interesting and enlightening. It is about a very little known part of history that has a deep impact upon all of us. The book is easy to read and comprehend and can also be used for more scholarly endeavours if needed.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST read!!!!
Review: Anyone interested in filling in the gaps of history books should read this. It would be great if organized religion would return to the attitudes of Patrick's time and legacy.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy Read for any level of interest
Review: This book is a fun read for anyone regardless of their level of knowledge concerning ancient or European history. Thomas Cahill takes what could have been a dry subject and breaths life into it by stringing together what appears to be random events into a cohesive whole. The story line shows how different events scattered around the European continent worked together to unknowingly hand the responsibility of saving ancient writings and traditions to a culture seen as the least likely to handle the task. Cahill begins the book with a description of what was lost when Rome fell. Although he offers highlights of different theories as to why Rome fell, as he states, the reasons are not as important to the theme of this book as the fact that Rome did fall and the transfer of knowledge and institutions of learning ceased to exist. Cahill then focuses on Ireland and its culture at the time of the fall of Rome. Through legends, stories, and poems, Cahill gives the reader a feel of what Ireland was like before Christianity came to the island. For better or worse, once Christianity reached the shores of that small island as far from Rome as one could conceivably get, Ireland and Christianity were both changed forever. Enter Patricius. Ripped from his home at an early age, Patricius became a slave shepherd boy, where he eventually discovered and came to embody the Christian religion. Not Irish, but once he escaped, not viewed by contemporaries as an equal, Patricius did what no other was able to do - convert an entire culture to Christianity without blood shed. And as may be obvious by now, Patricius later became better known as St. Patrick. Using varied examples, Cahill shows how the Irish love of language and love of stories and books placed them in a unique position to capture and record the thoughts, languages, and learnings of civilization while that very civilization fell. He also shows how their predisposition not to judge other cultures or religions led them to copy works that were considered heresy, thereby preserving them for future generations who could have never know what had been lost. Also, one other factor contributed to the Irish's ability to save the works of the dying civilization - their location. Because of Ireland's remoteness, many of the wars, politicizing, and diseases that plagued the continent did not reach the shores of Ireland, thereby leaving its residents free to continue their scholarly pursuits. Cahill could have included much more detail concerning the years when the Irish inhabitants then spread their work back onto the continent, but instead crams all the information into one long chapter that reads no more than a list of who went where. Details concerning the adventures they faced, the troubles they may have run in to, or some of their accomplishments once they reached their destination are either briefly mentioned or excluded. In an effort to keep the book brief and fun to read, Cahill nearly glossed over the very point he was trying to make. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in history, especially ancient or early European history. Cahill has created a work to be proud of, and one that I will keep in my permanent collection.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable read
Review: Thomas Cahill puts together a fascinating and enjoyable read in his hugely successful "How the Irish Saved Civilization." This will prove a quick and hugely enjoyable effort for anyone with even a little bit of interest in Irish history. This is not for the serious scholar, who will probably find plenty of faults in the research and attribution. However, for the rest of us, sit down with a nice cup of tea (or whiskey if so inclined), open up the pages, and be whisked away to an Ireland of a distant land, and a lost era.
Rating:
Summary: Another great book by Thomas Cahill
Review: Cahill's done a great job of illustrating how seemingly distant and apparently unrelated events combine and flow over the ages. He's done a fine job of showing the interplay of the waning Roman Empire, early Christianity, and the particulars of Irish culture which were instrumental in preserving Europes's wisdom through the Middle Ages. His book is enlightening from an academic, as well as a religious standpoint. And I must admit, my own Celtic pride was stirred as I read of how my ancestors contributed to the preservation of knowledge; a benefit we continue to reap today.
Rating:
Summary: How the Irish Saved Civilization
Review: Damn excellent book which will echo throught the ages
Rating:
Summary: How Many Of Us Knew?
Review: How many of us even had a clue about the pivotal role the Irish played in preserving our history? This book is a delight to read, as Cahill has a way of pulling you in and keeping your interest. I have long been in love with all things Irish, but until this book I had no idea the important part they played in the history of the world. Had it not been for the Irish monks, toiling away in solitude in desolate places, most of the ancient books we have today would have been lost for all time. Cahill's "Hinges of History" series is wonderful reading [I have also read "The Gifts of the Jews" and "Desire of the Everlasting Hills"],even for those who find history to often be dry and dull. He has a way of making the past come to life in a very real way, and even more important, makes it fun. I love his sense of humor. Anyone who wants to see history in a fresh and new way should check him out, and be sure to read this book.
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