St. Patrick: The First Missionary

by Thomas Cahill

A selection from How The Irish Saved Civilization, everything you need to know about the historical St. Patrick, the extraordinary Iron Age man who became Ireland’s patron saint.  The real St. Patrick neither dressed in green nor chased the snakes from Ireland; instead, he was a kind and courageous former slave who had been stolen from Britain during childhood and brought to Ireland. Though he escaped from slavery, he later returned in triumph to the island of his captivity. From the first volume of his widely acclaimed “Hinges of History” series, Thomas Cahill brings St. Patrick to life, and sheds light on the chaotic but starkly beautiful ancient Ireland.  An eBook short.

26 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2015

About the author

Born in New York City to Irish-American parents and raised in Queens and the Bronx, Cahill was educated by Jesuits and studied ancient Greek and Latin. He continued his study of Greek and Latin literature, as well as medieval philosophy, scripture and theology, at Fordham University, where he completed a B.A. in classical literature and philosophy in 1964, and a pontifical degree in philosophy in 1965. He went on to complete his M.F.A. in film and dramatic literature at Columbia University in 1968.

In anticipation of writing The Gifts of the Jews, Cahill studied scripture at Union Theological Seminary in New York, and spent two years as a Visiting Scholar at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, where he studied Hebrew and the Hebrew Bible. He also reads French and Italian. In 1999, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Alfred University in New York.

Cahill has taught at Queens College, Fordham University, and Seton Hall University, served as the North American education correspondent for The Times of London, and was for many years a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times Book Review. Prior to retiring to write full time, he was the Director of Religious Publishing at Doubleday for six years. He and his wife, Susan, also an author, divide their time between New York and Rome.

—Wikipedia

Reviews

[Baumgartner Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Quick Summary

I only have scant knowledge of St. Patrick, mostly Ireland and snakes. But Cahill, in a lighter mood, tells the story of Patrick as the unique leader & teacher of Christianity in contrast to Augustine. Enjoyable information to enlighten my knowledge & share with others.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short overview of Patrick, bishop and apostle to the Irish. To many the 17th of March is simply a day to wear green and drink a beer but the man behind the day needs to be remembered. Even though this book is brief it is well done. I have gained a greater appreciation for Patrick and his life.