Saint Patrick: Ireland's Patron Saint (Exploring)

Exploring

by George Otto Simms

This is the extraordinary true story of Patrick, a humble man who made an incredible journey from slave to saint. Captured at the age of sixteen and forced into slavery in Ireland, this courageous and resourceful young boy overcame all hardship to fulfill his to bring the people of Ireland into the light of God's word. George Otto Simms presents the real Patrick, not the Patrick of myth and legend but the Patrick of the Confessions. In his own words he was 'a sinner', but he was a brave individual, a sensitive seer, a persuasive orator, a traveler, a noble spirit and a true holy man.

Genres: History

102 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1991

About the author

George Otto Simms was born in Dublin in 1910. He took his BA, MA, BD, PhD, and DD degrees at Trinity College, Dublin. Ordained a priest of the Church of Ireland in 1936, he spent his working life in the service of the church and was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1969 until his retirement in 1980. A noted scholar and historian, he lectured and wrote extensively, particularly on The Book of Kells, on which he was internationally recognised as an expert. For almost 40 years he contributed a weekly religious feature,'Thinking Aloud', to the Irish Times. George Otto Simms died in 1991.
Exploring the Book of Kells was Dr. Simms first book for the younger reader and received wide acclaim. It was a winner of the Reading Association of Ireland Award, and together with his second book for children, Brendan the Navigator, Exploring the Ancient World, was joint winner of the BISTO Book of the Decade Award. His third and last book prior to his death was St. Patrick, The Real Story of Patrick, who became Ireland's Patron Saint.

Reviews

[Michael O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a reverent, but factual biography of Ireland's greatest saint. Easy to read. Could have been better if some of the legendary stories about Saint Patrick had been blended into the chronology instead of saved for the end. Still, for the price, it was worth the time and money.

[Joel D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a breezy, easy-to-read overview of St Patrick’s life and early works about him contained in the Book of Armagh. This book reads like a modern hagiography; it really only says good things about Patrick. It works as an introduction to St Patrick, but not much as anything more than that. Still, it was interesting and well-written.

[Samuel Valentino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting information, but terrible writing. I'm not sure which audience it was for - it seemed like children's writing, but only because it didn't seem sophisticated enough for adults. But the sentences were so choppy that I don't think it would appeal to kids either. Had it been more than 90 pages, it wouldn't have been worth finishing.

Further, his use of the sources seemed slipshod. In the book, he claims that Patrick was kidnapped by Irish pirates, along with thousands of other people on the same day. But later in the book, he quotes from Patrick, where he says that he was kidnapped, as thousands had been as well. There was nothing to imply that there was a huge raid enslaving whole populations, just that over time many people had been taken. So statements like that made me question the author's conclusions.

That being said, it did convey information about a figure I'd like to learn more about, and let me know the sources we have about him. Also, the author did include Patrick's theology/spirituality into the biography, which is the main reason I picked it up. A purely historical account of Patrick's deeds wouldn't be as interesting to me.

While I can't recommend the book, it is at least an introduction, and did make me want to read more.