How the Irish Saved Civilization discussion

Decades ago I was studying philosphy, and had to write a paper on the medieval period. I found St Thomas and St Augustine tedious, so I picked an obscure Irish monk, John Scotus Erigena, and found he wrote in Greek, which I was also studying.

Why did he write in Greek, I wondered, and in of all places, Ireland?

Ahhh, therein lies the tale that this book will unfold for you, and gives us of Celtic stock some bragging rights!!!

Mostly true - but also quite biased. It doesn't outright claim anything untrue -- however it commits numerous errors where it takes a bit too much credit and omits important influences outside of Ireland. Very good propaganda, mediocre history.

So Alvin, what are the errors? And what were the outside influences?

The whole world is biased and the sooner we understand this the sooner we will be able to enjoy books like this one. Cahill is fun, and quite accessible. I agree. I also agree he was very biased.

I hope there are no latent anti-Gaelic prejudices in the expressed opinions on this book.

Oh, definitely biased, but so fascinating. I'm awful about finishing nonfiction books, but I couldn't stop reading this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed Cahill's take on Irish history. You can argue that he's a biased reporter and a little loose with the facts. But he's every bit as entertaining as was Herodotus, who while being known as the father of history, couldn't resist a wild story or two, like the flying snakes of the Sinai. Seen any of them lately? :-)

This book was imposible to finish...

This book was impossible to finish....

I used this book when writing my biography Columbanus: Poet, Preacher, Statesman, Saint. Agree with most of it (except the claim that the Irish saved civilization - cheeky monkey) and commend it as a good source book, fascinating and easy to read. Also recommend to anyone interested (aside from my own book of course) the biography St Patrick of Ireland by Philip Freeman, another readable and well-thought out study of the period.

I remember thoroughly enjoying this book. But I never thought the Irish single handedly saved civilization. It took away from this that monastacism preserved civilization.

Was just beautifully put together, lovely to look at and colorful enough to keep any type of reader engaged! It's the type of book to inspire interest for furhter reading because of the number of subjects it touches upon, scrapes the surface then off to the next.

Biased but I doubt anyone had ever looked at the the Irish in the way Cahill has.