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St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography Audiobook
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(3.13) - 127 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Ireland's patron saint has long been shrouded in legend: he drove the snakes out of Ireland; he triumphed over Druids and their super-natural powers; he used a shamrock to explain the Christian mystery of the Trinity. But his true story is more fascinating than the myths. Late in the 4th century Irish pirates captured a young, British citizen named Patricius from his parents' Roman villa. The boy was sold into slavery and sent to tend sheep in Ireland. After walking nearly 200 miles across bogs and mountains to the coast, he managed to escape on a ship full of pagan sailors and returned home to the astonishment of his family. Patrick was destined for the privileged life of nobility but, when he experienced a profound religious awakening, he decided to become a priest and return to Ireland to convert the Irish to Christianity. The Patrick who emerges is even more extraordinary than the patron saint of legend - a passionate, courageous, and very human figure who exerted an incalculable impact on the course of Irish history. "A fascinating and believable introduction to Ireland's patron saint... a colorful picture of Ireland at the end of the Roman Empire: its kings and headhunting warriors, gods and human sacrifices, belief in the Otherworld." ~Publishers Weekly (March 2004)
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"An easy-to-read bio of one of the greatest saints in Church history, St. Patrick is a fine example of the greatness a person can rise up to despite the trials and tribulations. And that greatness is not only for oneself, but also for the greater good of society and the greater glory of God."
— Michael (4 out of 5 stars)
St. Patrick of Ireland Listener Reviews
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" Another readable St Patrick biography...good stuff. "
— Charles, 1/18/2014 -
" This is an easy to read biography of the life of Patrick. I enjoyed it a great deal and think anyone would. "
— Daniel, 12/4/2013 -
" Fascinating. What an amazing person! "
— Carolyn, 11/28/2013 -
" Another readable St Patrick biography...good stuff. "
— Charles, 11/24/2013 -
" A little dry, as I already had some knowledge of Patrick, but it was easy to read and interesting. This book for history-lovers who don't want academic tomes. It left me wanting to know much more about Patrick because the centuries-long legacy of his commitment to bring Christianity to Ireland. "
— Margie, 11/23/2013 -
" Very interesting read--didn't know this story at all! "
— Janette, 11/15/2013 -
" scholarly yet very readable. critical yet sympathetic. I highly recommend it. "
— Doug, 6/23/2013 -
" Not the biography I was hoping for...in fact, much of the book deals with other things than Patrick. Probably should have been titled "St. Patrick's Ireland," which seems more accurate. Still, an informative book that helped me build a better foundation of my understanding of Celtic Christianity. "
— Brad, 6/21/2013 -
" I'm actually not quite done with this book, but I should finish it soon. I didn't know much about St. Patrick and wanted to learn a bit. I'm very glad I didn't live in the 4th and 5th centuries despite the presence of good men like St. Patrick. "
— Jera, 4/15/2013 -
" Loved this book. I thought it was great that it actually had the two known letters that St. Patrick wrote in the back of the book. It was great to have the opportunity to read them. It was also good to learn some of the history of what was going on at the time when he was there. Great book. "
— Alisa, 3/29/2013 -
" Appreciated the fact that two of his letters are included . "
— Cherise, 2/26/2013 -
" Well thought-out biography, includes the letters written by St. Patrick in the back of the book. Resources are also a plus. "
— Lauren, 12/12/2012 -
" The author has several interesting views about the relationship of the Middle Ages/Dark Ages, the Roman Catholic Church, and Patrick. I found it intriguing. The bibliography at the end really caught my interest. "
— Terri, 12/20/2011 -
" Intriguing ! He should be remembered for his Christian mission, not for snake chasing. "
— R., 11/4/2011 -
" Love this story of St Patrick. It is had to underestimate how significant he was for Irish history. He seperates legend from fact without robbing St. Patrick of his personality and impact. A truly amazing life. "
— Chris, 8/23/2011 -
" Another readable St Patrick biography...good stuff. "
— Charles, 4/26/2011 -
" I'm actually not quite done with this book, but I should finish it soon. I didn't know much about St. Patrick and wanted to learn a bit. I'm very glad I didn't live in the 4th and 5th centuries despite the presence of good men like St. Patrick. "
— Jera, 3/8/2011 -
" Intriguing ! He should be remembered for his Christian mission, not for snake chasing. "
— R., 8/8/2008 -
" A little dry, as I already had some knowledge of Patrick, but it was easy to read and interesting. This book for history-lovers who don't want academic tomes. It left me wanting to know much more about Patrick because the centuries-long legacy of his commitment to bring Christianity to Ireland. "
— Margie, 10/21/2007 -
" Love this story of St Patrick. It is had to underestimate how significant he was for Irish history. He seperates legend from fact without robbing St. Patrick of his personality and impact. A truly amazing life. "
— Chris, 3/8/2007
About Philip Freeman
Philip Freeman has published over twenty books, ranging from biographies of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Saint Patrick to translations of Cicero and Aristotle. His books have been translated into fifteen languages around the world. He earned his PhD at Harvard University and has taught at Boston University, Washington University, and Luther College. He holds the Fletcher Jones Chair in Humanities at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He has been a visiting fellow at the American Academy in Rome, the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, DC, and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
About Alan Sklar
Alan Sklar, a graduate of Dartmouth, has excelled in his career as a freelance voice actor. Named a Best Voice of 2009 by AudioFile magazine, his work has earned him several Earphones Awards, a Booklist Editors’ Choice Award (twice), a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and Audiobook of the Year by ForeWord magazine. He has also narrated thousands of corporate videos for clients such as NASA, Sikorsky Aircraft, IBM, Dannon, Pfizer, AT&T, and SONY.