St. Patrick of Ireland, Philip Freeman
St. Patrick of Ireland, Philip Freeman
14 Rating(s)
List: $15.99 | Sale: $11.20
Club: $7.99

St. Patrick of Ireland
A Biography

Author: Philip Freeman

Narrator: Alan Sklar

Unabridged: 6 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/01/2004


Synopsis

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)

About Philip Freeman

Philip Freeman is Fletcher Jones Chair and professor of the humanities at Pepperdine University. His books include Hannibal: Rome's Greatest Enemy, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar.


Reviews

AudiobooksNow review by Cynthia on 2012-12-21 11:22:08

I felt there was too much speculation in this biography not enough specifics about what St. Patrick was involved in as far as his duties and any church records. There was a lot of good history but certainly not what I expected from the title. Less about St. Patrick and more about the history of the time. I actually sent the cd back before I heard it all.

Goodreads review by Jon on November 22, 2023

Philip Freeman has taken St. Patrick off his pedestal and presented him as a man - a man who never sought the adoration he was given. He only wanted to serve God as a slave who escaped who escaped from his masters; then as a bishop who would return to the country of his former masters to serve once......more

Goodreads review by Emma.catherine on June 08, 2024

Sad to have come to the end of this fascinating book that my dear friend, Kellie, lovingly sent to me. I want to spend the time writing the review it deserves but there will be a full RTC 🔜 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️......more

Goodreads review by Kellie on March 18, 2024

A 5 heart and clover rating from me!! ☘️💚☘️💚☘️ I absolutely loved this book and was surprised at how much I learned about St. Patrick!! Being Irish, I was raised knowing about him and while reading this book, it's amazing how much more I learned!! Isn't that one of the reasons we read books? Reading......more

Goodreads review by Richard on March 17, 2014

I enjoyed this book. It explains the sacrifice Patrick made to go from a privileged life in Britain on a life-long mission to Ireland where he had once been taken as a slave. He evangelized among a tribal, pagan people and planted churches. The book helped me appreciate Patrick's intimacy with God,......more

Goodreads review by Michael Gerald on February 24, 2013

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.......more