Whenever the world looks scary, it’s helpful to remember our history.

Because the world has looked scary (much scarier than our time) at many times in the past. And our ancestors made it through. So will we.

Here’s what was happening some 1600 years ago. The Roman empire was collapsing and barbarian tribes from northern Europe were at the gates. Every indication said that this was the end of the world as it had been known since early antiquity. And in many ways, it was.

But a small, insignificant backwater came to the rescue: Ireland. And by the instrument of monasteries where scribes tirelessly copied the works of the past – both religious and secular – and saved them so that we have access to Plato and Augustine and Origen and Jerome and a whole lot more.

I’ve just finished reading Thomas Cahill’s book How The Irish Saved Civilization. This book recounts the story of how this happened. What’s more, he tells the story in an engaging way. Enjoyable, helpful, and fun to read, and highly recommended, and if you’ve read it before (as I had), consider reading it again.