Explore Patrick's place in history, the spread of Christianity beyond the Roman Empire, how Patrick first came to Ireland, the influence of the earlier Palladius on Patrick's work, political and social conditions at that time, and the spiritual battles with the Druids. This 21st century edition now includes notes from other biographers, mystics, historians, and storytellers of Ireland. The ideal place to begin any exploration of a much-loved but little-known saint. "Bury proves to be more than a mere dry historian; he turns out to be a fine storyteller as well, and his accounts of Patrick's spiritual duels with Druid priests for the heart and mind of the Irish king are quite gripping." —History Book Club "Editor-writer Sweeney gives Bury's 1905 biography of the legendary St. Patrick a greater contemporary context in this meticulously researched and presented work…. Bury wrote what Sweeney calls the ‘ideal modern biography' of Patrick…. Sweeney assembles and rearranges material from Bury's original work and incorporates more of Patrick's own words, from his Confession and Letter against Coroticus. Sweeney's light edits to Bury's text clarify exactly what Patrick did in Ireland, noting that although he did convert some pagan kingdoms, he also was responsible for organizing Christians who were already there and connecting the island with the church of the Roman Empire."
