St. Patrick is a legendary figure in Irish history and literature--so famous that a day is named after him. Medieval stories surround St. Patrick, describing how he drove the snakes out of Ireland, converted all of Ireland to Christianity, how he explained the Trinity with a shamrock, and how his coming was foretold by Druid priests:

"With a head like an adze and a curved stick he will come,
Chanting his evil songs in his house with a hole,
From the table in the front of the house,
And his people will say, "So be it, so be it."

In St. Patrick of Ireland Philip Freeman sifts through the fragments of myths, legends, and time-worn manuscripts to re-create the story of Patrick. Freeman quickly reads between the lines of Patrick's letters to get at the real drama of his life and works. Along the way, he focuses on the man behind the legend. Read the full review: St. Patrick of Ireland.

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