The story of Iohannes Scottus Eriugena (c. 800-870), Ireland's greatest philosopher, is told here for the newcomer. Educated in Ireland, Eriugena emigrated to France where he became a close friend of the Emperor, Charles the Bald, serving him as court poet and master of the palace school. He also became a trans­lator and admirer of the theology of the Greek Church, leading eventually to his condemna­tion as a heretic. In recent times, however, he has become one of the most studied of all mediaeval intellectuals. A great book for two reasons, the clear account of Eriugena's philosophy and theology, and the fine prose style, particularly in the translations of Eriugena's own words. --Donnchadh Corr in