The holy man, known to the Gael as Columcille and to the wider world as Columba of Iona, has endured through 14 centuries as one of the most awesome personalities of early medieval Europe. This book offers a portrait in words and pictures of the man, his world and his time. The book centres on John Gregory's new translation of Life of Columba written at the end of the seventh century by Adamnan, Abbot of Iona. John Marsden's introductory essays explore the vivid historical context, while the illustrations include folios from the gospel books of Kells, Durrow and Lindisfarne.