Did you know the month of March was named for the Roman god of war, Mars?

Traditionally in days gone by, this was the time of year to resume military campaigns interrupted by winter.

We, however, have safely welcomed March with open arms, because daylight saving time began March 8, and spring is officially here March 19 - right after all the fun of St. Patrick’s Day March 17.

It has been said that on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish. That could be because there are so many reasons to celebrate the contributions the Irish have made to our own history as well as to world culture.

A little known but very important contribution is the Irish aristocrat Lord Edward FitzGerald’s translation of “The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam” in 1859.

“The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam” is the work of an 11th-century Persian astronomer-poet, Omar Khayyam, 1048-1131.

FitzGerald made available to the English-speaking world one of the greatest works of literature and philosophy we have ever known. To give you an idea of the monumental scope of FitzGerald’s undertaking, the “Rubaiyat” is a series of 170 four-line verses.

Imagine the challenge of capturing the essence of the meaning of the ancient Persian language in an English translation. One of the poet’s most famous philosophical observations definitely captures the essence and promise of spring. It goes like this:

“Come fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring

Your Winter garment of Repentance fling.

The Bird of Time has but a little way

To flutter- And lo! the Bird in on the wing.”

As the season of spring progresses through the solemn days of Lent that creep toward the joy of Easter, let’s remember Omar Khayyam’s amazing message, as well as the enormous treasure trove that is Irish literature: James Joyce’s masterpiece “Ulysses,” William Butler Yeats’ poetry, Samuel Beckett’s plays, Oscar Wilde’s books and plays, CS Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia,” Bram Stoker’s immortal (literally) “Dracula” and the contemporary genius of Maeve Binchy.

Erin Go Bragh!

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NEW BOOKS

Fiction: “The Boy from the Woods,” Harlan Coben; “Journey of the Pharaohs,” Clive Cussler and Graham Brown; “A Forgotten Murder,” Jude Deveraux; “The Final Deception,” Heather Graham; “You Are Not Alone,” Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen; “Devoted,” Dean Koontz; “A Reasonable Doubt,” Phillip Margolin; “Fearless,” Fern Michaels; “Revenge,” James Patterson and Andrew Holmes; “Texas Outlaw,” James Patterson and Andrew Bourelle; “Masked Prey,” John Sandford; “Hit List,” Stuart Woods

Nonfiction: “John Adams Under Fire: The Founding Father’s Fight for Justice in the Boston Massacre Murder Trial,” Dan Abrams and David Fisher; “The End of Mental Illness: How Neuroscience Is Transforming Psychiatry and Helping Prevent or Reverse Mood and Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Addictions, PTSD, Psychosis, Personality Disorders and more,” Daniel G. Amen, M.D.; “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play,” Kobe Bryant; “American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI,” Kate Winkler Dawson; “Eat for Life: The Breakthrough Nutrient Rich Program for Longevity, Disease Reversal and Sustained Weight Loss,” Joel Fuhrman, M.D.; “Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership,” Edward J. Larson; “The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz,” Erik Larson; “Unknown Valor: A Story of Family, Courage, and Sacrifice from Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima,” Martha MacCallum with Ronald J. Drez; “Mengele: Unmasking of the ‘Angel of Death,’” David G. Marwell; “Rachel Maddow,” Lisa Rogak; “Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life,” Carrie Underwood

Juvenile: “The Wizenard Series: Season One,” Wesley King and Kobe Bryant; “The Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure,” Jeff Kinney

Young adult: “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” Holly Jackson

Children’s picture books: “The Undefeated,” Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson; “Macca the Alpaca,” Matt Cosgrove; “Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Bedtime Stories,” Kimberly and James Dean; “Twinkle Thinks Pink!” Katherine Holabird; “Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina,” Lea Lyon; “Dream Big, Little Scientists,” Michelle Schaub; “It’s Okay To Be a Unicorn!” Jason Thar