Merton kept a journal from the age of 16, and this selection from its seven volumes shows him struggling almost daily with the clash between his monastic vocation and his desire to move on a bigger stage. Lovers of Merton will love this book; those who view him with more scepticism will find it hard not to be attracted by his clear style and pursuit of an innocent vision. Edited by Patrick Hart, a fellow monk at Merton's old monastery, and Jonathan Montaldo, the director of the Thomas Merton Centre, the book redacts Merton's journals to a fascinating chronicle of his life from just before he entered the monastery to the day of his death in an electrical accident in Bangkok. Eight pages of black and white photos capture the zest and spirituality of the man, while a complete index illustrates the wide range of his reading and friendships. Together with a handsome design and solid feel they make The Intimate Merton an excellent companion to Merton's classic autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain. --Dwight Longenecker --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Synopsis
Thomas Merton's influence and appeal has reached far beyond the confines of his monastic world. The publication in 1948 of his classic memoir "The Seven Storey Mountain" established him as a highly successful writer, whose searingly honest and visionary writing has the power to inspire believers and non-believers alike. From within one of the strictest monastic orders he campaigned for social justice and peace, wrote poetry, a play and popular books on the spiritual life as well as essays engaging his passionate interests in contemplative traditions of the East and the West, world literature, politics and culture. His writing continues to have enormous influence on readers of all ages. This selection of journals (originally published in seven volumes) is a powerful chronological presentation of his life. By turns inspiringly profound, breathtakingly beautiful and hauntingly moving, Merton here describes the daily sadness and joys of his relentless search to know God.