Thomas Merton

Knowing that Merton's autobiography "The Seven Storey Mountain" does not encompass his entire life, one must seek a more complete biography to learn the whole story. Cornelia and Irving Sussman produced a concise version which I might recommend. A 170 page biography is inadequate to describe the life story of most people, but this is particularly true for Thomas Merton. Born to parents that were artists, Merton was raised with an appreciation for art. However, it was not until his 20's that he converted to Catholicism and gave his life to God. Then he combined his love for God with his appreciation for art. His college studies at Columbia influenced a pacifist mentality and a contemplative outlook on spirituality. When he entered a Trappist Monestary, he tooking writing as his form of contemplation. God allowed him to communicate with many through his writing without having to speak a word. Though he never profitted a cent from the works that he published, it was through this writing that he became one of the great Christian influences of the 20th Century. Merton's books still have an impact today. I would encourage readers to read his original works as they are a treasure to Christians.