Merton A Biography

About the book

Originally published fifteen years ago, Merton: A Biography sold 25,000 copies before being taken out of print. For Liguori's reissue, Furlong provides a new introduction, additional material, & a new index to the original edition. Through his work as a spiritual leader, social activist, internationally acclaimed writer, & teacher, Thomas Merton deepened the spiritual life of Christians & non-Christians throughout the world. With great sensitivity & openness, author Monica Furlong meticulously details the life of this incredible man - from his boyhood in France & England, his years at Gethsemani, to his premature death in the Orient. Merton: A Biography illustrates the human side to this twentieth-century prophet. While being one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time, he was also a man, struggling to understand his own spirituality & wrestling with self-doubt & guilt. His struggle to do the right thing is portrayed through his painful psychological development, the adamant social stances he took with controversial movements, & his confrontations with authority. What emerges is a man in search of spiritual enlightenment determined to live a virtuous life. Though Merton never strived to become the great leader he was, he attracted an enormous international following that thrives today.