Thomas Merton's 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 religion, world literature, politics and culture. His writing continues to have enormous influence on readers of all ages. This selection from his 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.