"This is a much-needed bridge to reach Merton, or visit him again, so we can sit with the themes of solitude, inner freedom, silence, and respect for all humanity.”
—Robert J. Wicks, author, The Tao of Ordinariness: Humility and Simplicity in a Narcissistic Age
“If Thomas Merton’s life and work amount to something like the Louvre or the Met—full of shimmering masterpieces, weird sketches, and hidden subterranean passageways—Sweeney is the perfect docent to show us around. This indispensable guide to America’s most famous monk is both spirited and measured, an insightful examination of a monolithic writer that never veers into hagiography.”
—Dan Hornsby, author of Via Negativa: A Novel
"Beautifully written and expertly researched, this is a truly superb short introduction to the life of one of the great spiritual masters of our time—of any time."
—James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage and Becoming Who You Are: Insights on the True Self from Thomas Merton and Other Saints
