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.