Thomas Merton: An Introduction [Paperback]

William H. Shannon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2005

He was something of a legendary figure among the old boys of his generation and he was clearly something of a rebel.

That description of Thomas Merton by his English headmaster influenced this captivating introductory look at the monk-writer and his works. Merton scholar William H. Shannon presents Merton s life story to suggest that this mid twentieth-century writer can speak meaningfully to women and men now several years into a new century, to develop... some of the themes that make their way through his writings, and to suggest a possible order for reading his books as one enters into the huge library of Mertoniana....
From the Introduction

Editorial Reviews

Review

precisely what is needed today to introduce a whole new audience to the life and writings of Thomas Merton. William Shannon, in his usual insightful and balanced way, makes a compelling case for Merton s continued relevance. --Br. Patrick Hart, O.C.S.O., general editor of the Merton Journals

How is it that one life can be so inexhaustible? I think it is because Merton, apart from being brilliant and in search of the Ultimate, is both medium and message, both style and substance. No one brings both parts together better than William Shannon. Maybe because Shannon is the same. --Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Shannon brings to this remarkable and refreshing book many of the qualities which identify Thomas Merton: humanity, style, drama, spirituality, scholarship. Shannon s judgments are astute, his sensitivity to others keen, his balance liberating, his openness engaging. Had Merton a choice of who might remember him and clarify him, Shannon would have been selected, with gratitude and eagerness. --Dr. Anthony T. Padavano, Catholic theologian, Merton scholar

About the Author

WILLIAM H. SHANNON, professor emeritus in the religious studies department at Nazareth College, is a priest of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. He is the author of numerous books, including Thomas Merton s Paradise Journey: Writings on Contemplation, An Introduction and Exploring the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He is the founding president of the International Thomas Merton Society.

Product Details

• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: St. Anthony Messenger Press; Revised edition (September 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867167106
• ISBN-13: 978-0867167108
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,059,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh, Inspiring, Practical, December 3, 2005

By 

Carol Blank (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Thomas Merton: An Introduction (Paperback)

Though this is a book about Merton, a word about its author, William H. Shannon, is in order before getting to the content. In addition to being a professor emeritus of religious studies, Shannon is the founding president of the International Thomas Merton Society, general editor of Merton's published letters, and author of numerous books on spirituality. So, one finds the expected level of expertise and objectivity on all things Merton, but also a taste of Fr. Shannon's own spirituality. In the introduction the author enumerates a three-pronged purpose in writing this book: showing that Merton's message is meaningful for current readers, presenting major themes that flow through Merton's enormous body of work, and recommending an order for reading Merton's books.

The organization and writing style make this my current favorite among books about Thomas Merton. The gifts of Merton and Shannon seem to combine to bring something fresh and inspiring to every page. The biography is a true introduction. The section on themes is a useful synthesis of Merton's spiritual growth, always with undertones showing how others can follow his path. And the recommendations for reading Merton are way beyond a book list: Shannon devotes 12 pages to Merton's most popular book, Seven Storey Mountain, giving its history and a section-by-section reading guide. Other major works are treated in similar style with similar detail.