Passion For Peace: The Social Essays - Hardcover

Thomas Merton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0824514947 ISBN 13: 9780824514945

Publisher: Crossroad, 1995

Synopsis

This comprehensive volume contains Thomas Merton's principal writings on non-violence, war, and racism. Much of what he wrote between 1961 and 1968 is prophetic and speaks penetratingly to our time. Wars and rumors of war are still with us. Justice and love remain a dream. In most of these articles, it's as if Merton is actually writing in the 1990s. He is speaking to us - reminding us of the essential oneness that roots the equal dignity of all peoples.
Merton's writings on social issues flowed from a deep contemplative vision. Editor William Shannon puts each essay in context and reveals how this vision developed. We see a side of Merton's character that does not come through in his other books: his passion for peace and the ardor with which he pleaded for it in a world where people so desperately yearn for it. Passion for Peace is a book of testament, vision, and hope.

About this title

About the Author:

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a writer and Trappist monk at Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. His writings include such classics as The Seven Storey Mountain, New Seeds of Contemplation, and Zen and the Birds of Appetite. Merton is the author of more than seventy books that include poetry, personal journals, collections of letters, social criticism, and writings on peace, justice, and ecumenism.

Review:

Skillfully edited by William H. Shannon, Passion For Peace: The Social Essays is a comprehensive volume containing Thomas Merton's principal writings on non-violence, war, and racism. Much of what he wrote between 1961 and 1968 is prophetic and speaks penetratingly to our time thirty years later. Wars and rumors of war are still with us. Justice and love remain a dream. In most of these articles, it's as if Merton is actually writing in the 1990s! He is speaking to us -- reminding us of the essential oneness that roots the equal dignity of all people. Merton's writings on social issues flowed from a deep contemplative vision. Shannon puts each of Merton's essays in context and reveals how this vision developed. We see a side of Merton's character that does not come through in his other books: his passion for peace and the ardor with which he pleaded for it in a world where people so desperately yearn for it. Passion For Peace is a book of testament, vision, and hope. This is yet another legacy Merton left behind for the enlightenment and encouragement of future generations. -- Midwest Book Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Crossroad
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0824514947
• ISBN 13: 9780824514945
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 338
• Editor: William H. Shannon