Book Description
A modern-day Confessions of Saint Augustine, The Seven Storey Mountain is one of the most influential religious works of the twentieth century. This edition contains an introduction by Merton's editor, Robert Giroux, and a note to the reader by biographer William H. Shannon. It tells of the growing restlessness of a brilliant and passionate young man whose search for peace and faith leads him, at the age of twenty-six, to take vows in one of the most demanding Catholic orders-the Trappist monks. At the Abbey of Gethsemani, "the four walls of my new freedom," Thomas Merton struggles to withdraw from the world, but only after he has fully immersed himself in it. The Seven Storey Mountain has been a favorite of readers ranging from Graham Greene to Claire Booth Luce, Eldridge Cleaver, and Frank McCourt. And, in the half-century since its original publication, this timeless spiritual tome has been published in over twenty languages and has touched millions of lives.

Synopsis
The fervor of his progress to the Trappist monastery at Gethsemani is deeply moving. It is a difficult matter to write about, but I think there will be many who, however alien the experience may remain to them personally, will put the narrative down with wonder and respect. --New York Herald Tribune Books. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title

Synopsis
This classic of faith has touched millions of lives--and is now available in a beautiful gift edition. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title

Synopsis
This autobiography of Merton, one of the 20th century's most profound and beloved exemplars of Christian spirituality, tells the gripping story of his path from troubled youth to Trappist monk. 2 cassettes. --This text refers to the audio cassette edition of this title

About the Author
Despite choosing a life of contemplation and prayer, Thomas Merton continued to belong to the world, communicating with some of the most famous activists, artists, politicians, and theologians of his day, and writing dozens of books, as well as innumerable articles and essays. His spiritual odyssey eventually led him to Buddhism. He died in 1968.

Synopsis
Fifty years after it was first published and thirty years after Thomas Merton'sdeath, The Seven Storey Mountain is hailed as a classic autobiography of faith.

Annotation
The autobiography of a young man who led a worldly life and then at the age of 26, entered a Trappist monastery.

From The Publisher
A modern-day Confessions of Saint Augustine, The Seven Storey Mountain isone of the most influential religious works of the twentieth century. This editioncontains an introduction by Merton's editor, Robert Giroux, and a note to the reader bybiographer William H. Shannon. It tells of the growing restlessness of a brilliant andpassionate young man whose search for peace and faith leads him, at the age oftwenty-six, to take vows in one of the most demanding Catholic orders-the Trappist monks.At the Abbey of Gethsemani, "the four walls of my new freedom," Thomas Merton strugglesto withdraw from the world, but only after he has fully immersed himself in it. TheSeven Storey Mountain has been a favorite of readers ranging from Graham Greene to ClaireBooth Luce, Eldridge Cleaver, and Frank McCourt. And, in the half-century since itsoriginal publication, this timeless spiritual tome has been published in over twentylanguages and has touched millions of lives.

Reviews
From Elizabeth Powers 
It is in many ways a young person's book, in the best sense of the term. -- Wall Street Journal