Product Description

This publication is the complete and unedited edition of Thomas Merton's autobiography. It tells of a life spent in devotion, and offers insights into the religious experience.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #167367 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 440 pages

Customer Reviews

A modern classic of spirituality
'The Seven Story Mountain' (UK title 'Elected Silence') is a modern classic - an intimate biography of a man in search of God and finding Him in the great silence of a Trappist monastery. Born in France in 1912, Merton lives in American and grows increasingly disillusioned with contemporary society. The book chronicles his conversation to Catholicism and details his journey from atheism to a life amongst Cistercian monks in Kentucky. 'The Seven Storey Mountain' is a spiritual autobiography for anybody who cares about the quest for the soul's final harbour. It is a delight.

It Will Leave You Wanting To Read More By Merton.
THE SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN is an honest book. The author does not seem to conceal much about his relationships with his friends, parents, grandparents and brother or his life as a monk. His spiritual climb from being totally immersed in the world as an academic to his entry into the Trappist monastery at Gethsemany is portrayed as a torturous struggle. As the book ends the reader gets the impression that many more such battles are still in store for Merton.

When setting out to read books by this author, I recommend beginning with THE SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN. It will leave you with a desire to read more about Merton's pilgrimage as reflected in his later works.

Modern Classic, the author's spiritual journey through life
Thomas Merton has a knack for describing in clear prose his spiritual journey from Atheism to Christ in a manner accessible to any reader. This book is not stuffy and churchified but fresh and full of insight into the condition of humanity in the twentieth century.