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Thomas Merton: A Life Inspired
Thomas Merton is one of the most famous American Catholic authors of the twentieth century. A prolific writer, Merton published thirty-six books and collections of poems while he was alive over the span of twenty-seven years, and has thirty-eight posthumous publications that bear his name. Even more impressive than his voluminous output, however, is his deep spirituality that enraptured generations of people seeking intimate union with God. This is the story of a man who sought God throughout his life and dedicated himself to a life of holiness.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 29, 2016
Thomas Merton: A Life Inspired is like the rest of the biographies written by Wyatt North is a short book chock full of facts about the Trappist monk, Thomas Merton. He was a prolific author with publication credits in the hundreds. His most famous work was his autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. In addition he was an activist, renown for his calls for end of suffering, civil rights, disarmament, and other causes. Wyatt North's biographical sketch of Merton is a story of love for mankind, the Catholic Church, and most important of all, Christ. Merton had an all-consuming love for Christ that transcended everything Merton did. It was Christ living through him.
Thomas Merton did not start out to be a monk and indeed his life up until shortly before he became a monk was anything but that of a faithful steward of Christ. And like most people, he failed from time to time, most infamously becoming involved with a woman later on in life. However, he found the path again and reaffirmed his vows, including that of celibacy.
Wyatt North's sketch of Thomas Merton's life, as I said above, is a short read. The writing is simple, easy to understand, even for youths in senior high schools, though there are parts that the writing has a different, more sophisticated, feel. In these brief biographical sketches the reader also taught, gently, in a genuine manner, about Catholicism to a limited extent. There are suggested readings for those wanting to pursue the life of Thomas Merton or Catholicism further.
Thomas Merton did not start out to be a monk and indeed his life up until shortly before he became a monk was anything but that of a faithful steward of Christ. And like most people, he failed from time to time, most infamously becoming involved with a woman later on in life. However, he found the path again and reaffirmed his vows, including that of celibacy.
Wyatt North's sketch of Thomas Merton's life, as I said above, is a short read. The writing is simple, easy to understand, even for youths in senior high schools, though there are parts that the writing has a different, more sophisticated, feel. In these brief biographical sketches the reader also taught, gently, in a genuine manner, about Catholicism to a limited extent. There are suggested readings for those wanting to pursue the life of Thomas Merton or Catholicism further.
December 21, 2017
A very brief assessment of his life which gives an introduction to the man, but the lack of any depth leaves the reader with huge gaps in understanding Merton. The author breezes through the last 25 years of his life, leaving the reader a little empty. Reading Merton's own words in his writings is more worthwhile.
May 16, 2017
Most of the pre-monastery days I knew from "The Seven-Storey Mountain ". The rest of Merton's life is interesting, but this book is more of a sketch. I'm interested in finding other sources. Also, the note of judgment in the author's prose at times both amused me and threw me off. If you want a brief sketch of Thomas Merton's life, this will serve. If you want to dig deeper, don't bother
March 1, 2017
Offered as a free ebook, this was a quick and factual review of Merton's life. I've been wanting for a long time to read Merton's "The Seven Storey Mountain", so when I saw this free book I thought I'd read it as a quick intro to Merton's life. It served the purpose, though the writing felt like a school biography report, probably written at a young adult level.
October 9, 2017
Very good biography
This biography was a thorough overview of Thomas Merton's life. It gave a nice buy-in to his contribution to American thinking. In fact, I read this book because I discovered Merton's effect upon President Kennedy while reading about the Cuban Missile Crisis. I thought this book was very well done, an interesting read.
This biography was a thorough overview of Thomas Merton's life. It gave a nice buy-in to his contribution to American thinking. In fact, I read this book because I discovered Merton's effect upon President Kennedy while reading about the Cuban Missile Crisis. I thought this book was very well done, an interesting read.
February 27, 2017
Life story of a Trappist Monk who also is a Catholic writer. The first half of the book was written like an 8 th grader. The last quarter of the book is written in a different style with many large words.
September 14, 2017
Thomas Merton: paradox or not?
I chose 5 stars because the author has outlined Merton's life in a clear and understandable way. One is left with one question: Is Merton's life consistent or not? Probably only God can decide.
I chose 5 stars because the author has outlined Merton's life in a clear and understandable way. One is left with one question: Is Merton's life consistent or not? Probably only God can decide.
December 25, 2017
Interesting biography of an interesting person
Very informative and thought provoking! I'd never heard of Thomas Merton. This book was very thought provoking & helpful,in my own spiritual journey.
Very informative and thought provoking! I'd never heard of Thomas Merton. This book was very thought provoking & helpful,in my own spiritual journey.
September 8, 2019
Discovery
Thomas Merton was always a mystery to me. Receiving a Catholic education I had heard about him. Yet he a?ways seemed a mystery man Now I know that he was controversial.Was he a good man or not. I can make my own decision. I appreciated this book very much.
Thomas Merton was always a mystery to me. Receiving a Catholic education I had heard about him. Yet he a?ways seemed a mystery man Now I know that he was controversial.Was he a good man or not. I can make my own decision. I appreciated this book very much.
October 10, 2021
Thomas Merton
I'm not much of a reader of biographies. After I had read a quote of Merton's in another book but I became interested in what his life was like. I found this book within a list of offerings in an email and decided to give it a try. I did enjoy reading it.
I'm not much of a reader of biographies. After I had read a quote of Merton's in another book but I became interested in what his life was like. I found this book within a list of offerings in an email and decided to give it a try. I did enjoy reading it.
May 5, 2017
History
My mother always told me if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all. I gave it two stars for historical value.
My mother always told me if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all. I gave it two stars for historical value.
January 23, 2018
An ok overview of Merton's life. I didn't find it particularly engaging. (Obviously, as it took me half a year to get through.)
October 7, 2019
Childish and uninsightful.
December 8, 2019
Significantly lighter than I had anticipated. This book barely skimmed the surface, focusing on the top layer of "who, what, when," with little or no depth. Very disappointed.
August 24, 2022
This was a quick, easy, interesting read on the life of Merton. It covers all the major highlights of his life.
March 23, 2017
A short biography with a lot of facts, but hardly conveys the complexities of a man who sought sanctity and whose life ended in a surge of power.
March 15, 2017
Quick Overview Pious, sympathetic, constructive
Though a simple chronology summarizing secondary sources, this overview is helpful as a fair yet friendly introduction to Merton, a good starting point that could encourage,empower, and guide further study . Geared for a pious Catholic who has limited information or even concerns/confusion about Merton, the tone is at once generous and measured.
Though a simple chronology summarizing secondary sources, this overview is helpful as a fair yet friendly introduction to Merton, a good starting point that could encourage,empower, and guide further study . Geared for a pious Catholic who has limited information or even concerns/confusion about Merton, the tone is at once generous and measured.
March 6, 2017
Very interesting and informative story of a religious man
The author has written a story of a religious man who has made an impact on the churches teachings even though it was not the same as other church leaders.
The author has written a story of a religious man who has made an impact on the churches teachings even though it was not the same as other church leaders.
February 28, 2017
This for me is a foreword into The Seven Storey Mountain. Merton becomes a person of interest.
February 27, 2017
Interested in more
I would really like to read Seven Story mountain now out of curiosity about Thomas Merton and his own views
I would really like to read Seven Story mountain now out of curiosity about Thomas Merton and his own views
November 4, 2016
Truly a life inspired
After reading this book on Thomas Merton., Wyatt North could not have summed up Merton life any better in just 95 pages.
I've read a lot Merton writings so what Wyatt puts in this book will truly get you up to speed on Merton's life.
May be the title should be "Get up to speed: With Thomas Merton"
After reading this book on Thomas Merton., Wyatt North could not have summed up Merton life any better in just 95 pages.
I've read a lot Merton writings so what Wyatt puts in this book will truly get you up to speed on Merton's life.
May be the title should be "Get up to speed: With Thomas Merton"
January 3, 2020
These Wyatt North "A Life Inspired" bios are a good quick introduction to their subject.
April 13, 2017
It is always edifying to read a life of one who has chosen to dedicate themselves to God. This book, in the Wyatt North series of biographies, is a good introduction to the person and persona of Thomas Merton. It is a reminder too that saints are not the dry and dusty creatures of old musty smelling books who lived in a semi-fantasy world in the middle ages and beyond.
Thomas Merton is a modern-day saint (he only died at the end of 1968), who has faced modern-day issues and dilemmas. Even so, his life is a reminder of the Biblical admonition that we are to be a contradiction in the world. If one is to read the old hagiographies of ancient saints, they seem to have faced no "real" obstacles. It was always known they would overcome - frequently by miraculous means - any challenges they faced in life. Merton, however, was a prolific author in his own right. As such, many of his conflicts (especially of the interior variety) are known and knowable by us.
Thomas Merton lived in the world and wavered between being of it or being beyond it. The struggles he faced were very real and are instructive to those of us still facing the challenges of this world. He had to face the questions of how to react to modernism and the changeable theologies and moralities of the day. He had an irrefutable source of power, however, in turning to God.
Sainthood is not for sissies. In our day, the complexities of reaching for sainthood are ever more difficult. We have progressed far beyond mere physical temptations to highly complex questions of faith and morals. We have sophistic justifications for shades of morality and venality. It is ever more important to be vigilant for our souls against the subtle seductions of the age.
Thomas Merton is a modern-day saint (he only died at the end of 1968), who has faced modern-day issues and dilemmas. Even so, his life is a reminder of the Biblical admonition that we are to be a contradiction in the world. If one is to read the old hagiographies of ancient saints, they seem to have faced no "real" obstacles. It was always known they would overcome - frequently by miraculous means - any challenges they faced in life. Merton, however, was a prolific author in his own right. As such, many of his conflicts (especially of the interior variety) are known and knowable by us.
Thomas Merton lived in the world and wavered between being of it or being beyond it. The struggles he faced were very real and are instructive to those of us still facing the challenges of this world. He had to face the questions of how to react to modernism and the changeable theologies and moralities of the day. He had an irrefutable source of power, however, in turning to God.
Sainthood is not for sissies. In our day, the complexities of reaching for sainthood are ever more difficult. We have progressed far beyond mere physical temptations to highly complex questions of faith and morals. We have sophistic justifications for shades of morality and venality. It is ever more important to be vigilant for our souls against the subtle seductions of the age.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews