*Merton, Thomas: - Thomas Merton (1915-1968)--Catholic convert, Cistercian monk, hermit, poet, contemplative, social critic, and pioneer in interreligious dialogue--was a seminal figure of twentieth-century American Christianity. Among his many books are his best-selling autobiography The Seven Stor...

*Merton, Thomas: - Thomas Merton (1915-1968)--Catholic convert, Cistercian monk, hermit, poet, contemplative, social critic, and pioneer in interreligious dialogue--was a seminal figure of twentieth-century American Christianity. Among his many books are his best-selling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain and the modern spiritual classic New Seeds of Contemplation *.