Although famed for his Augustine-like conversion to Catholicism and his richly textured life (author, social activist, philosopher, contemplative), the essence of Thomas Merton was undoubtedly his profound spirituality. A Trappist monk himself, Pennington here offers insight into the cloistered existence, illuminating Merton's conviction that the monastic discipline is the surest path to achieving inner peace and freedom. He traces the course of Merton's progress from worldly young man to eremite and, drawing on Merton's writings and the views of those who knew him, presents an evocative portrayal of Merton's development into one of the charismatic religious personages of our age. While at times verging on the adulatory, (Pennington finds Merton's controversial romantic liaison with a woman a sign of spiritual strength), this account of a spiritual journey will charm those intrigued by this paradoxical figure.