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Thomas Merton (1915--1968) was a Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, as well as a bestselling writer, poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. This posthumously published book is a collection of prefaces that Merton wrote for international editions of his books, which often give insight as he looks back with the advantage of hindsight. Merton suggests that the major message in his books is that "the contemplative life applies wherever there is life."