THOMAS MERTON IN ALASKA: Prelude to The Asian Journal

Like the relics of the saint he probably was, Merton's writings have by now, 21 years after his death, been nearly picked clean. A few chunks of prose remain, though, including this welcome collection of letters, assorted talks, and a journal--all dating from 1968 and reflecting Merton's growing orientation to the East as well as his perennial wrestlings with contemplation, conscience, and the role of the priest in the political community. Rich leavings, then, spiced up with lighter accents--yespecially in the journal, which finds Merton tuning his writer's antennae as he records a conversation between stewardesses and makes note of a sign he saw in California: ""something beautiful like XAMN RNWY BFR XING.