Thomas Merton was the most popular proponent of the Christian contemplative tradition in the twentieth century. Now, for the first time, some of his most lyrical and prayerful writings have been arranged into A Book of Hours, a rich resource for daily prayer and contemplation that imitates the increasingly popular ancient monastic practice of "praying the hours".

Thomas Merton was the most popular proponent of the Christian contemplative tradition in the twentieth century. Now, for the first time, some of his most lyrical and prayerful writings have been arranged into A Book of Hours, a rich resource for daily prayer and contemplation that imitates the increasingly popular ancient monastic practice of "praying the hours".

Editor Kathleen Deignan mined Merton's voluminous writings, arranging prayers for Dawn, Day, Dusk, and Dark for each of the days of the week. A Book of Hours allows for a slice of monastic contemplation in the midst of hectic modern life, with psalms, prayers, readings, and reflections.

This makes Merton's writings so wonderfully accessible. Some find him a challenge, but these excerpts used a songs, psalms, prayers and more give a new context to a brilliant spiritual writer. It's my perfect prayerbook. ( )

While I love Merton's writings, I found ther format as an Office of Prayer a bit 'forced.' It does not make for appeciable reading of Merton. An excellent devotional read, but not one that I would recommend for either daily private prayer or as an introduction to Thomas Meton. ( )

I love Merton but this is not one of my favorites. I like what the Editor was trying to do but to use this every day as a primary prayer book would be a challenge. The words should lead one to a deeper sense of contemplation; instead, the reader get stuck on the words themselves. ( )