These pages reveal the character and circumstances of a rare and beloved person. It is a book which seemingly ends in tragedy, but the tragic element, which is a part of life, is transcended by his vibrant humanity. So says Amiya Chakravarty, consulting editor of this work. Father Thomas Merton?s recording of his fateful trip to the Orient takes readers on a fascinating journey as well. It includes photographs taken by Merton as well as appendixes and a glossary of Asian religious terms.