In the fourth volume of the acclaimed Journals of Thomas Merton, Merton emerges as the political and social activist and maverick mystic that the world has come to love and chronicles his growing concern for social issues.

Despite attempts to retreat into a more contemplative lifestyle, the Merton of his volume finds himself inexorably drawn back to the world. His celebrity status and increasing involvement in the movement for peace, civil rights, justice, and nonviolence bring him into conflict with his superiors, who advise him to leave these issues to the bishops and theologians.