This book contains the journal and letters Merton wrote during his Alaskan visit in 1968, just prior to his fateful trip to the East. The writings were published in a limited edition in 1977 as THE ALASKAN JOURNAL by Turkey Press. To this have been added the transcriptions of the informal but pithy talks he gave in Eagle River and Anchorage. These conferences are interesting for the direct light they throw on Merton"s thinking about prayer, religious life and community, the priestly tradition, and they are enhanced by their spontaneous quality which gives a palpable sense of being in Merton"s presence.