I read a book review in America Magazine that contained this stunning paragraph:

"The Inner Experience is a significant addition to Thomas Merton’s (1915-68) books in print. In this text Merton, the most prolific and widely read Christian spiritual author of the 20th century, gives an orderly approach to his thought on contemplation available in no other text. Further, the first four chapters are a superb general introduction to Christian spirituality—amazing, since the text was written in 1959, several years before the spiritual renewal prompted by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)."

Whaaaa??? it is amazing that someone wrote a superb general introduction to Christian spirituality in 1959????? Before a supposed "spiritual renewal"??? What planet is this reviewer living on? I have not read America for years and after reading through several recent issues at the library, I see I have not missed much.