The author was quite a hero in his own right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Howard_Griffin

As is the case with many Merton biographers, he knew the man and carried deep affection for him. He had access to Merton and his journals decades before the rest of us.

A political quote from page 25:

"And the implicit assumption behind it all... is that 'we' are the injured ones, we are trying to keep peace and order, and 'they' (abetted by communist demons) are simply causing confusion and chaos, with no reasonable motives whatever. Hence 'we,' being attacked (God and justice are also attacked in us) have to defend ourselves, God, justice, etc. Dealing with these 'inferior' people
becomes a technical problem something like pest extermination. In a word, the psychology of the Alabama police becomes in fact the psychology of America as world policeman."

1965 or 2005? HHHmmmm.....