Jack London

The Iron Heel (1907) is a novel by American writer Jack London. A groundbreaking work of dystopian science fiction, The Iron Heel was, inspired by London's socialist views and belief in an eventual global upheaval. Although his predictions proved wrong for the United States of the early-twentieth century, London was, recognized by such figures as George Orwell for his foresight regarding the rise of fascism in Europe. The novel is, told from the perspective...

A Daughter of the Snows is Jack London's first novel. Set in the Yukon, it tells the story of Frona Welse, "a Stanford graduate and physical Valkyrie" who takes to the trail after upsetting her wealthy father's community by her forthright manner and befriending the town's prostitute. She is also torn between love for two suitors: Gregory St. Vincent, a local man who turns out to be cowardly and treacherous, and Vance Corliss, a Yale-trained mining...

Elam Harnish has more money than he would ever need. As he accumulates wealth as a successful entrepreneur in the Alaskan Gold Rush, Harnish must face the challenges of the Yukon Territory. After he makes a fortune, Harnish finds himself still unsatisfied. In efforts to find a new challenge and make more money, Harnish decides to move down to the mainland of America, settling in California. However, after a group of money kings threaten to take his...

"The Cruise of the Dazzler" is a 1902 boy's adventure novel by Jack London. Set in his home town of San Francisco, the story revolves around a boy called Joe Bronson who, unhappy with his mundane life at school, runs away to become a member of the crew of a boat in San Francisco Bay. However, he soon realizes that the captain and its screw are involved in illicit activities. The story is based on London's own experiences as an oyster pirate in San...

"A Son of the Sun" is a 1912 novel by Jack London. It is set in the South Pacific at the beginning of the 20th century and consists of eight separate stories. David Grief is a forty-year-old English adventurer who came to the South seas years ago and became rich. As a businessman he owns offices in Sydney, but he is rarely there. Since his wealth spreads over a lot of islands, Grief has some adventures while going among these islands. London depicts...

Told from the perspective of Bassett, an English scientist, Jack London's The Red One follows an astonishing expedition in the Solomon Islands. Originally, on a quest to collect butterflies, Bassett explores the jungle of Guadalcanal. However, the scientist finds much more than just butterflies. After being kidnapped by a cannibalistic tribe, Bassett is saved by a native woman, who leads him to her settlement. As he learns of the strange politics...

Love of Life and Other Stories (1906) is a collection of short stories by American writer Jack London. Containing eight stories by the author, a master of literary Naturalism and an experienced outdoorsman and adventurer, Love of Life and Other Stories explores the experience of humanity on the edge of civilization. Set mostly in Canada and Alaska, these stories follow characters for whom survival is a constant struggle, for whom death is as familiar...

From the same series that produced the classic and beloved novel, Call of the Wild, Jack London's Jerry of the Islands accompanies the other Jack London stories that portray dog protagonists. Born on the Santa Isabelle Island, Jerry, an Irish terrier, belongs to a slave owner named Mr. Haggin. On the plantation, Jerry is responsible for chasing the slaves, as ordered by Mr. Haggin. He is content on the plantation, but when Captain Van Horn comes into...

From 'The League of the Old Men' At the Barracks a man was being tried for his life. He was an old man, a native from the Whitefish River, which empties into the Yukon below Lake Le Barge. All Dawson was wrought up over the affair, and likewise the Yukon-dwellers for a thousand miles up and down. It has been the custom of the land-robbing and sea-robbing Anglo-Saxon to give the law to conquered peoples, and ofttimes this law is harsh. But in the case...

Percival Ford wondered why he had come. He did not dance. He did not care much for army people. Yet he knew them all— gliding and revolving there on the broad lanai of the Seaside, the officers in their fresh-starched uniforms of white, the civilians in white and black, and the women bare of shoulders and arms. After two years in Honolulu the Twentieth was departing to its new station in Alaska, and Percival Ford, as one of the big men of the Islands,...