A review of the life of Jack London—American novelist and activist
Jack London was an American novelist and activist born in San Francisco, California in 1876. John Griffith Chaney is his biological father, who had Jack London out of wedlock with Flora Wellman and later deserted them. Not many years later, John London married Flora Wellman and adopted Jack as his own son.
Both men played a significant role in Jack London’s life and influenced his writing, with John Griffith Chaney inspiring the character of Wolf Larsen in The Sea-Wolf and John London introducing Jack to the socialist movement. He never knew his mother Flora Wellman very well because she suffered from mental illness and was institutionalized when he was young
Despite a limited formal education, London was a talented writer who started writing early. At age 14, he dropped out of school to get out of poverty and experience adventure. He sailed his sloop around San Francisco Bay, sometimes stealing oysters and other times working for the government fish patrol. As a sailor, he went to the coast of Japan on a sealing schooner in 1893. He also rode freight trains as a hobo (at one point spending 30 days for vagrancy in Buffalo, New York’s Erie County Penitentiary) and was a member of Charles T. Kelly’s industrial army.
London briefly attended the University of California Berkeley but left without graduating. In 1897, he joined the Klondike Gold Rush and spent a year in the Yukon, which provided inspiration for many of his later works. Jack London published a series of essays in the Overland Monthly based on his adventures in the Yukon territory.
He also worked as a war correspondent during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904. London educated himself at public libraries with the writings of Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Nietzsche, usually in popularized forms. This led to a greater exploration of the themes of Darwinism in his later works.
London’s first marriage in 1900 to Bess Maddern gave two adored daughters, but it was not a happy union. Jack London later married Charmian Kittredge who took on the name Charmian London. She was his second wife and played an important role in his life and work, and she is featured in his autobiographical memoir The Cruise of the Snark.
London’s writing career took off in the early 1900s with the publication of his novels, including The Call of the Wild, White Fang, Valley of the Moon, The Star Rover, and The Sea Wolf. He also wrote numerous short stories set in California, where he lived for much of his life, including “To Build a Fire” and “The Law of Life.” London’s semi-autobiographical novel Martin Eden is set in Oakland and San Francisco and is considered his masterpiece.
In addition to his writing, London was also a committed socialist and used his platform to advocate for workers’ rights and social justice. He was an active participant in the socialist movement and even ran for mayor of Oakland on the Socialist Party ticket in 1905. Before that, Jack London worked in a cannery in Oakland, California, which inspired some of his writing.
Despite his success as a writer and activist, London struggled with depression, alcoholism, and vagrancy throughout his life. John Barleycorn is the title of Jack London’s autobiographical novel about his personal struggles with alcoholism. He died by suicide at the age of 40.
Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest American authors and a pioneering activist for social justice of his time.
Jack London State Historic Park is a state park in California that includes the ruins of Jack London’s Wolf House, as well as the cottage where he wrote some of his most famous works. Wolf House was the dream home that Jack London built in 1911. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a fire before he could move in.
Earle Labor is the most prolific biographer of Jack London’s life and has written many books about the author.
Jack London’s books and short stories
London’s works have had a significant impact on American literature and culture. His stories often explore themes of nature, survival, and the human condition. His portrayal of the wilds of Alaska and the Yukon has captured readers’ imaginations for over a century. His activism and advocacy for workers’ rights and social justice have also impacted American society.
“A Thousand Deaths” is the first short story by Jack London. The Son of the Wolf is a collection of short stories that are set in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush.
Fish Patrol is his collection of short stories that focus on his experiences as a member of the California Fish Patrol. The Road is a fun collection of stories and essays about London’s life where he talks about the time he spent on the road. Each story tells about a different part of the hobo’s life, such as getting on a train or stealing a meal.
Jack London had a great influence on other American authors. “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” a short story by Ernest Hemingway, was inspired by London’s work.
His books and short stories are still very popular today. Here is a brief overview of some of his most famous works:
The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild was first published in 1903 and has since become a classic of American literature. The story follows the journey of Buck, a large, domesticated dog living in California during the Klondike Gold Rush.
At the story’s beginning, Buck lives a comfortable life as the pet of a wealthy family. However, he is stolen and sold into the brutal world of sled dog racing in the Yukon. There, he must learn to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment, fighting for food and leadership among the other dogs.
As Buck becomes increasingly in touch with his wild side, he is torn between his loyalty to Thornton and his desire to answer the call of the wild. Ultimately, he makes a fateful decision that leads him on a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment.
The Call of the Wild explores themes of instinct, survival, and the relationship between humans and animals. It is a powerful and moving story that has captured the hearts of readers for over a century. The book is often considered a masterpiece of American literature and has been adapted into numerous films and TV shows.
The Iron Heel
The Iron Heel is a dystopian novel by Jack London that is set in the United States in the early 20th century. The novel explores the rise of oligarchies and the impact of capitalism on the working class. The story begins with Avis recalling her experiences in high school and her encounter with an astrologer who predicts that she will play a key role in shaping the future. She later meets Ernest, a former oyster pirate and Civil War veteran, and falls in love with him.
As Ernest becomes more involved in socialist activism, he and Avis become targets of the ruling class. They are forced to flee to Glen Ellen, a small town in Sonoma, where they meet a group of working-class rebels who are also fighting against the Iron Heel. The story climaxes with a violent revolution and a typhoon that destroys San Francisco.
The Iron Heel is a powerful commentary on the dangers of unchecked capitalism and the need for social reform. It is considered one of Jack London’s most political works and remains a classic of science fiction and dystopian literature.
White Fang
White Fang is a wild wolf-dog hybrid born in the rugged Yukon territory during the Klondike Gold Rush. One day, White Fang is captured by a group of men and sold to a dog fighting ring in San Francisco Bay. However, he is eventually rescued by a kind man named Weedon Scott, who takes him in and treats him with kindness and compassion.
Under Scott’s care, White Fang learns to trust humans and becomes more domesticated. He forms a strong bond with Scott and his family, including his wife Bess, and his sister Joan. White Fang accompanies Scott on a journey to Hawaii and the South Pacific, where they face many dangers and adventures.
As White Fang grows and matures, he becomes more confident and self-assured and ultimately learns to live in harmony with humans and animals. The novel is a powerful exploration of nature, and the struggle to find one’s place in the world and remains one of Jack London’s most enduring works.
“To Build a Fire”
“To Build a Fire” is a short story by Jack London that takes place in the harsh wilderness of the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. The story follows an unnamed protagonist, a lone hobo, who is traveling through the frozen tundra in search of gold. He is accompanied by a wolf-dog.
As the hobo and his dog trek through the frozen landscape, they encounter a series of obstacles and challenges, including a treacherous stream and a dangerous snowdrift. Despite the warnings of an old-timer, who cautions him about the extreme cold, the hobo continues on his journey, convinced that he can make it to his destination.
“To Build a Fire” is a powerful meditation on the forces of nature and the limits of human endurance. It explores themes of survival, instinct, and the harsh realities of life in the wilderness. The story is considered a classic of American literature and remains one of Jack London’s most enduring works.
Listen to Jack London’s books with Speechify
Hear Jack London’s epic tales come to life with Speechify Audiobooks, one of the most popular audiobook providers today. In addition to books previously mentioned, you can listen to more of London’s works including Brown Wolf, Captain Grief, South Sea Tales, and The Scarlet Plague. Collections of Jack London’s short stories are also available in The Short Story Collection: Adventures in Far-Off Places and The Selected Short Stories of Jack London.
Try Speechify today and discover a whole new way to enjoy classic stories though audio.
