To Build a Fire and Other Favorite Stories

By Jack London

Book Overview

Born into poverty, Jack London led a knockabout existence before achieving success as one of the most popular authors of his era. In the course of his brief but active life, he sought adventure -- as a hobo, prospector, sailor, and a dozen other occupations -- along with self-education from the works of Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche, and Jung. The vitality and variety of London's experiences are reflected in his stories, which range from earthy accounts of survival in the Arctic and the South Sea Islands to gripping tales of political upheaval and drama within the boxing ring.
The short story format offers an ideal showcase for London's narrative genius, providing a focus for the great power and fluency of his language. This collection features 13 of London's best works in the genre, including his most acclaimed short story, "To Build a Fire," in which a new arrival to the Klondike stubbornly ignores warnings about the folly of traveling alone. Additional tales include "A Piece of Steak," "The Mexican," "The Law of Life," "All Gold Canyon," and eight others.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486466566
• ISBN13: 9780486466569
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

One of the Greats!

This was one of the first short stories I read to improve my English when I arrived in the United States. It still grips me because of how well the main story is written!

Against Nature

About 6 months ago our battery First Sgt. decided to have everybody ruck with over 40 pounds on their back through 12 inch snow and negative degree temperatures at 5 in the morning. I lasted through that march because I had been there before. Thanks to this GREAAAAAAT BOOOOOK. If you read London you actually get tougher!!! One of my favorite short stories is entitled THe ODYSSEY. It tells the story of a great young indian who pursues the maiden of his heart across the globe. She was captured by a rich,large and white conqueror. The ending is spectacular because you understand how this new frontierland could never go back to it's way of life. In addition to detailing man at his toughest London has a rich understanding of man's compassion. Also unlike all those writers who live in New York and hit the coctail circuit, London actually lived the stuff he wrote about. He lived on ships, met trappers, drank a lot of whisky and actually froze his behind many a night in Alaska. This is not fiction he is writing about but are stories he lived through or gathered on many a cold night, while a fire burned with his frontier bretheren out in the last North American frontier.

awesome icebreaker

When I got this book, I really didn't know what to expect, having only read 'To Build a Fire' about 12 years ago. Now I'm hooked on London. This collection is without a doubt an excellent starting point for anyone who is unfamiliar but curious about London's writings. His Klondike tales are his best, and by no means are they monotonous. He manages to extract many unique scenarios that the harsh conditions of the North can create. His other stories aren't as fascinating, but each still has an interesting twist to it. Whether it be prize fighting, blue collar labor, or warfare, London makes shrewd psychoogical insights that also illuminate his clearly socialist opinions. I can't say enough about London's abilities.

Singularly the most riviting short story ever written

Man, alone against nature, at his most vulnerable, this is the dramatic story that every person can understand London is not a feel good writer, he tells the story in all its brutal truth.