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A Collection of Stories
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84 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1993
748 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
Jack London
7,748 books7,735 followersJohn Griffith Chaney, better known as Jack London, was an American novelist, journalist and activist. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to become an international celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing. He was also an innovator in the genre that would later become known as science fiction.
London was part of the radical literary group "The Crowd" in San Francisco and a passionate advocate of animal rights, workers’ rights and socialism. London wrote several works dealing with these topics, such as his dystopian novel The Iron Heel, his non-fiction exposé The People of the Abyss, War of the Classes, and Before Adam.
His most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in Alaska and the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as the short stories "To Build a Fire", "An Odyssey of the North", and "Love of Life". He also wrote about the South Pacific in stories such as "The Pearls of Parlay" and "The Heathen".
London was part of the radical literary group "The Crowd" in San Francisco and a passionate advocate of animal rights, workers’ rights and socialism. London wrote several works dealing with these topics, such as his dystopian novel The Iron Heel, his non-fiction exposé The People of the Abyss, War of the Classes, and Before Adam.
His most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in Alaska and the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as the short stories "To Build a Fire", "An Odyssey of the North", and "Love of Life". He also wrote about the South Pacific in stories such as "The Pearls of Parlay" and "The Heathen".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 3, 2023
This marks the end of a 12-year long reading odyssey through every Jack London short story read in the order that they were written. The journey is representative of a walk through London’s life.
London constantly sought adventure. At first, his journeys were purposed towards his own survival. Then after his success, his journeys represented his effort to push his human existence towards its limits. In both cases, he seemed to sense that creating reality in words required a level of physical and emotional experiences that far exceeded those of everyday life.
Thus, his stories mostly follow follow the path of his life. His first story, "Typhoon Off the Coast of Japan," echoes his time as a lowly seaman working on a sealer in the northern Pacific. From there, the stories continue on through his Northland tales, South Sea tales, urban life stories, and Hawaiian-focused tales. That’s not to say, however, that London did not occasionally jump back to previous themes at the request of specific buyers.
The sale of his material seems to have been the primary focus of his writing. He possessed a natural talent for writing, but his early pursuits were spent honing that talent into a marketable product, almost to his own demise. He initially loved writing because he dreamed that it would elevate him out of the abys of poverty. Upon his success, he loved writing because it made that dream come true.
The entrepreneurial approach to his craft ultimately made him very wealthy. And occasionally, his talent produced a timeless gem. If I were given the chance to assemble a collection of the best of Jack London stories, they would include these 19 out of the 192 stories that he wrote.
184.) "The Red One"
175.) "By The Turtles of Tasman!"
169.) "A Little Account with Swithin Hall"
149.) "The Night-Born"
147.) “A Piece of Steak”
143.) "The Strength of the Strong"
134.) "Aloha Oe"
132.) “Koolau the Leper”
129.) "Chinago"
122.) "To Build a Fire" (v2)
113.) "Finis"
109.) "The Apostate"
104.) "The Unexpected"
98.) "Love of Life"
87.) "The League of the Old Men"
52.) "The Law of Life"
48.) "The God of His Fathers"
35.) "The Wisdom of the Trail"
19.) "The White Silence"
Of the above-listed stories, my supreme favorite is "The Law of Life." In that story, London captures a harsh reality and places it on the page. There is no sense of moderation for the sake of public acceptability and it may be telling that it was written in the midst of a group of Northland tales that were above average in their content. As such, the story may represent the peak of London’s writing career as an artist. The other outstanding stories that followed “The Law of Life” seem to be more isolated within the bulk of his work.
The most noteworthy of the best-of stories would be "The Red One." Not only does it focus on the realism of the South Sea, it is also ventures into a light-weight version of science fiction. Add to this its gallows humor and it becomes a sort of monument that demonstrates London’s talent.
Then there is the racism that explicitly finds its way into many of London’s stories. This revolting aspect of his writing indeed threatens its long-term virility. As society continually atones for its mistakes, this aspect of London’s writing will become evermore repulsive than it is now. But therein lies the reason for its presence.
London’s goal in writing was to capture life as it was during his time. London was indeed a racist, but his views were a reflection of society as it existed in his day. Society bought his stories and London became exceeding wealthy because of it, racism included. Therefore, this aspect of his writing should be used as a measuring point from which society can see where we once were, how far we have come, and where we are headed with respect to this terrible attribute.
Fortunately, London’s stories are in the public domain and are widely accessible on-line as individual stories. Alternatively, digital collections of his stories are also available from the mega on-line retailer for very nominal amounts. London is worth reading, and in my mind he sits on a generational path of realists that spans backwards and forwards through time, through him.
4 stars for the full body of work, not because of content but because these stories could not be written today, or at any other time in the future. London was so subtle in capturing his reality that he put into words things that could only be captured at the time he lived. Anyone else with the idea to write these stories today would certainly come up short.
---
Individual Story Ratings: 19 SEP 11 Through 02 SEP 23
Individual Story Reviews: 19 SEP 11 Through 02 SEP 23
London constantly sought adventure. At first, his journeys were purposed towards his own survival. Then after his success, his journeys represented his effort to push his human existence towards its limits. In both cases, he seemed to sense that creating reality in words required a level of physical and emotional experiences that far exceeded those of everyday life.
Thus, his stories mostly follow follow the path of his life. His first story, "Typhoon Off the Coast of Japan," echoes his time as a lowly seaman working on a sealer in the northern Pacific. From there, the stories continue on through his Northland tales, South Sea tales, urban life stories, and Hawaiian-focused tales. That’s not to say, however, that London did not occasionally jump back to previous themes at the request of specific buyers.
The sale of his material seems to have been the primary focus of his writing. He possessed a natural talent for writing, but his early pursuits were spent honing that talent into a marketable product, almost to his own demise. He initially loved writing because he dreamed that it would elevate him out of the abys of poverty. Upon his success, he loved writing because it made that dream come true.
The entrepreneurial approach to his craft ultimately made him very wealthy. And occasionally, his talent produced a timeless gem. If I were given the chance to assemble a collection of the best of Jack London stories, they would include these 19 out of the 192 stories that he wrote.
184.) "The Red One"
175.) "By The Turtles of Tasman!"
169.) "A Little Account with Swithin Hall"
149.) "The Night-Born"
147.) “A Piece of Steak”
143.) "The Strength of the Strong"
134.) "Aloha Oe"
132.) “Koolau the Leper”
129.) "Chinago"
122.) "To Build a Fire" (v2)
113.) "Finis"
109.) "The Apostate"
104.) "The Unexpected"
98.) "Love of Life"
87.) "The League of the Old Men"
52.) "The Law of Life"
48.) "The God of His Fathers"
35.) "The Wisdom of the Trail"
19.) "The White Silence"
Of the above-listed stories, my supreme favorite is "The Law of Life." In that story, London captures a harsh reality and places it on the page. There is no sense of moderation for the sake of public acceptability and it may be telling that it was written in the midst of a group of Northland tales that were above average in their content. As such, the story may represent the peak of London’s writing career as an artist. The other outstanding stories that followed “The Law of Life” seem to be more isolated within the bulk of his work.
The most noteworthy of the best-of stories would be "The Red One." Not only does it focus on the realism of the South Sea, it is also ventures into a light-weight version of science fiction. Add to this its gallows humor and it becomes a sort of monument that demonstrates London’s talent.
Then there is the racism that explicitly finds its way into many of London’s stories. This revolting aspect of his writing indeed threatens its long-term virility. As society continually atones for its mistakes, this aspect of London’s writing will become evermore repulsive than it is now. But therein lies the reason for its presence.
London’s goal in writing was to capture life as it was during his time. London was indeed a racist, but his views were a reflection of society as it existed in his day. Society bought his stories and London became exceeding wealthy because of it, racism included. Therefore, this aspect of his writing should be used as a measuring point from which society can see where we once were, how far we have come, and where we are headed with respect to this terrible attribute.
Fortunately, London’s stories are in the public domain and are widely accessible on-line as individual stories. Alternatively, digital collections of his stories are also available from the mega on-line retailer for very nominal amounts. London is worth reading, and in my mind he sits on a generational path of realists that spans backwards and forwards through time, through him.
4 stars for the full body of work, not because of content but because these stories could not be written today, or at any other time in the future. London was so subtle in capturing his reality that he put into words things that could only be captured at the time he lived. Anyone else with the idea to write these stories today would certainly come up short.
---
Individual Story Ratings: 19 SEP 11 Through 02 SEP 23
Individual Story Reviews: 19 SEP 11 Through 02 SEP 23
May 3, 2020
great stories
January 29, 2021
One of those free reads from Amazon of unknown works of known writers. His 145th birthday was January 12th.
Did you know London wrote comedy? And comedic plays at that. Short, but still. You'll never want to drive a team of four horses, much less whip them, after reading his experiences.
London is far-thinking. In the the first essay (written around 1910), The Human Drift, he covers topics that are current today. It's a general reflection on how population grows with less war and more food available...until those nasty germs come in. "And this we know: that no matter how often these invisible hosts may be overcome by man's becoming immune to them through a cruel and terrible selection, new hosts will ever arise of these micro-organisms that were in the world before man came and that will be here after he is gone," he writes. And then there's a couple paragraphs on climate change!
He was not afraid to show off his birthday suit...
Did you know London wrote comedy? And comedic plays at that. Short, but still. You'll never want to drive a team of four horses, much less whip them, after reading his experiences.
London is far-thinking. In the the first essay (written around 1910), The Human Drift, he covers topics that are current today. It's a general reflection on how population grows with less war and more food available...until those nasty germs come in. "And this we know: that no matter how often these invisible hosts may be overcome by man's becoming immune to them through a cruel and terrible selection, new hosts will ever arise of these micro-organisms that were in the world before man came and that will be here after he is gone," he writes. And then there's a couple paragraphs on climate change!
He was not afraid to show off his birthday suit...
Read
September 13, 2017Read "The Law of Life" for school.
July 12, 2008
i own this three volume set and there are some far-out stories in there. my favorites are the ones that are out-of-character for london... "the hobo and the fairy" "the strange experience of a misogynist" in fact, here: http://www.jacklondons.net/writings/S...
that link will go to a page with all of the stories posted in alphabetical order.
love london.
that link will go to a page with all of the stories posted in alphabetical order.
love london.
February 16, 2022
Entertaining listening 🔰😀
Eight classic short stories by Jack London about the adventures of life in seafaring, 🐎 horses, relationships, and adventure. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or 🎶 listening to novels 🔰🏡 2022
Eight classic short stories by Jack London about the adventures of life in seafaring, 🐎 horses, relationships, and adventure. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or 🎶 listening to novels 🔰🏡 2022
January 10, 2013
Great winter reading.
December 2, 2024
My edition of Jack London short stories did not include publication dates, but I have an idea that the order is roughly chronological, as the stories certainly go from least to most polished, and from least to most meaningful. Stories like “In Yeddo Bay” and “Dutch Courage” seem very much ‘made-for-magazines’--they are short and almost painfully surface-level, very much like the stories that Martin Eden first tries to write for the magazines.
By contrast, stories like “The Law of Life” and “Keesh, the Son of Keesh” are much more in keeping with the Londonian preoccupation with the savage North and the nature of the men and animals that dwell therein, and bear the marks of a more mature and thoughtful mind.
While London’s characterization of the Indigenous populations of Alaska and Canada cannot escape (sometimes painful) stereotyping, he does at least manage to create a wide variety of characters and stories, ranging widely in tone and drawing on many different eras and aspects of life in the Yukon, Alaska, and at sea. “The Marriage of Lit-lit” is about as different from “Keesh, the Son of Keesh” as it is possible to be, and illustrate what a dynamic writer London could be, even if his setting and character-types remained largely the same.
4 stars.
By contrast, stories like “The Law of Life” and “Keesh, the Son of Keesh” are much more in keeping with the Londonian preoccupation with the savage North and the nature of the men and animals that dwell therein, and bear the marks of a more mature and thoughtful mind.
While London’s characterization of the Indigenous populations of Alaska and Canada cannot escape (sometimes painful) stereotyping, he does at least manage to create a wide variety of characters and stories, ranging widely in tone and drawing on many different eras and aspects of life in the Yukon, Alaska, and at sea. “The Marriage of Lit-lit” is about as different from “Keesh, the Son of Keesh” as it is possible to be, and illustrate what a dynamic writer London could be, even if his setting and character-types remained largely the same.
4 stars.
January 23, 2023
This was the only media my library had for this short story collection (another prompt in their Winter Reading Challenge) and my first time utilizing PlayAway Audio - I'm really impressed by this neat device! It was as easy as plugging in the headphones and hitting play - will definitely be utilizing these pocket sized players more in the future.
As for the collection of stories - I always forget how much I enjoy London's writing. His general themes of man vs wild reminds me of the fragile relationship we have with the world. That humans rely solely on our intelligence to survive, and how helpless we are in extreme environments. Of the three stories in this collection, I enjoyed "To Build a Fire" the most as the story resonated with me and my respect for northern dogs. This story focused on arrogance of man, and how ill equipped we are to survive in extreme temperatures. I recently went on a tour led by sled dogs and the musher told me that Alaskan dogs run best in temperatures from -20F to -40F, and can handle the temperatures down to -80F with relative ease compared to their human companions that risk a variety of ailments from frostbite to hypothermia in just a few moments in those temperatures. Needless to say, I was rooting for the dog in this story.
As for the collection of stories - I always forget how much I enjoy London's writing. His general themes of man vs wild reminds me of the fragile relationship we have with the world. That humans rely solely on our intelligence to survive, and how helpless we are in extreme environments. Of the three stories in this collection, I enjoyed "To Build a Fire" the most as the story resonated with me and my respect for northern dogs. This story focused on arrogance of man, and how ill equipped we are to survive in extreme temperatures. I recently went on a tour led by sled dogs and the musher told me that Alaskan dogs run best in temperatures from -20F to -40F, and can handle the temperatures down to -80F with relative ease compared to their human companions that risk a variety of ailments from frostbite to hypothermia in just a few moments in those temperatures. Needless to say, I was rooting for the dog in this story.
April 5, 2019
I bought this book because I thought it was an anthology of short stories. But it turned out to be a mixed bag of essays, memoirs and one-act plays. One piece was actually an introduction to another author's book. Some of the stories were fun to read, but this was clearly not a collection of London's best work.
January 21, 2021
Who wouldn’t love everything by Jack London? His stories of great imagery that immediately create a movie in your mind as you read. Stories to grab onto when you’re looking for an adventurous escape!
October 30, 2018
This is a collection of short stories and one act plays from Jack London, and they range from merely okay to awful.
January 27, 2019
The author's words
Not my favorite Jack London book, but it was interesting to hear him speaking his own thoughts from the page rather than telling a story.
Not my favorite Jack London book, but it was interesting to hear him speaking his own thoughts from the page rather than telling a story.
October 27, 2020
Stories were good but not outstanding. Narrator was overly dramatic.
February 14, 2025
Only four stories, no real introduction or background information about the author. Entertaining stories, just not as substantial a collection as I was expecting.
December 31, 2025
Interesting
January 16, 2016
This collection includes several essays on subjects of interest to London, from a discussion of population migrations from man's earliest existence, to articles centered on his love of sailing, to a travelogue of a leisurely trip London made with his wife and assistant through parts of California.
They made this trip about 1908, and after discussing the relative advantages and drawbacks of motorized or horse drawn transportation available to them, decided on a four-horse cart. This choice gave rise to the funniest stories I have ever read from Jack London, who prided himself on being, and wrote his characters as, hyper-masculine, physically strong, self-reliant males, who did for themselves or did without, and triumphed over the elements or any other challenges they encountered in their energetic lives, but did not generally employ comedy in his stories. The adventures of the self-sufficient sailor in teaching himself how to drive a four-horse team, and in forming some semblance of a team of five disparate saddle horses of widely divergent personalities and no training or interest in working as a team, pulling carts or otherwise, are hilarious, and the story benefits from London's great writing.
The collection concludes with two short plays which also show some of that humor. It is a different Jack London than the one with whom I am familiar. In fact, the collection includes an interesting variety of writing forms and styles from a well-known author who shows us perhaps something new.
They made this trip about 1908, and after discussing the relative advantages and drawbacks of motorized or horse drawn transportation available to them, decided on a four-horse cart. This choice gave rise to the funniest stories I have ever read from Jack London, who prided himself on being, and wrote his characters as, hyper-masculine, physically strong, self-reliant males, who did for themselves or did without, and triumphed over the elements or any other challenges they encountered in their energetic lives, but did not generally employ comedy in his stories. The adventures of the self-sufficient sailor in teaching himself how to drive a four-horse team, and in forming some semblance of a team of five disparate saddle horses of widely divergent personalities and no training or interest in working as a team, pulling carts or otherwise, are hilarious, and the story benefits from London's great writing.
The collection concludes with two short plays which also show some of that humor. It is a different Jack London than the one with whom I am familiar. In fact, the collection includes an interesting variety of writing forms and styles from a well-known author who shows us perhaps something new.
June 28, 2013
London had many and diverse adventures and his stories reflect a life well lived. He experienced the cosmopolitan life in San Francisco, the South Seas and the arctic. He knew poverty and a very comfortable affluence. He was occasionally drunk, countered with long stretched of clean living. He apparently did not feel stability was an attribute.
The arctic stores are the most striking to me as they best illustrate London’s perspective on our environment. He counters our accepted cultural imagination. We generally see nature as having a personality -- “mother nature.” The weather might be benign, threatening, etc. Mother Nature provides a bounty because it loves us, and was created for our use – after all that is why man created gods – we can worship and placate, please the entity in question and we are given nature’s bounty in return. London, however, seems to see nature as being indifferent. Humans are insignificant. It does not care if we live our die. It is not cruel, because it doesn’t care.
This is a great collection and London is among the best in American letters.
The arctic stores are the most striking to me as they best illustrate London’s perspective on our environment. He counters our accepted cultural imagination. We generally see nature as having a personality -- “mother nature.” The weather might be benign, threatening, etc. Mother Nature provides a bounty because it loves us, and was created for our use – after all that is why man created gods – we can worship and placate, please the entity in question and we are given nature’s bounty in return. London, however, seems to see nature as being indifferent. Humans are insignificant. It does not care if we live our die. It is not cruel, because it doesn’t care.
This is a great collection and London is among the best in American letters.
November 7, 2011
Jack London was a superb writer who led a fascinating life. This slightly unusual collection is a superb showcase of both of these facts.
The first item in the collection is called "The Human Drift". Rather than being a story, it is more of a well-informed commentary on the nature of human population and expansion across the globe. It still feels very relevant and insightful now, despite being a century old.
Several of the subsequent items in this book are accounts of London's life experiences. His writing is vivid and engaging, and evokes a great sense of the challenges and excitement he faced.
Finally, the last two items are short dramatic scripts. They are surprisingly readable, and have a unique wit and charm to them.
I very much recommend this book to any reader who enjoys well-written literature. London was a genuine master of language whose work is worthy of anybody's attention.
The first item in the collection is called "The Human Drift". Rather than being a story, it is more of a well-informed commentary on the nature of human population and expansion across the globe. It still feels very relevant and insightful now, despite being a century old.
Several of the subsequent items in this book are accounts of London's life experiences. His writing is vivid and engaging, and evokes a great sense of the challenges and excitement he faced.
Finally, the last two items are short dramatic scripts. They are surprisingly readable, and have a unique wit and charm to them.
I very much recommend this book to any reader who enjoys well-written literature. London was a genuine master of language whose work is worthy of anybody's attention.
July 27, 2021
All I got from it is that it’s about sailing? I didn’t read these properly - got bored.
I don’t vibe with this writing style.
I don’t vibe with this writing style.
September 16, 2013
A mixed bag of his writings. He was not a playwright. The pieces about sailing were the best, emphasizing clearly his passion. A rambling piece about driving four horses all over California could have been a window into the past for all the places he drove through but came across as a list of locations.
February 15, 2008
the obvious reason to shelve this under native-american is ironic in light of london's proven racism: much the best of these stories are the ones about the craft, culture, values, and superiority of the arctic natives
February 21, 2015
It was the supremely erudite Borges who led me back to this collection by London, an author I'd forgotten after my teenage years. Though a couple weak stories pull down the bunch, these are great tales of adventure by a man who lived the part.
May 24, 2016
I loved this book. This book had some short drama sketches and an essay about population. It also had true stories from Jack London's life. He had a very exciting one. Anyone who likes classics should read this.
April 29, 2008
I had read many of the stories, but the book contained some I had not read. London's descriptions of moral and physical struggles are unsurpassed.
November 23, 2011
Jack London, a favorite of mine, never fails to capture the imagination and make one feel as if they were there, living the story.
April 28, 2012
Some of the stories were great, and some not so....
June 9, 2014
Like most short story books, some were better than others.
November 7, 2014
For work. Some stories were really good and some others were meh. The latter ones made me feel bad for my students.
April 28, 2016
Good read
If you want some short stories then this should keep you out of mischief for a few hours I think
If you want some short stories then this should keep you out of mischief for a few hours I think
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews