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Моряк в седле: Художественная биография Джека Лондона
Художественная биография замечательного американского писателя Джека Лондона принадлежит перу Ирвинга Стоуна, автора романов-биографий Ван Гога, Микельанджело. В книге раскрывается сложный и драматический путь писателя, история его литературных поисков, его главных произведений.
334 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
18 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Irving Stone
151 books1,508 followersIn 1923, Stone received his bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. In the 1960s, Stone received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Southern California, where he had previously earned a Masters Degree from the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.
When at home, Stone relied upon the research facilities and expertise made available to him by Esther Euler, head research librarian of the University of California at Los Angeles, to whom he dedicated and thanked, in addition to many others, in several of his works.
Stone enjoyed a long marriage to his wife and editor on many of his works, Jean Stone. The Stones lived primarily in Los Angeles, California. During their lifetime, Stone and his wife funded a foundation to support charitable causes they believed in.
Stone's main source for Lust for Life, as noted in the afterword, were Van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo. It seems probable that Vincent's letters to and from his own brother Theo provided a foundation for Adversary in the House. Stone additionally did much of his research "in the field". For example, he spent many years living in Italy while working on The Agony and the Ecstasy. The Italian government lauded Stone with several honorary awards during this period for his cultural achievements highlighting Italian history.
From Wikipedia
When at home, Stone relied upon the research facilities and expertise made available to him by Esther Euler, head research librarian of the University of California at Los Angeles, to whom he dedicated and thanked, in addition to many others, in several of his works.
Stone enjoyed a long marriage to his wife and editor on many of his works, Jean Stone. The Stones lived primarily in Los Angeles, California. During their lifetime, Stone and his wife funded a foundation to support charitable causes they believed in.
Stone's main source for Lust for Life, as noted in the afterword, were Van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo. It seems probable that Vincent's letters to and from his own brother Theo provided a foundation for Adversary in the House. Stone additionally did much of his research "in the field". For example, he spent many years living in Italy while working on The Agony and the Ecstasy. The Italian government lauded Stone with several honorary awards during this period for his cultural achievements highlighting Italian history.
From Wikipedia
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March 25, 2021
جک لندن,ملوان بر پشت اسب..
گاه بر زندگی جک لندن لبخند میزنیم و گاه اشک میریزیم..لبخندی بر تمام گرمی,جسارت ها و تلاش ها,موفقیت ها و و عشقش در زندگی..اشکی بر سختی ها و رنج ها ,گرسنگی ها و لغزش ها و شکست ها..داستان جک لندن گاه همانند رویایی پر ماجرا و گاه همچو کابوسی تمام نشدنی..پرکشش و حقیقی, ما را با خود همراه می سازد..جک لندن بسیار بود..کودکی روزنامه فروش..ملوان کشتی,شکارچی شبانه صدف,مبارز قاچاقچیان,فردی در اولین gold rushمعروف آلاسکا..ولگردی که کابوس ترمز بانان قطار بود..گدایی که برای یک وعده غذا افسانه ها میبافت..انسانی مهربان و پاک نهاد که خانه ش مامن دیگران بود,شنونده ای قدرتمند..و در عین حال ماجراجویی سرکش..گاه انسان برتر نیچه..همواره سوسیالیستی معتقد و مبارز و پیکار طلب...زاغه نشینی در گورهای دسته جمعی که فقرای انگلستان خانه می نامیدندش..خبرنگار جنگ روسیه و ژاپن,که در کرجی ش دریای زرد را درنوردید..دریانوردی که قصد سفر به دور دنیا کرد...نویسنده ای سنت شکن در سراغاز قرن بیستم..با قلمی سرشار از انرژی و حقیقت زندگی,عاشقی پر حرارت که در عشق همه چیز را فدا کرد..جک لندن تمام اینها بود و بیشتر..
جک لندن دوستی واقعی بود,که همواره قلب و روح وزمان و فکر و ثروتش را به کمال به دیگران می بخشید در پایان دیگران اما تنها به خود می اندیشند..با پستی زشت خودبینی و خودخواهی....جک لندن,یک انسان بود..انسانی که همواره میان دیگران زندگی کرد..افسوس که دیگران انسان نیستند و او را شکستند..جک لندن..فردی بود که آنان هرگز سزاوارش نبودند..
گاه بر زندگی جک لندن لبخند میزنیم و گاه اشک میریزیم..لبخندی بر تمام گرمی,جسارت ها و تلاش ها,موفقیت ها و و عشقش در زندگی..اشکی بر سختی ها و رنج ها ,گرسنگی ها و لغزش ها و شکست ها..داستان جک لندن گاه همانند رویایی پر ماجرا و گاه همچو کابوسی تمام نشدنی..پرکشش و حقیقی, ما را با خود همراه می سازد..جک لندن بسیار بود..کودکی روزنامه فروش..ملوان کشتی,شکارچی شبانه صدف,مبارز قاچاقچیان,فردی در اولین gold rushمعروف آلاسکا..ولگردی که کابوس ترمز بانان قطار بود..گدایی که برای یک وعده غذا افسانه ها میبافت..انسانی مهربان و پاک نهاد که خانه ش مامن دیگران بود,شنونده ای قدرتمند..و در عین حال ماجراجویی سرکش..گاه انسان برتر نیچه..همواره سوسیالیستی معتقد و مبارز و پیکار طلب...زاغه نشینی در گورهای دسته جمعی که فقرای انگلستان خانه می نامیدندش..خبرنگار جنگ روسیه و ژاپن,که در کرجی ش دریای زرد را درنوردید..دریانوردی که قصد سفر به دور دنیا کرد...نویسنده ای سنت شکن در سراغاز قرن بیستم..با قلمی سرشار از انرژی و حقیقت زندگی,عاشقی پر حرارت که در عشق همه چیز را فدا کرد..جک لندن تمام اینها بود و بیشتر..
جک لندن دوستی واقعی بود,که همواره قلب و روح وزمان و فکر و ثروتش را به کمال به دیگران می بخشید در پایان دیگران اما تنها به خود می اندیشند..با پستی زشت خودبینی و خودخواهی....جک لندن,یک انسان بود..انسانی که همواره میان دیگران زندگی کرد..افسوس که دیگران انسان نیستند و او را شکستند..جک لندن..فردی بود که آنان هرگز سزاوارش نبودند..
January 20, 2022
Jack London élete már maga egy kész regény! Különleges ember volt, színes egyéniség, nehéz gyermekkora és ifjúsága extrém teljesítményekre sarkallta, az amerikai irodalom neves alakja lett.
Irving Stone 1938-ban adta ki ezt az életrajzot, még nagyon sokakkal tudott beszélni azok közül, akik személyesen ismerték Londont. Alaposan összegyűjtött rengeteg anyagot, levelezéseket, iratokat-így született meg ez a regényes életírás. Gördülékeny, élvezetes olvasmány, ugyanakkor nagyon pontosan követi Jack London életének, írói munkásságának állomásait.
Én elég ritkán olvasok életrajzokat, ám ezt nagyon szerettem olvasni.
Irving Stone 1938-ban adta ki ezt az életrajzot, még nagyon sokakkal tudott beszélni azok közül, akik személyesen ismerték Londont. Alaposan összegyűjtött rengeteg anyagot, levelezéseket, iratokat-így született meg ez a regényes életírás. Gördülékeny, élvezetes olvasmány, ugyanakkor nagyon pontosan követi Jack London életének, írói munkásságának állomásait.
Én elég ritkán olvasok életrajzokat, ám ezt nagyon szerettem olvasni.
January 2, 2019
A great read. I found the old Signet paperback edition for 20¢ at a yard sale. Stone obviously thought highly of Jack London and the biography may be a bit biased. It was really interesting, I was entertained, and I learned a lot. I'm now interested in reading London's semiautobiographical novel Martin Eden. London was a free thinker and generous man, I can't help but wonder what more he could have achieved had he had better people around him.
January 4, 2014
L'appassionante biografia di un uomo che, oltre a scrivere di viaggi ed avventure, ha reso un'incredibile avventura la sua stessa vita.
May 27, 2023
Knížky Jacka Londona jsem četl jednu za druhou už jako kluk a přestože už je to fakt dávno, mám ho rád pořád. A jeho životopis se čte úplně stejně se zatajeným dechem jako jeho povídky a romány, vždyť ten chlap toho prožil na tři životy, ještě než mu bylo dvacet. A pokračoval stejným tempem až do své hodně předčasné smrti. Z dětského dělníka ve fabrice, ústřicového piráta s vlastní lodí i milenkou (v 15 letech), tuláka po Americe v železničních vagónech a prospektora na Aljašce se neuvěřitelným úsilím a silou vůle stal nejslavnější světový spisovatel, novinář, válečný dopisovatel, respektovaný intelektuál a socialista, jehož knížky obdivujeme dodneška. Takový Martin Eden nebo Tulák po hvězdách patří k tomu nejlepšímu co můžete vzít do ruky a to nejsou zdaleka jediné.
V tomhle životopise najdete o Jackovi všechno podstatné, takže pokud vás jeho život zajímá, jen do toho. A doporučím ho ještě doplnit o skvělou knížku Láska k životu aneb kniha o podivuhodném životě, díle, láskách, bojích a smrti Jacka Londona, spisovatele, zlatokopa, námořníka, tuláka a snílka. Tam kromě životopisu najdete i několik výborných povídek, navíc je to knížka bohatě ilustrovaná a vůbec moc hezká.
V tomhle životopise najdete o Jackovi všechno podstatné, takže pokud vás jeho život zajímá, jen do toho. A doporučím ho ještě doplnit o skvělou knížku Láska k životu aneb kniha o podivuhodném životě, díle, láskách, bojích a smrti Jacka Londona, spisovatele, zlatokopa, námořníka, tuláka a snílka. Tam kromě životopisu najdete i několik výborných povídek, navíc je to knížka bohatě ilustrovaná a vůbec moc hezká.
September 5, 2023
Am simtit cartea aceasta usor diferita de tot ce am mai citit pana acum de la Stone (dialogul lipseste, are extrem de multe elemente non-fictionale, avand un caracter mai putin romantat), incat am fost ferm convinsa ca a fost prima carte scrisa de acesta, dar se pare ca nu, a fost scrisa la 4 ani distanta de "Bucuria vietii", prima carte a scriitorului, aparuta in 1934.
Cum se poate deduce si din titlu, spune povestea scriitorului american, de origine irlandeza, Jack London, inca de la nastere, pana la moartea acestuia. Si acest aspect este diferit de stilul caracteristic al lui Stone, care s-a axat pe anumite perioade de viata ale personajelor sale.
Jack London a fost o personalitate remarcanta a timpurilor sale. In copilarie a fost timid si rusinos pentru ca simtea inferioritatea si echivocul nasterii lui nelegitime, dar si increzator in sine si sigur pe el fiindca mostenise mintea viguroasa a profesorului Chaney, tatal sau.
Pe lângă dragostea lui pentru cărti, mai avea alta pentru mare, cea mai mare dragoste a vieții lui. O perioada a fost marinar, vana foci si isi inchipuia ca omul trebuie sa fie ori sclav, ori vagabond; nu vedea nicio cale de mijloc.
Nu a fost vreodata un adept al disciplinei ori al sacrificiului, nici prea scrupulos cand era vorba de implinirea obligatiilor morale.
Pentru Jack London, viata de hoinar avea farmec tocmai prin lipsa monotoniei.
Aventura il cheama spre Alaska in goana dupa aur in 1897, unde avea sa scrie cele mai cunoscute doua lucrari ale sale (cel putin publicului roman - Chemarea strabunilor si Colt Alb), si de pe urma careia avea sa se imbogateasca, chiar daca nu a gasit nici macar o uncie de aur.
Toata viata, Jack London s-a crezut atat socialist, cat si supraom, chiar daca notiunile se exclud una pe alta. Va scrie romane mari despre ocean si salbaticie, dar si romane mari despre proletariat, Anatole France numindu-l "Karl Marx al Americii".
Cu toate ca a scris foarte mult si a avut norocul sa ii fie editate toate lucrarile, Jack London scria doar pentru bani, nu de placere, fiind extrem de necumpatat si cheltuitor, mereu indatorat si cu nevoie de bani.
Ca sa va faceti o idee de cat de cunoscut a fost ep timpurilor sale, va spun ca ziarele din Europa au consacrat mortii lui mai multe pagini decat mortii imparatului Franz Josef al Austriei, mort cu o zi inainte.
Cum se poate deduce si din titlu, spune povestea scriitorului american, de origine irlandeza, Jack London, inca de la nastere, pana la moartea acestuia. Si acest aspect este diferit de stilul caracteristic al lui Stone, care s-a axat pe anumite perioade de viata ale personajelor sale.
Jack London a fost o personalitate remarcanta a timpurilor sale. In copilarie a fost timid si rusinos pentru ca simtea inferioritatea si echivocul nasterii lui nelegitime, dar si increzator in sine si sigur pe el fiindca mostenise mintea viguroasa a profesorului Chaney, tatal sau.
Pe lângă dragostea lui pentru cărti, mai avea alta pentru mare, cea mai mare dragoste a vieții lui. O perioada a fost marinar, vana foci si isi inchipuia ca omul trebuie sa fie ori sclav, ori vagabond; nu vedea nicio cale de mijloc.
Nu a fost vreodata un adept al disciplinei ori al sacrificiului, nici prea scrupulos cand era vorba de implinirea obligatiilor morale.
Pentru Jack London, viata de hoinar avea farmec tocmai prin lipsa monotoniei.
Aventura il cheama spre Alaska in goana dupa aur in 1897, unde avea sa scrie cele mai cunoscute doua lucrari ale sale (cel putin publicului roman - Chemarea strabunilor si Colt Alb), si de pe urma careia avea sa se imbogateasca, chiar daca nu a gasit nici macar o uncie de aur.
Toata viata, Jack London s-a crezut atat socialist, cat si supraom, chiar daca notiunile se exclud una pe alta. Va scrie romane mari despre ocean si salbaticie, dar si romane mari despre proletariat, Anatole France numindu-l "Karl Marx al Americii".
Cu toate ca a scris foarte mult si a avut norocul sa ii fie editate toate lucrarile, Jack London scria doar pentru bani, nu de placere, fiind extrem de necumpatat si cheltuitor, mereu indatorat si cu nevoie de bani.
Ca sa va faceti o idee de cat de cunoscut a fost ep timpurilor sale, va spun ca ziarele din Europa au consacrat mortii lui mai multe pagini decat mortii imparatului Franz Josef al Austriei, mort cu o zi inainte.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
მეზღვაური უნაგირზე - ეს სიტყვები იდეალურად აღწერს ჯეკ ლონდონს (ამაოდ ხომ არ შეურჩია ეს სათაური ავტობიოგრაფიას, რომლის დაწერაც ვეღარ მოასწრო). ეს მწერალი შეიძლება მოგვწონდეს ან არ მოგვწონდეს, მაგრამ იმ ფაქტს ვერსად გავექცევით, რომ ძალიან საინტერესო ცხოვრება განვლო - მძიმე, თუმცა თავგადასავლებით სავსე 40 წელი, რომელთა შესახებ კითხვაც დიდი სიამოვნებაა (ვან გოგის ბიოგრაფიის შემდეგ ირვინგ სტოუნისგან საინტერესო თხრობა არ გვიკვირს)...
May 3, 2015
Definitely fun to read, though I had an impression I should have read it while being teenager, probably when I read London's books.
January 23, 2026
I first read this book back in the 90s. I've been very impressed by the biographies written by Irving Stone (1903-1989), having read his great " The Agony and The Ecstasy," about Michelangelo ( before going on a trip to Europe, one of the highlights of which was to see the Sistine Chapel!). I've read several others of Stone's books but this is the first one I have reread. Jack London was truly a larger-than-life character, a man who had incredible adventures beginning as a teen-ager until the end.
The fact that he died at the age of 40 is sad, even tragic. Sorry if that's a spoiler. I won't go into any details about it. Upon some reflection, I have to say Jack London packed an extremely full life into those forty years from 1876 to 1916. He certainly left us with some wonderful stories--"The Call of the Wild," "The Sea Wolf," "The Iron Heel," "White Fang," "Before Adam" ( a particular favorite of mine), among many others, including many great short stories. This bio inspires me to read his "Martin Eden," which is semi-autobiographical ( and which I have not yet read).
A note on Stone's bios. They are well-researched but are in a narrative form that reads like fiction --and have been called "fictionalized biographies." I don't know if they are to everyone's taste.
Another point to be made is about this book. It's very adulatory of Jack London. It would be interesting for me to read another biography of London, to compare to Stone's book.
5 stars; a book I am very happy that I reread!
The fact that he died at the age of 40 is sad, even tragic. Sorry if that's a spoiler. I won't go into any details about it. Upon some reflection, I have to say Jack London packed an extremely full life into those forty years from 1876 to 1916. He certainly left us with some wonderful stories--"The Call of the Wild," "The Sea Wolf," "The Iron Heel," "White Fang," "Before Adam" ( a particular favorite of mine), among many others, including many great short stories. This bio inspires me to read his "Martin Eden," which is semi-autobiographical ( and which I have not yet read).
A note on Stone's bios. They are well-researched but are in a narrative form that reads like fiction --and have been called "fictionalized biographies." I don't know if they are to everyone's taste.
Another point to be made is about this book. It's very adulatory of Jack London. It would be interesting for me to read another biography of London, to compare to Stone's book.
5 stars; a book I am very happy that I reread!
April 12, 2017
"Дай ми факта, човече, неоспоримия факт!"
Книгата за живота на Джек Лондон е един прекрасен биографичен роман. Освен, че ни запознава с цялото му творчество, той ни разкрива и същността на човека, който стои зад него.
Ървинг Стоун представя Джек като постоянно търсещ, свободолюбив, любопитен, неуморим и мечтаещ човек.
"Винаги съм търсил опиянението от живота, което за мен стои над изкуството или което и да е друго странично нещо!"
Огромното писмено наследство, което ни е оставил е плод на дълги години усилена творческа работа. От много бедно момче, отдало се на скитничество, той успява да достигне върховете, за които мечтае и да постави началото на революцията в литературата.
"Той си е водил бележник през годината, прекарана в скитничество, и знае с увереност, че неговия живот би имал смисъл и че би бил щастлив само, ако може да опише всичко това, с което е изпълнен умът му."
Джек Лондон пише за истинските неща в жинота - брутално и откровено - нещо, което до тогава не е било прието в обществото. Но, може би, точно заради това, той успява да си спечели огромен брой почитатели и името става известно в цяла Америка.
Писателят ни разказва как са минавали дните на Джек и когато не е писал.
Това е една истинска история, представяща истинския живот, каквото е било и творчеството на познатия по цял свят, Джек Лондон.
Книгата за живота на Джек Лондон е един прекрасен биографичен роман. Освен, че ни запознава с цялото му творчество, той ни разкрива и същността на човека, който стои зад него.
Ървинг Стоун представя Джек като постоянно търсещ, свободолюбив, любопитен, неуморим и мечтаещ човек.
"Винаги съм търсил опиянението от живота, което за мен стои над изкуството или което и да е друго странично нещо!"
Огромното писмено наследство, което ни е оставил е плод на дълги години усилена творческа работа. От много бедно момче, отдало се на скитничество, той успява да достигне върховете, за които мечтае и да постави началото на революцията в литературата.
"Той си е водил бележник през годината, прекарана в скитничество, и знае с увереност, че неговия живот би имал смисъл и че би бил щастлив само, ако може да опише всичко това, с което е изпълнен умът му."
Джек Лондон пише за истинските неща в жинота - брутално и откровено - нещо, което до тогава не е било прието в обществото. Но, може би, точно заради това, той успява да си спечели огромен брой почитатели и името става известно в цяла Америка.
Писателят ни разказва как са минавали дните на Джек и когато не е писал.
Това е една истинска история, представяща истинския живот, каквото е било и творчеството на познатия по цял свят, Джек Лондон.
November 14, 2016
من نسخه چاپ سازمان نشر کتاب را که 352 صفحه است، خوانده ام
بر روی جلد کتاب، تصویری از جوانی جک لندن نقش بسته است
ایروینگ استون نویسنده بزرگی بود
بر روی جلد کتاب، تصویری از جوانی جک لندن نقش بسته است
ایروینگ استون نویسنده بزرگی بود
December 15, 2019
Very sobering, very touching.
January 22, 2025
,,Ce mic e omul, și ce mare e!"
July 5, 2023
I reread the book again and I still love it! The book is timeless!
April 11, 2016
From the author of Lust for Life (Van Gogh) and Love is Eternal (Abe-Mary Lincoln) comes a fanciful 1938 "novel" of the first American "celeb" author, the hunky, handsome Jack London. He long preceded Hemingway (1876-1916) as the uber-virile writer, who was dead at age 40. I can't verify the mythology here, but Stone knows how to create dramatic scenes and comes up w liners that you remember. Marriage : "It's necessary for the perpetuation of the species; romantic love is an artifice." Sez Stone, "Outside of his marriage, there was no emotion tied up w the sexual act." London's life is 4 or 5 action movies and you gasp as he sails the seas, age 17, goes to the Klondike, age 20, and becomes a writer -- using his experiences - while also reporting 2 forn wars and brutal boxing matches. Onward now to 2 verified London bios..."Tell me what the face of truth looks like," London once said. Away we go.
November 25, 2017
Amazing story, besides Stone's typical Freudian bent, of a man who couldn't enjoy life for the extreme living of it and who truly lived his Socialist ideals to be betrayed by those that benefited from his generosity
April 25, 2018
Pretty good, but Stone over-praises quite a bit with just a bit on his faults and shortcomings. It has made me want to find out more though. Jack London led a very interesting life...sometimes like an adventure story.
April 10, 2015
jack london'ın macera filmi gibi hayatı... biyografiden çok roman gibi okunuyor. son yıllara kadar gayet severek okudum, son kısımda biraz aceleye gelmiş gibi.
February 21, 2017
An interesting life, tragically died young.
March 18, 2018
Can't get past first chapter because the writing is so horribly biased. No balance. Certainly no perspective. Moving on.
March 30, 2018
Though horribly biased writing still a good read that I couldn’t put down.
August 2, 2025
Irving Stone may employ a pleasing turn of phrase, he takes liberties with the truth and with my widow.
February 29, 2016
Damn... some people have more interesting lives than some fiction stories....
March 27, 2024
Our school book club recommended a recent biography on Jack London. I ordered the book and am interested in reading it, but more than that it reminded me of—what was to me—a more compelling Jack London biography, one written by the talented author Irving Stone. Lest you think I’ve done a disservice to the more contemporary author, I did look at some of his other works and excitedly ordered one of them. Stay up-to-date on my reviews to see my reaction!
Generally, biographies about people that write stuff … do not inspire excitement (“...And then he/she sat down and wrote some more!”). The right novelist, though? Not only could it be interesting, it could be thrilling. Jack London may be among the most compelling author biography subjects you could find.
Combine that with an excellent researcher/writer in Irving Stone (of The Agony and the Ecstacy fame—if that is fame for you at all, that is), and you have yourself a recipe for an always engaging read.
Irving Stone starts off with a kick as he delves into the dramatic origins of Jack London through his mother’s—apparently staged—failed suicide attempt and his biological father’s chilly denial of paternity. From there, we get London’s fascinating childhood, his admirable stepfather, angelic stepsister, and demanding/irrational mother.
His life as a pirate (while still just a young teen!) is jam-packed enough for most lifetimes, and yet it is just the beginning of Jack’s tales: his railroad tramping, his life as a sailor on a seal hunting expedition, his brief stint in jail, his exploits trying to woo someone out of his station, his noble and relentless pursuits of education.
Then, he went to the klondike and changed the trajectory of his life, and many others lives, forever.
But that was not all: his publishing failures failures failures … then success … then failures failures failures … then glorious success, his dabbling in socialism, then his full immersion into it (philosophically … not lifestyle-ly), his practical marriage, his impractical affair(s), his money problems, his sailing excursion to the South Pacific with all of its joys, sorrows, pain, and—again—bank-busting qualities, his Japan/Korea trip, his London investigative journey, his ambitious ranch project, house, economic system, agricultural experimentation.
Stone navigates us through all of these in a way that understands the heart and soul of both a novelist and a wandering soul. We get to admire London’s indomitable spirit, work ethic, and innovation while simultaneously forgivingly criticize his monetary follies, raise an eyebrow at his extremist political philosophies, and disapprove of his personal romantic endeavors.
While reading, I could not help but notice how closely London’s life mirrored that of his character in Martin Eden, which I now recognize as a truly autobiographical novel. If you are particularly interested in seeing his wooing someone out of his social class, his self-education, and his forays into publishing, Martin Eden is it. I also found myself downloading title after title of novels that I had not known that he wrote but that Stone respectfully touts as strengths in his canon. I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me in the near future.
Surely there must be a lesson to gain from London’s ambitious surge to success before the literal burning down of his dream home the night before he was to move in and his eventual demise shortly following. But just as London’s could be seen as a precautionary tale, it should also be seen as inspirational. For me, the latter outweighs the former, and I appreciate Irving Stone’s facilitating in this matter. The next time I visit Jack London’s ranch (which all right-minded people should do), I will look upon the fingerprints of his life’s zeal with due respect, reverence, and (hopefully) a sense of personal realization.
Generally, biographies about people that write stuff … do not inspire excitement (“...And then he/she sat down and wrote some more!”). The right novelist, though? Not only could it be interesting, it could be thrilling. Jack London may be among the most compelling author biography subjects you could find.
Combine that with an excellent researcher/writer in Irving Stone (of The Agony and the Ecstacy fame—if that is fame for you at all, that is), and you have yourself a recipe for an always engaging read.
Irving Stone starts off with a kick as he delves into the dramatic origins of Jack London through his mother’s—apparently staged—failed suicide attempt and his biological father’s chilly denial of paternity. From there, we get London’s fascinating childhood, his admirable stepfather, angelic stepsister, and demanding/irrational mother.
His life as a pirate (while still just a young teen!) is jam-packed enough for most lifetimes, and yet it is just the beginning of Jack’s tales: his railroad tramping, his life as a sailor on a seal hunting expedition, his brief stint in jail, his exploits trying to woo someone out of his station, his noble and relentless pursuits of education.
Then, he went to the klondike and changed the trajectory of his life, and many others lives, forever.
But that was not all: his publishing failures failures failures … then success … then failures failures failures … then glorious success, his dabbling in socialism, then his full immersion into it (philosophically … not lifestyle-ly), his practical marriage, his impractical affair(s), his money problems, his sailing excursion to the South Pacific with all of its joys, sorrows, pain, and—again—bank-busting qualities, his Japan/Korea trip, his London investigative journey, his ambitious ranch project, house, economic system, agricultural experimentation.
Stone navigates us through all of these in a way that understands the heart and soul of both a novelist and a wandering soul. We get to admire London’s indomitable spirit, work ethic, and innovation while simultaneously forgivingly criticize his monetary follies, raise an eyebrow at his extremist political philosophies, and disapprove of his personal romantic endeavors.
While reading, I could not help but notice how closely London’s life mirrored that of his character in Martin Eden, which I now recognize as a truly autobiographical novel. If you are particularly interested in seeing his wooing someone out of his social class, his self-education, and his forays into publishing, Martin Eden is it. I also found myself downloading title after title of novels that I had not known that he wrote but that Stone respectfully touts as strengths in his canon. I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me in the near future.
Surely there must be a lesson to gain from London’s ambitious surge to success before the literal burning down of his dream home the night before he was to move in and his eventual demise shortly following. But just as London’s could be seen as a precautionary tale, it should also be seen as inspirational. For me, the latter outweighs the former, and I appreciate Irving Stone’s facilitating in this matter. The next time I visit Jack London’s ranch (which all right-minded people should do), I will look upon the fingerprints of his life’s zeal with due respect, reverence, and (hopefully) a sense of personal realization.
July 13, 2023
Сложно назвать «Моряка в седле» именно художественной биографией. Стоун все же претендует на документальную точность своего повествования. Первая половина книги получилась у Стоуна хуже чем вторая. Мне показалась чрезмерной идеализация молодого Лондона. Вторая часть «Моряка в седле» более живая.
Творчество Лондона кажется результатом его внутреннего напряжения между жаждой приключений и стремлению к спокойной семейной жизни фермера. На морях, в горах и войнах он собирал материал для книг. В спокойное время рефлексировал и писал.
Второе противоречие – приверженность социализму и свойствен��ый Лондону индивидуализм. Лондон романтически смотрит на мир, прикрываясь иллюзорной научностью социализма. Он ошибся в рациональных расчетах будущего общества, как ошиблись приверженцы социализма. Как итог в конце жизни пришло разочарование в людях. Перевоспитать человека и переустроить государства не легче, чем найти золото Клондайка.
Джек Лондон столкнулся с традиционной для творца дилеммой «рынок против творчества». Великий творец переделывает рынок под себя, заставляя прорывное творчество приносить ему деньги. Лондону в молодости это удалось, но после 30 все стало чуть сложнее. Еще сложнее ему удавалось примирять свои бурные чувства и могучий разум. Силища у него была богатырская – и ментальная, и физическая. Управлять такой силой сложнее чем сверхзвуковым истребителем. Вот он и не справился.
Ирвинг Стоун как биограф свою работу выполнил на твердое «хорошо». До уровня биографических книг пера Уолтера Айзексона книга не дотягивает, но для общего понимания творчества Джека Лондона является незаменимым источником.
Творчество Лондона кажется результатом его внутреннего напряжения между жаждой приключений и стремлению к спокойной семейной жизни фермера. На морях, в горах и войнах он собирал материал для книг. В спокойное время рефлексировал и писал.
Второе противоречие – приверженность социализму и свойствен��ый Лондону индивидуализм. Лондон романтически смотрит на мир, прикрываясь иллюзорной научностью социализма. Он ошибся в рациональных расчетах будущего общества, как ошиблись приверженцы социализма. Как итог в конце жизни пришло разочарование в людях. Перевоспитать человека и переустроить государства не легче, чем найти золото Клондайка.
Джек Лондон столкнулся с традиционной для творца дилеммой «рынок против творчества». Великий творец переделывает рынок под себя, заставляя прорывное творчество приносить ему деньги. Лондону в молодости это удалось, но после 30 все стало чуть сложнее. Еще сложнее ему удавалось примирять свои бурные чувства и могучий разум. Силища у него была богатырская – и ментальная, и физическая. Управлять такой силой сложнее чем сверхзвуковым истребителем. Вот он и не справился.
Ирвинг Стоун как биограф свою работу выполнил на твердое «хорошо». До уровня биографических книг пера Уолтера Айзексона книга не дотягивает, но для общего понимания творчества Джека Лондона является незаменимым источником.
February 1, 2026
No nyt ymmärrän milloin laivat olivat puuta ja miehet rautaa ja aivan uusvilpittömästi haaveilen jotain tuosta vielä palaavan. Ja siis ei sitä osaa, jossa se sankaruus on yhtä kuin pienen ihmisryhmän kilvoittelu muun alistamisessa, vaan sitä ei-inhimillisten luonnonvoimien väkevyyden kunnioittamista ja niiden kanssa kukoistamista. Kun luin tästä Jack Londonin elämästä niin jostain syystä näin aikaan, jossa ihminen ei ollut vielä tehnyt vakavinta virhettään eli kuvitellut hallitsevansa tätä koko planeettaa. Joku tässä sanoo niin kauniisti painukaan vittuun kaikki Marsin kolonialisoijat ja tekoälyrunkkarit. Muutenhan tuo tarina ja koko aika on kaikin puolin traaginen, eikä sitä ole syytä nostalgisoida, mutta tuon osan romantisoimiselle en voi mitään.
Lopullisen selityksen tälle lainaan Jackiltä, kun häneltä kysyttiin selitystä näennäisen ristiriitaisiin elämänfilosofioihin ja -valintoihin: "Koska se miellyttää minua.", ja päätän luottaa siihen, että jotain tuollaista post-rationaalisuutta tarvitaan.
Lopullisen selityksen tälle lainaan Jackiltä, kun häneltä kysyttiin selitystä näennäisen ristiriitaisiin elämänfilosofioihin ja -valintoihin: "Koska se miellyttää minua.", ja päätän luottaa siihen, että jotain tuollaista post-rationaalisuutta tarvitaan.
July 8, 2019
Biography of Jack London who wrote Call of the Wild - a favourite that has remained from adolescence to even now. If it were in front of me I would read it again. I really enjoyed this as I hadn't known much about Jack London the man. On the basis of this biography he would most definitely be on my list of 10 people, past and present, I would love to invite to a dinner party. I would like to know what he thought of the way things are in America right now, given the rabid socialist he was. There were some disappointments, his blind, unthinking racism for example, but that's a personal response to the man, not this book. This portrait is so richly detailed and he such a warm and affectionate being otherwise that I can see the intellectual and emotional capacity for seeing the light there. A warts and all portrait, with photos, my favourite sort of biography.
June 17, 2018
Нельзя написать биографию писателя, не стремясь понять оставленное им литературное наследие. Но всегда можно найти моменты, делающие такую биографию уникальной. Касательно Джека Лондона – речь о нём самом. Это только кажется, будто среди им написанного достаточно информации, позволяющей воссоздать портрет писателя. Однако, Лондон не писал на личные темы. В его богатом творческом наследии есть информация о многом, но не о его любовных отношениях, жёнах, детях и всём прочем, что касается общения со знакомыми. Частично открытый, Джек раскрывал далеко не всё, чем теперь можно заинтересоваться. Как же о нём лучше написать? Казалось бы, Ирвинг Стоун должен был справиться с поставленной задачей. Да вот не справился.
(c) Trounin
(c) Trounin
September 5, 2017
Ah, quelle belle biografie di una volta con poca chiacchera e tanta azione!
Ecco, questo è Irving Stone: molto socialista, molto moralista, e fan sfegatato di Jack (ma non delle sue mogli).
E’ decisamente datata come approccio e risente dell’ammirazione per l’uomo e per lo scrittore (che peraltro condivido!).
A volte è pesantemente moralista, altre sorvola su interi capitoli della sua vita (l’ex moglie, le figlie) però trasmette in pieno la vitalità, il talento e lo spirito di Jack.
Ecco, questo è Irving Stone: molto socialista, molto moralista, e fan sfegatato di Jack (ma non delle sue mogli).
E’ decisamente datata come approccio e risente dell’ammirazione per l’uomo e per lo scrittore (che peraltro condivido!).
A volte è pesantemente moralista, altre sorvola su interi capitoli della sua vita (l’ex moglie, le figlie) però trasmette in pieno la vitalità, il talento e lo spirito di Jack.
June 16, 2025
Took some time to get into this one. However, reading 150 pages in the plane helped. This book was drier than most, yet that was some of the charm. Jacks life was captured in such a way that if it wasnt written factually it would felt like a true fantasy. Jack London had a hell of a life. It is worth the read if you enjoy a hooking book that is “based on a true” story, but definitely take it as a dramatic twist on JL’s life.
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