Call of the Wild Books

Love this book and have loved reading Call of the Wild, since I was 9 or 10.
I also recommend the other collection because it has a few this one doesn't. The Portable Jack London (Viking Portable Library) The thing I liked in addition are the old letters he wrote. Cool reflection and time travel to that time period.

Novels and Stories was the first of a two volume set that I scored for cheap on ebay a few years ago. The second, Novels and Social writings concentrates on his political/social novels and essays while this one is comprised of his Alaskan and sea bearing adventure stories.

This book weighs in at over 1000 pages and includes three GREAT novels in Call of the Wild, The Sea Wolf and White Fang as well as multitudes of his short stories.

I can't say enough about how much I love Londons writings and how much admiration I have for him as a man as well. I've read Call of the Wild about every two years or so since the first time I read it as a child and I get more out of it every time I re-read it. His adventure stories on one level are just great red blooded adventure stories that anyone who has any heart or spirit would enjoy and there is a deeper level to London as well. His stories are highly spiritual if you are able to look at them on another level. Although thats something that you have to "feel" from within I suppose.

After reading this book for school, (not that I was forced to) I gave it a 4/5 star rating. It was excellent when it came to the setting of the story. Even though it is a very short, it crams alot of suspensfull and interesting moments into 100 some odd pages. This book is quite good and page turning. I highly recommend it to readers who like a mix of reality and fantasy in one. Masterful piece of writing.

You can't lump too many people into the same sphere with London...Twain, Poe, and Lovecraft are a few that spring to mind. He's an American Titan, and he gets the fawning treatment you'd expect from the Library of America in this exemplary, extraordinary, green-registered book.

Call of the Wild is a page-turning yarn about a dog that becomes a wolf. It's listed on the MLA 100, but any competent kid of ten could tackle it...and enjoy it.

White Fang is a canine bildungsroman that inverts the plot of Call of the Wild, with the wolf becoming a dog. Also a page-turner, also something a kid would read without having to be coerced, and possessed of a truly classic scene where White Fang fights a bulldog.

The Klondike Short Stories are all superb--some people think London's metier was the short story rather than the novel--with Batard being a personal favorite.

The Sea-Wolf is a work of genius...until it all comes crashing down with the introduction of Maud Brewster, and the escape to Endeavour Island. What had heretofore been a truly transcendent work of art transmogrifies into a clunky, melodramatic, and tedious chore, where London's love of sailing jargon threatens to overwhelm the reader.

The Selected Short Stories show that London wasn't just a Yukon guy...he had some other arrows in his quiver. A few stories demonstrate his--at the time--devout socialism, which lasted up until he himself got rich. The Apostate is the weakest of these, but The Strength of the Strong is a pretty good allegory for fin-de-siecle capitalism, with all its gory excesses. London also writes convincingly about such diverse topics as boxing, South Sea cannibals, and straight-up science fiction.

This book of books is excellent, and any American who fancies himself a lover of literature would be remiss in not reading it.

This book was really good, but I believe that White Fang was better. Many settings took place, but I will start with the main ones. The first setting in this book was Judge Millers Mansion. The second is the dog breakers place, in which Buck (the main character, a dog,) learns the "law of Club and Fang." The third place is where Buck learns the method of husky fighting, and because the other dog died, he lived a long and well-lived life. The first major event in this book is when a person steals Buck from Judge Miller, and he is starved and strangled and is thrown in a shed to wait for a train to the dog breaker. There, he is introduced to the primitive law of club and fang. After that, he, and a Newfoundland, are taken to Alaska. There, he is introduced to the method of Husky Fighting, and then is put into the harness, and is put to work on the mushing sled. The next major event is when Buck is taken of his first mushing trip in the wild. There he learns how to keep warm in the harsh winters by digging into the snow and having your body heat heat up the space. The next area is when Buck and Spitz finally fight to the death, and Buck takes the position of lead dog on the mushing track. Finally, the last major setting is when Buck finaly turns to the wild, and he attacks the YeeHats with a vengance, because they had killed his LOVED master. The conflict in this book is Buck is a spoilled rotten dog, until he reaches the North and finds that he has wild ancestors. They eventually take over Buck and he lives with the wild.

The Call of the Wild is such a classic that it's hard to believe anyone hasn't read it -- adult, child, everyone should read this delightful book! Sometimes it's hard to read about animals who are mistreated, but there is a higher purpose to the mistreatment in this book, and for the most part everyone gets his just due.

This edition is fine. Lots of information as other reviewers have noted, but I would not call it an illustrated book. Where are the illustrations? There are maps and old photographs, but no illustrations as such. I wish there was an illustrated edition of this book such as the Templar edition of Jack London's White Fang (2008, illustrated by Helen Ward, ISBN 978-1-84011-984-8), such a beautiful book, one to keep and eventually pass on to another book lover. But the bottom line is: any edition of The Call of the Wild (in it's original language) is a delight.

Gold was found in Alaska, the rush to obtain it required a strong constitution and many dogs to do the work that horses usually did in the states. The environment bread harsh attitudes. Also in the testing of ones mettle one finds their true potential.

Buck (a dog that is half St Bernard and half Shepherd) goes through many lives, trials, and tribulations finally realizing his potential. On the way he learns many concepts from surprise, to deceit, and cunning; he also learns loyalty, devotion, and love. As he is growing he feels the call of the wild.

This book is well written. There is not a wasted word or thought and the story while building on its self has purpose and direction. The descriptions may be a tad graphic for the squeamish and a tad sentimental for the romantic. You see the world through Buck's eyes and understand it through his perspective until you also feel the call of the wild.

The Call of the Wild - Dog of the Yukon (1997)

If you just want a copy of _The Call of the Wild_, to give to a friend, say, this is the one to get.

The elegant Library of America edition of "London: Novels and Stories" has three complete novels _The Call of the Wild_, _White Fang_, _The Sea-Wolf_, and a very well chosen selection of stories. It's great. Viking's _The Portable Jack London_, is cheap and excellent; it's edited by Earle Labor, has _The Call of the Wild_, and an excellent selection of short stories, nonfiction, and letters. If you want copies of _The Call of the Wild_ to give to LOTS of friends, the Dover Thrift Edition is just a buck.

But if you want _just_ The Call of the Wild, this edition is nice enough to give as a gift, is clear and legible, and has just the right amount of pictures and annotations. Not a scholarly work, but every time you get to one of those places where you have a question--where was Dyea? What was the "Chinese lottery?" Could a dog really pull a thousand pound sled? there's Dyer with the answer.

If you're interested in Jack London, take a look at the alt.books.jack-london Internet discussion group--see "about me" for details.

First story so beautiful and poignant, it brought tears to my eyes. London displays a true understanding of the deeper reaches of nature. A remarkably real parable of the civilized dog brought back to his wild roots. "White Fang", longer and wildly overwritten, is nevertheless deeply affecting also. Romantic, sentimental, and perhaps somewhat unrealistic. Each story was wonderful and very individual, somewhat amazing considering there are 40 of them. "The Sea Wolf" was the best of all, I thought. The character of Wolf Larsen was just totally intriguing. And I have never forgotten (and will probably carry with me to my grave) a line from that book, uttered by Larsen. To paraphase - The most abundant thing on this planet is not air, or water or land. They are all perishable, or can be ruined or consumed in some way or another. It is life, life itself, that is everywhere. Wolf Larsen was one of the most unforgettable characters in fiction that I have ever run across. An amoral man to the nth degree.

If you like the movies you will love these stories. Combines page turning reading with a poetic quality that only Jack London can develop.

Loved White Fang so much I have gone on and read everything this man ever wrote. If you love the outdoors, and can live without T.V. a few nights then get this one. You will not regret the money well spent.

Gold was found in Alaska, the rush to obtain it required a strong constitution and many dogs to do the work that horses usually did in the states. The environment bread harsh attitudes. Also in the testing of ones mettle one finds their true potential.

Buck (a dog that is half St Bernard and half Shepherd) goes through many lives, trials, and tribulations finally realizing his potential. On the way he learns many concepts from surprise, to deceit, and cunning; he also learns loyalty, devotion, and love. As he is growing he feels the call of the wild.

This book is well written. There is not a wasted word or thought and the story while building on its self has purpose and direction. The descriptions may be a tad graphic for the squeamish and a tad sentimental for the romantic. You see the world through Buck's eyes and understand it through his perspective until you also feel the call of the wild.

The Call of the Wild
By: Jack London
A book review

If you like stories about sled dogs driving people to Alaska, then you would probably want to read this book. The people were going to Alaska because they wanted to find gold. Along the way there were challenges and adventures.
First Buck, a St. Bernard-Scotch Shepard, was kidnapped from his cozy home in California and taken to the frozen north in Alaska. When he was in Alaska he became a sled dog. Next, Buck had many battles with different dogs. Buck made himself a lead dog.
I like this book The Call of the Wild because it had many action scenes. The reason why I like the action scenes there were fights and adventures. Another reason I like this book because I learned about many types of dogs. I learned that dogs can pull sleds. I also learned that dogs can have fights. The last thing I liked about the book was that the author wrote captions under the illustrations. I liked that because it tells you what is happening.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book because it is a great action/adventure book about a St. Bernard-Scotch Shepard named Buck. This book is also great because I like dogs and they are my favorite pets. If you enjoy reading about dogs then you will love this book as well.

Bucks life starts out in Santa Clara Valley but he was neither a housedog nor a kennel dog. His father was a Saint Bernard and his mother was a Scotch Shepherd dog. At one point in the book Buck's change is compared to his Scotch Shepherd side sort of fading away. Later his actions mirror and even dominate those of the wolves around him.

The book is about Buck and his transition and response to the wild land he finds and the "wild" that may have always been in him. We are told that the "dominant primordial beast was strong in Buck."

A series of events took him to Alaska where many big dogs with strong muscles found work. His strong attachment and genuine love for his master ends with no master and he seems to have become what had called him all along.

We really do see through Bucks eyes. Even so it isn't just his transformation that we feel but get our own taste of what the "wild" is.

The book is one that you will want to read in one sitting. It is hard to put down. It is a good book for friends who may not really like to read and likewise is a unique experience in a point of view for those that do

Gold was found in Alaska, the rush to obtain it required a strong constitution and many dogs to do the work that horses usually did in the states. The environment bread harsh attitudes. Also in the testing of ones mettle one finds their true potential.

Buck (a dog that is half St Bernard and half Shepherd) goes through many lives, trials, and tribulations finally realizing his potential. On the way he learns many concepts from surprise, to deceit, and cunning; he also learns loyalty, devotion, and love. As he is growing he feels the call of the wild.

This book is well written. There is not a wasted word or thought and the story while building on its self has purpose and direction. The descriptions may be a tad graphic for the squeamish and a tad sentimental for the romantic. You see the world through Buck's eyes and understand it through his perspective until you also feel the call of the wild.

Gold was found in Alaska, the rush to obtain it required a strong constitution and many dogs to do the work that horses usually did in the states. The environment bread harsh attitudes. Also in the testing of ones mettle one finds their true potential.

Buck (a dog that is half St Bernard and half Shepherd) goes through many lives, trials, and tribulations finally realizing his potential. On the way he learns many concepts from surprise, to deceit, and cunning; he also learns loyalty, devotion, and love. As he is growing he feels the call of the wild.

This book is well written. There is not a wasted word or thought and the story while building on its self has purpose and direction. The descriptions may be a tad graphic for the squeamish and a tad sentimental for the romantic. You see the world through Buck's eyes and understand it through his perspective until you also feel the call of the wild.

The Call of the Wild - Dog of the Yukon (1997)

i think the editorial review was a little bit off for this story, it's not 'a story of a boy and his wolf' its a story of a dog, various humans(owners), and the dogs transition eventually to a wolf pack. so i don't know whatthey were talking about.

By Jack London The story I read is called The Call of the Wild. The story is about a dog named Buck who was stolen from his owner (Judge Miller) and sold to people in the north. He was used as a sled dog and he was beaten and abused by many people. He had to watch his friends be beaten to death because they would not follow orders. Indians kill his friends. Buck found other friends and lived in the wild. I liked the book and you should check it out.

I loved the book and reccomend it to everyone. it was sad because Buck was stolen and not able to enter the 'call of the wild'. I enjoyed it because it was emotional and i enjoy those kind of books. Thank You Jack London(even though he's dead) for writting such a wonderful book.

I think that this is a great book for those who loves animals and the wilderness. I read this book in 2-3 days. Great book, what else can I say?

Poetry lovers who only know Bob Holman as a great poetry activist -- and particularly as the host of the Friday night poetry slams at New York's Nuyorican Poets Cafe -- now have the opportunity to give him his due as a poet. I love "The Collect Call of the Wild" because it demonstrates so much emotional, intellectual, and technical range. How is it possible for the same poet to write delirious political lovesongs to Nelson Mandela and the gentlest, slyest, most musical haikus? Clearly, Holman -- who is given always to extolling the work of other poets -- is too modest. His own work is brilliant, as this book amply demonstrates. Read it and be nourished

I teach high school Spanish and I listen to these audio books while driving, both for entertainment and to improve my Spanish. I had read Call of the Wild in English fifty years ago, and couldn't wait to hear it in Spanish. It was just as spellbinding! The reader was reading for a native-speaker audience, so I had to listen to it three times to catch everything. And I enjoyed all three listenings.