The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906) are world famous animal stories.

This Top Five Classics illustrated edition of Jack London’s The Call of the Wild and White Fang includes: • More than 30 illustrations from the original editions of The Call of the Wild and White Fang by Philip R. Goodwin, Charles Livingston Bull, and Frank E. Schoonover • London’s 1908 essay, “The Other Animals,” his response to Teddy Roosevelt’s accusation of being a “nature-faker” • A helpful introduction, author bio, and bibliography Based in large part upon Jack London’s own experiences as a prospector during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1893, The Call of the Wild traces the untaming of Buck, a St. Bernard–Scotch shepherd mix taken from his comfortable home in the Santa Clara Valley to the frozen wilds of the Yukon. Published in 1903, the book vaulted London to international fame. Three years later, he wrote White Fang, the story of a wolf-dog who undergoes the opposite journey from the northern wilderness to civilization and domestication. Both books would become synonymous with the author and have rightly remained beloved classics for over a century.

The Call of the Wild brought him international acclaim when it was published in 1903. His story of the dog Buck, who learns to survive in the bleak Yukon wilderness, is viewed by many as his symbolic autobiography. 'No other popular writer of his time did any better writing than you will find in The Call of the Wild, ' said H.L. Mencken. 'Here, indeed, are all the elements of sound fiction.' White Fang (1906), which London conceived as a 'complete antithesis and companion piece to The Call of the Wild, ' is the tale of an abused wolf-dog tamed by exposure to civilization. Also included in this volume is 'To Build a Fire, ' a marvelously desolate short story set in the Klondike, but containing all the elements of a classic Greek tragedy.

The Call of the Wild—Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time 'To this day Jack London is the most widely read American writer in the world,' E. L. Doctorow wrote in The New York Times Book Review. Generally considered to be London's greatest achievement, The Call of the Wild brought him international acclaim when it was published in 1903. His story of the dog Buck, who learns to survive in the bleak Yukon wilderness, is viewed by many as his symbolic autobiography. 'No other popular writer of his time did any better writing than you will find in The Call of the Wild,' said H. L. Mencken. 'Here, indeed, are all the elements of sound fiction.' White Fang (1906), which London conceived as a 'complete antithesis and companion piece to The Call of the Wild,' is the tale of an abused wolf-dog tamed by exposure to civilization. Also included in this volume is 'To Build a Fire,' a marvelously desolate short story set in the Klondike, but containing all the elements of a classic Greek tragedy. 'The quintessential Jack London is in the on-rushing compulsive-ness of his northern stories,' noted James Dickey. 'Few men have more convincingly examined the connection between the creative powers of the individual writer and the unconscious drive to breed and to survive, found in the natural world. . . . London is in and committed to his creations to a degree very nearly unparalleled in the composition of fiction.'

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. CliffsNotes on Call of the Wild & White Fang covers not one, but two of Jack London’s best known adventures. Meet an amazing dog named Buck and his human friend John Thornton in Call of the Wild, and then follow the story of two men, Henry and Bill, and the life of an unforgettable wolf cub. This study guide will help you keep up with all of the action as you contemplate the characters and their motivations. Helpful background information about the author brings these novels into context for even greater understanding. Other features that help you study include Complete character lists Character analyses of major players Critical essays Review questions Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

A best-seller from its first publication in 1903, The Call of the Wild tells the story of Buck, a big mongrel dog who is shipped from his comfortable life in California to Alaska, where he must adapt to the harsh life of a sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush. The narrative recounts Buck’s brutal obedience training, his struggle to meet the demands of human masters, and his rise to the position of lead sled dog as a result of his superior physical and mental qualities. Finally, Buck is free to respond to the “call” of the wilderness. Over a hundred years after its publication, Jack London’s “dog story” retains the enduring appeal of a classic. This Broadview Edition includes a critical introduction that explores London’s life and legacy and the complex scientific and psychological ideas drawn upon by London in writing the story. The appendices include material on the Klondike, Darwin’s writings on dogs, other contemporary writings on instinct and atavism, and maps of the regions in which the story takes place.

These powerful, classic Jack London stories demonstrate the will to survive. In Call of the Wild, Buck, a domesticated dog, is stolen from his home in California and sold into sled dog slavery during the 1890s Klondike gold rush in Alaska. Forced to shed the comforts of civilization, he reverts to more primitive instincts and emerges as the leader of the pack. White Fang, published before Call of the Wild, is the companion novel about a wild wolf dog who is adopted by a human and eventually domesticated. Also included are The Sea-Wolf and many short stories centered on Alaska and the Far North. Jack London’s classic tales—often told from the animal’s viewpoint—have been popular for decades and will add a bit of gold to your Word Cloud collection.

Jack London's The Call of the Wild became an immediate literary sensation upon publication, selling out its first print run and gaining critical acclaim nationwide. The popular adventure story follows Buck, a sled dog, whose transformation from a domestic pet to the Alpha male of a pack demonstrates defining American themes such as survival, determination, cunning, and loyalty. This informative volume explores the life and work of Jack London, with a focus on the nature-based themes of pastoralism and wildness within The Call of the Wild. It also includes a selection of modern viewpoints on wilderness and nature, allowing readers to connect the themes of the text to the issues of today's world.