The People of the Abyss

The People of the Abyss

Jack London

Literature & Fiction / Adventure / Classics

From the author's preface: "The experiences related in this volume fell to me in the summer of 1902. I went down into the underworld of London with an attitude of mind which I may best liken to that of the explorer. I was open to be convinced by the evidence of my eyes, rather than by the teachings of those who had not seen, or by the words of those who had seen and gone before. Further, I took with me certain simple criteria with which to measure the life of the underworld. That which made for more life, for physical and spiritual health, was good; that which made for less life, which hurt, and dwarfed, and distorted life, was bad."
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Lost Face

Lost Face

Jack London

Literature & Fiction / Adventure / Classics

Lost Face is a collection of seven short stories by Jack London. It takes its name from the first short story in the book, about a European adventurer in the Yukon who outwits his (American) Indian captors\' plans to torture him. The book includes London\'s best-known short story, "To Build a Fire".
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The Red One

The Red One

Jack London

Literature & Fiction / Adventure / Classics

This is a collection of four stories by Jack London, most of which are very good. The collection is named after the first story, "The Red One", an excellent piece of old school science fiction along the lines of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, or Arthur Conan Doyle\'s The Lost World. It tells the story of a naturalist lost on the island of Guadalcanal, searching for a mysterious red object worshipped by the island\'s natives. It\'s incredibly inventive, years ahead of its time, suspenseful, brilliantly told, and one of London\'s best stories. Another great adventure story is "Like Argus of the Ancient Times", about a former California `49er who, in his seventies, decides to set out for the Klondike for one more chance at striking it rich. While "The Red One" probably deserves a place in London\'s top ten, "Argus" just might make the top twenty. "The Princess" is about three aged hobos who cross paths and trade stories about their youthful adventures in the South Pacific.
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A Daughter of the Snow

A Daughter of the Snow

Jack London

Literature & Fiction / Adventure / Classics

"A Daughter of the Snows" is Jack London's first novel. The novel features a strong female heroine, Frona Welse. Frona was born into a wealthy family and educated at Stanford but she takes to the Yukon trail after upsetting her father and his wealthy community of friends with her out-spoken ways and her innocent friendship with the town's prostitute. "All ready, Miss Welse, though I'm sorry we can't spare one of the steamer's boats." Frona Welse arose with alacrity and came to the first officer's side. "We're so busy," he explained, "and gold-rushers are such perishable freight, at least—" "I understand," she interrupted, "and I, too, am behaving as though I were perishable. And I am sorry for the trouble I am giving you, but—but—" She turned quickly and pointed to the shore. "Do you see that big log-house? Between the clump of pines and the river? I was born there." "Guess I'd be in a hurry myself," he muttered, sympathetically,...
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