Golden State: Selected California Writings

by Jack London, Gerald Haslam (Editor)

For nearly a century, Jack London has been an international icon, more widely read and translated than any other American author. First and foremost, however, he has always been a Californian, the first major writer to use the Golden State as his base. Even his famed Alaskan novels are solidly rooted in California. In this exciting and original anthology, editor Gerald Haslam has selected from the best of London's writings, including Valley of the Moon, John Barleycorn, Martin Eden, The Sea Wolf, Star Rover, The Iron Heel, and other classic works, along with essays, short stories and journalism. Together, these writings display the supreme skillfulness of London's prose, his political and social passions, his unsurpassed ability to render emotional states and physical landscapes. For those who may not have read London in recent years, this anthology offers an opportunity to rediscover a truly great writer. Jack London's Golden State also allows readers to discover California. Many of the themes covered by London a century ago are amazingly fresh and relevant urban poverty and decay, the call of the countryside, the arrival of recent immigrants, environmental degradation, the existence of youth gangs and the homeless, the chronic wanderlust and restlessness of Californians, the mixture of defeat and opportunity that still marks California life. This outstanding anthology presents to readers old and young alike a great writer in all his power, beauty, tenderness, and--yes, after nearly a century--all his remarkable relevance.

285 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

John 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".

Reviews

[Cynthia Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second time through this wonderful collection from a wonderful writer. The stories and excepts from novels are chosen well and organized to illustrate several aspects of Jack London's life, experiences and obsessions. I enjoy London for how he writes as much as what he writes about. He broke from any Victorian sentimentalism with strong expository writing, but he with sensatively drawn characterizations and gentle humor.

Some are non-fiction pieces from magazine or newpaper coverage, some from his nature and historical stories, and some are fictionalized autobiographies. A great bedside book.

✈️. I brought this old favorite along for a cross-country journey and am enjoying the stories yet again. He has such a fantastic way with description.

[Norman Fahrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection and excerpts of the work of this great writer. It reflects his life experiences, especially in his earlier years: "Work was everything. It was sanctification and salvation. The pride I took in a hard day's work well done would be inconceivable to you. I was as faithful a wage-slave as ever a capitalist exploited." - And then he writes: "...I found myself looking upon life from a new and totally different angle. I saw the workers in the shambles at the bottom of the Social Pit. I swore I would never again do a hard day's work with my body except where I was absolutely compelled to...."

[Meredith Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt dislike the writing, but without the context of the greater story I would have much preferred reading the whole books instead.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Jack London's writing! This is an accessible classic with lots of variety. The author tells Jack London's biography, and chooses short stories or excerpts from books, which reveal his writing style. Recommended for teens and adults!