Jack London

A full-blooded, pacy biography of one of the most charismatic writers of the century, whose life and work were to inspire Hemingway, Steinbeck, Kerouac and Mailer. ‘We cannot help but read on’: TLS. ‘The energy, dynamism and sheer bursting life-force of Jack London bowls you over’: Scotsman. Born illegitimate in 1876 on the San Francisco waterfront, Jack London became a legend before he was out of his teens: as oyster pirate, seal-hunter, hobo, Klondike goldminer in Alaska, and spectacular drinker. On publication of 'The Call of the Wild' in 1903, he soon became the most highly publicised writer in the world. “A well-paced, unstuffy and engaging account of one of this century’s most paradoxical literary figures … We cannot help but read on, compelled at least in part by morbid curiosity to find out how a great man could be brought so low.” PAUL WATKINS, 'Times Literary Supplement' “Money, love passion is the troika that powers [Kershaw’s] book … Everyone who met Jack London felt his largeness of spirit. Kershaw’s triumph is to evoke this in a racy narrative that gulps the same air as London’s fiction … Kershaw’s brilliant portrait ripples … his compelling book fits its subject marvellously.” JAMES WOOD, 'Guardian' “I read this fascinating book at a gulp, appalled and admiring all at the same time. The energy, dynamism and sheer bursting life-force of Jack London bowls you over.” ROBERT CARVER, 'Scotsman' A full-blooded, pacy biography of one of the most charismatic writers of the century, whose life and work were to inspire Hemingway, Steinbeck, Kerouac and Mailer. ‘We cannot help but read on’: TLS. ‘The energy, dynamism and sheer bursting life-force of Jack London bowls you over’: Scotsman. Jack London’s life story (1876–1916) is as dramatic as any of the fiction he…