Jack London : Novels and Stories : Call of the Wild / White Fang / The Sea-Wolf / Klondike and Other Stories (Library of America)

Book Description

Thrilling action, an intuitive feeling for animal life, a sense of justice that often works itself out through violence: these are the qualities that made Jack London phenomenally popular in his own day and continue to make him, at home and abroad, one of the most widely read of all American writers. "The Call of the Wild," perhaps the best novel ever written about animals, traces a dog's education for survival in the ways of the wolfpack. "White Fang," in which a wolf-dog becomes domesticated out of love for a man, is an unforgettable portrayal of a world of "hunting and being hunted, eating and being eaten, all in blindness and confusion." In "The Sea-Wolf," the primitive takes human form in the ruthless, indomitable Wolf Larsen, captain of a crew of outcasts on the lawless Alaskan seas. Set in the Klondike, California, Mexico, and the South Seas, the short stories collected here--many for the first time--show London as one of the great American storytellers.

Customer Reviews:

An American Master..........2007-06-07

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.

Amazing on multiple levels!.......2007-02-24

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.

Call of the Wild.......2005-05-17

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.

Reality or Fantasy... Which one is it?.......2003-05-18

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.

THE GREATES.......2002-09-17

Jack London was one of the greatest American writers. I love everything he wrote and I wish I could write as well as he did.

The Call of the Wild (Unabridged Classics)

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The not-so secret life of dogs
Buck realizes his potential

The Call of the Wild (Unabridged Classics)
Jack London
Manufacturer: Tantor Media, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1400100941

Book Description

Buck lives a content life. Half St. Bernard, half Shepard, he is top dog on a California ranch. But the Gold Rush in the Klondike has produced an enormous demand for sled dogs so, when a Gardner at the ranch needs to pay a gambling debt, stealing and selling Buck is a quick way to do it.
Having never been mistreated, Buck soon learns that man can be the cruelest animal. He is whipped, beaten and caged, but never broken. Confronted by the law of survival, Buck learns to fight, steal and pull a sled. He takes pride in his new strength and ferocity. Buck manages to escape this life of abuse and learns to love a new master more than his own life. He gradually discovers the skills of his forbears and finds his home in the primordial forest - eventually Buck cannot resist the call of the wild.
This classic book brings out the true spirit of the Gold Rush days at the turn of the last century. It portrays the brutality, kindness, love, and folly that Jack London experienced first hand during his time in the far north. It was his first successful book, and catapulted him to literary fame.

Customer Reviews:

The not-so secret life of dogs.......2005-12-17

This is a powerful tale that presents the psychology of a dog's mind, as transparent to the reader. The influence of London's writing style is seen in countless modern novels, and has the ability to transport you emotionally to the cold desolate artic. It's a dog lovers story, without the sappiness of such tales told in the more contemporary voice. His conclusions, are rational, and any one who loves animals should hear them...dogs are dogs...and that's OK.

Buck realizes his potential.......2005-01-31

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.

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Entertainment and education for everyone!
Calling All Frogs!
excellent work on frogs of eastern and central US
What about Pacific Treefrog?

The Calls of Frogs and Toads
Lang Elliott
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0811729680

Book Description

A superb collection of field recordings and descriptions offer unparalleled access to the sounds and calls of numerous popular and less well-known amphibians. The book and CD provide an introduction to the sound repertoire of species living in eastern and central North America. A variety of calls from each species are included, along with an in-depth description and explanation of their significance. In addition to color photographs of the most common species, the text offers a fascinating look at the science of amphibian calls, making this guide an indispensable aid for the outdoor enthusiast.

Customer Reviews:

Entertainment and education for everyone!.......2007-08-07

Now I know what some of those strange sounds are out there and WHO's making them! I enjoy listen to this in my car as I'm stuck in traffic. This CD and the book are both fun - young and old will enjoy them. My extremely active son and my more laid back mother both have enjoyed these. It's a winner!

I also purchased the Birds CD/Book and the Insects CD/Book. These, too, are an excellent purchase. The Insects CD actually put my son to SLEEP in the car!

Calling All Frogs!.......2005-08-12

The real value in this compact field guide is not in the very clear photos and descriptions, but is in the remarkably clear and useful recordings of amphibian calls. Since frogs and toads are active at night, they are generally identified by their calls - and this is the most useful guide I have obtained. Great addition to any naturalist's field guide collection!

excellent work on frogs of eastern and central US.......2002-12-17

...which is why the previous reviewer did not find the Pacific Treefrog...

What about Pacific Treefrog?.......2001-03-31

The CD is very well organized. The tone qualities are very good. As an amateur herpetologist, I deeply appreciate this audio archive of North American frogs and toads, especially the rana, bufo and hyla familes. Amphibians are going extinct and/ or disappearing rapidly from our planet. Mr. Elliot has compiled such an extensive audio library with great care and detail. All nature lovers and herpetologists must get this tape.

Book Description

Stolen from his family, a dog named Buck must quickly learn the harsh law of survival among the men and dogs of the goldcrazed North. With an introduction by award-winning author, Avi.

Customer Reviews:

Calling all dog lovers!.......2007-09-26

A must read for dog lovers, young and old. A wonderful story of drive, determination, transformation and love. Beautifully told. It stands the test of time, a true classic.

Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Buck is a big beefy cross dog living a happy life. A dognapper gets him, and sells him into a life of work and sled pulling. The dog endures a bunch of harsh treatment until he finds an owner who really likes him and treats him well.

That ends badly, and the dog follows his violent and atavasitic instincts in the end.

The Call of the Wild.......2007-04-18

The Call Of The Wild
The Call Of The Wild was one of the most positive experiences from a book. It started out a little boring, but eventually became more interesting.
The characters were so believable that it felt like you could be in their shoes, from every pat on the head or scratch on the belly, to every beating or fight. My favorite character was John Thorton because he protected and cared for Buck. Jack London did a fantastic job of creating all of the characters. Jack London had a way of making you want to read the book over and over again. He had so much action that it held you close. One of my favorite scenes was when John Thorton belted Hal for whipping and bashing Buck with a club, because he didn't have enough strength to pull the sled. A nether favorite scene was when the Yehat Indians attacked John' campsite and killed everyone while Buck was out hunting. When Buck came back he slashed the throats of the Indians.
I might have possibly changed a few parts where animals have died, but then it wouldn't be a true story. I would definitely recommend this book, because it has many emotions throughout the whole novel.
By Crystal Chapman

Its a dog's life........2007-02-20

Jack London's style is very captivating. I finished it in one sitting, as it is pretty short novel and too gripping. There are least two strong messages in this magnificent story, adaptation is probably the greatest asset to lead and also we have a propensity to give in to our ancient savage instinct. If you are strong like Buck, the central character, no matter where, you will lead and leave your legacy. Also the dark side of the story is our real calling; though we have been evolved (genetically or socially or both--have it your way) to be civilized, we still hear the call of the wild from our ancient fathers. Why four stars not five? The lives of Native Americans (Yeehats--though a fictional tribe) does reflect much regard, may be because it was written a hundred years ago. I really do not suggest Jack London was racist, the scene seemed little unfairly graphic. Read the book by all means.

The Best American Novel........2006-08-13

I love this dogs spirit. Two primary themes are present. A dogs struggle for survival, and man's yearning for adventure. This is an adventure story about the transformation of one of mans best freinds. Buck is a gritty and dignified dog. He led a lavish life at judge Miller's estate in the Santa Clara valley California. Then one day he is kidnapped for money and sold to traders as a sled dog, during the gold rush. He endures men's cruelty and fights for his life with other dogs. He eventually slays the lead dog and takes his place. Chapters 5-7 are worth reading several times. In 5, a civilized miner John Thornton saves Buck and their relationship grows. Chapter 7 I won't reveal. Just read this book, I promise you will love it.

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If You Like Animals This Is The Book For You
super duper
call of the wild
A Great, Non-Stop Action Book!
A Great, Non-Stop Action Book!

The Call of the Wild (Aladdin Classics)
Jack London
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689856741

Book Description

First published in 1903, The Call of the Wild is regarded as Jack London's masterpiece. Based on London's experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and his ideas about nature and the struggle for existence, The Call of the Wild is a tale about unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike.

Customer Reviews:

If You Like Animals This Is The Book For You.......2007-03-06

This book is about a dog named Buck. He travels around the world with different musher's all trying to get to a gold mine on a land. Which people never come back once they go. This book is very good because they didn't talk during most of the book.

This book explained what happened when they were mushing and how they felt when they didn't get their way when they were done mushing. For me there wasn't enough action going around in the story. There were only certain parts in the story that were interesting. Like when Buck killed Indians because they killed his owner.

Another time was when Buck and a sleigh dog were forced to fight. Then in parts of the book I didn't understand some of the words. To me the author explained everything good enough to understand. This would be a good book for any body.

super duper.......2006-12-22

This book was mind envigorting and scintytilating. I enjoyed it much and I would would suggest this book for people who like nature and are looking for a good read. It was super duper.

call of the wild.......2006-12-22

Jack London has a very sophisticated style of writing. But the book is relatively predictable. the plot pulls you in and the book is hard to put down. Some of my favorites scenes are when Buck goes back to his primal instincts and sees the ape-man by the fire. The only negative feedback i have on this book is that Jack London is sort of racist agains Indians, the Yeehats are portrayed as the bad indians that killed everyone and then danced. But overall all i have is praise for the call of the wild.

A Great, Non-Stop Action Book!.......2006-12-15

In this book, The Call of the Wild, there is non-stop action keeping the reader always want to continue. This book is filled with action, adventure, terror, and drama. It is taken place in 1903 in the state of California and in Alaska in the region of Klondike. Jack London puts you in the mind of a dog which makes this book different and more unique than many others. This dog is the main character and his name is Buck. He is half St. Bernard and half Scottish sheperd. In the beginning of the book, Buck lives with a judge and his children in his California home. Buck is a good-natured dog who loves to be around people. One day, Buck is kidnapped and shipped to Alaska where he is trained as a sled dog. He has two masters who he has faith in. Their names are Francois and Perrault. They are both French Canadians and know the land very well but, Buck realizes the many troubles in the Alaska and meets his main enemy, Spitz. Spitz is a vicious and brute tempered dog. Buck first despises Spitz when he and a pack of wolves killed a well-mannered dog, but is weak so Spitz decided to kill him. Buck never forgets the gruesome moments of this. In the middle of the book, Francois and Perrault disappear and Buck has two new leaders of the slay. They are Hal and Charles. Another member of there crew is Mercedes who's is Charles wife and Hal's sister. Buck has absolutely no faith in them by their actions. Buck grows hungry and looses his temper. Buck and Spitz have a malicious dogfight. How will fight for the rest of their life? This book is one of the best books I have read because of how well Jack London puts you in the head of a dog and puts you through a torturous time. Read The Call of the Wild by Jack London.

David LA7

A Great, Non-Stop Action Book!.......2006-12-13

In this book, there is no stop action keeping the reader always wanting to continue. This book is filled with action, adventure, terror, and drama. It is taken place in 1903 in the state of California and in Alaska in the region of Klondike. Jack London puts you in the mind of a dog. This dog, which is the main character, is named Buck. He is half St. Bernard and also half Scottish Sheperd. In the beginning of the book, Buck lives with a judge and his children in his California home. One day, Buck is kidnapped and shipped to Alaska where he is trained as a sled dog. He realizes the many troubles in the Alaska and meets his main enemy, Spitz. Spitz is a vicious and brute tempered dog. Buck grows hungry and goes from a cuddly dog to a devil. Buck and Spitz grow angry at one another and have a malicious dogfight. How will fight for the rest of their life? This book is one of the best books I have read because of how well Jack London puts you in the head of a dog and puts you through a torturous time. Read The Call of the Wild by Jack London.

David LA7

The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and Other Stories (Oxford World's Classics)

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A Classic book review
Great stories with a few odd elements
White Fang
The strong and whole hearted dog
Really thrilling, but not quite a five

The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and Other Stories (Oxford World's Classics)
Jack London
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192835149

Book Description

Of all Jack London's fictions none have been so popular as his dog stories. In addition to The Call of the Wild, the epic tale of a Californian dog's adventures during the Klondike gold rush, this edition includes White Fang, and five famous short stories - `Batard', `Moon-Face', `Brown Wolf', `That Spot', and `To Build a Fire.

Customer Reviews:

A Classic book review.......2006-01-11

In the book, The Call of the Wild and other stories, a dog name Buck is forced to leave his home in Santa Clara Valley, California after he is sold to two men that are going up north for the gold rush. They are headed to the region of Klondike Canada and once they get there Buck soon realizes that it is a very uncivilized place compared to his home. Buck competes with the rest of the sled dogs for head dog and it becomes a very violent contest in which Buck wins. After a while, Buck and the rest of the sled dogs become very weak after the long and treacherous journey. Buck is sold to an experienced gold hunter named John Thornton and they build a great relationship. After John Thornton dies Buck is forced to survive on his own and it is truly a Call of the Wild.

I enjoyed the book Call of the Wild because it was a great adventure story and a story that I think people of all ages would enjoy. I also liked how the author Jack London depicted the relationship between dog and man. He described how Buck felt towards all of his owners and how he learned that humans were only superior to him if they had one thing, a weapon. London went into more detail about Buck and John Thornton's relationship by describing how they were the best of friends. He showed that Buck was so obedient towards John that he would jump off a cliff if he were told to do so.

London did a great job of using imagery to enhance the book. I believe the plot of the book itself is what makes it a classic but the imagery and diction London chooses to use makes it just more interesting than it already is. I really think people of all ages would enjoy reading this book and even if you aren't into the wilderness type of book I think you will still enjoy the story.

Great stories with a few odd elements.......2005-05-10

I'm reviewing a shorter compilation of Jack London stories not currently available on Amazon, but all of the stories are also in this book.

I bought the book to revisit the "cold weather stories" such as Call of the Wild and To Build a Fire while holed up last winter in my snowy mountain redoubt. I enjoyed the cold adventures and descriptions of living and working outdoors in subzero weather before the era of goose down, Thinsulate, Gore-Tex and nylon. I was not too surprised to learn my recollection of these stories that I first encountered forty-odd years ago was not particularly accurate (not unlike other distant memories I investigate) and I enjoyed reading them.

Having said that, a lot of these stories are downright DEPRESSING...London was a well regarded writer and commercial success in his short lifetime. But he was apparently a tormented person, driven to alcohol and suicide by age 40. His dark view of human nature and the need for and desirability of radical socialist revolution is a theme of several stories. One of them, The Dream of Debs, fantasizes about a bazaar socialist rebellion in San Francisco. The "working class" secretly colludes to hide away food for themselves and then calls a general strike that brings the "ruling class" to its knees by imminent starvation. The result is that everyone gets their pre-strike jobs back with greatly improved income and working conditions for all the strikers. It never occurs to London, apparently a "true believer", that some of the "rulers" might not reopen their businesses as they would lose money or that they would cover their increased costs by raising prices to the workers' detriment as consumers. Oddly, London could not fathom that his story's affluent protagonist would do anything after the strike except rehire his house full of domestic servants at much increased wages, even welcoming back those who stole his food and abandoned him to battle starvation. Weird...

Nevertheless, these stories are well written with vivid, pithy language, colorful descriptions and surprising plot twists. They are excellent reading for would-be writers of all ages and, at least regarding the "traditional" stories, are excellent tales of heroic adventure in the frigid late-19th century north country.

White Fang .......2005-03-10

I once read this book when I was around 11 years old. Back then I pretty much got all of the details of the book. I again read White Fang this summer. White fang is about a fearsome wolf named Buck. Buck always stood above all of the dogs. He led his team of fellow wolfs on a race over 2,000 miles long. In the book Buck proves his strength and his courage time and time again. I must give a warning to the younger readers out there that there are some violent dog fights that Buck gets into so if you are not into the whole fighting scene you might just want to skip those parts. If you like a classic book with action and adventure than White Fang is the book for you.

The strong and whole hearted dog.......2002-11-12

The cold Alaskan air could burn anybody's skin and heart, but not this wolf named Buck. He showed he had heart in everything that he did. One of the many things Buck did during his three thousand miles was earning ownership from all the dogs on the team and from all of the men and women who owned him. He showed courage by pulling twenty five-pound sacks of flour for one hundred yards all by himself. This book is a good one to read if you love adventure, excitement and danger. I would recommend this book to anybody, but mostly the younger children because of its many fun adventures.

Really thrilling, but not quite a five.......2002-10-17

This review is by a family of three kids. Our mom read this book aloud to us. Here are our opinions:
Anne (12): I think this was a really moving book, but some of the writer's opinions, I didn't quite agree with. Jack London says that we are shaped by our society, but I believe that we can change ourselves, because we have free will.
Michelle (11): It was a great book, but I didn't like the middle portion, because White Fang was all hatred, killing all the dogs he met.
John (9): The best part was when White Fang was sitting at the shore as boats came up, waiting to kill all the dogs. I think White Fang was good and bad. He would be a good guard dog. But he was bad because he tried to kill. He never let any dog retreat to save themselves.
Mom: This was really a good book, but I recommend it as a read aloud. The reading level is way above my kids heads, but they understood it in context as a read aloud. There are some very ferocious parts that I skipped as I read, because I thought them too graphic. But the book did inspire us to discuss the idea that we are shaped by our surroundings, and that we have free will to make our way. But also, we shape other's lives by our own choices -- so we are responsible before God to others.

Call Me Lumpy: My Leave It To Beaver Days and Other Wild Hollywood Life

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Call Me Lumpy, I'M Full of Myself
Could have been better
Good for the Lump
I feel disloyal by writing this
Beaver-Lovers Beware

Call Me Lumpy: My Leave It To Beaver Days and Other Wild Hollywood Life
Frank Bank
Manufacturer: Addax
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1886110298

Book Description

Frank Bank's story is a sometimes wild, sometimes bawdy, often poignant, always funny account of a real-life Louie Louie who led a nation to California-dreamin'.

Customer Reviews:

Call Me Lumpy, I'M Full of Myself.......2007-08-30

I was very disappointed in this book, I expected it to cover his Leave it to Beaver days it does touch upon them very lightly at the beginning of the book but in a very superficial and unsatisfying manner. He basically declares who was "cool" and who wasn't on the show, big deal. Mostly he talks about his endless womanizing how he laid over a 1000 women, again superficially, how smart he is, how popular he is, what a great poker player he is, what a great stock picker he is, basically this is a self indulgent brag piece for Frank Bank written with the skill of a high school turn paper "what I did last summer". In my book this one would successfully compete for the title of one of the worst books of all times.

Could have been better.......2005-09-23

I was a little let down bt this book.
I bought the book expecting to read a lot about life on the leave it to beaver show.
but there is very little about beaver in this book. I think Frank could have made this book more interesting if he would of written more about the show and cast. I am now looking forward to reading Jerry Mathers book maybe I will read a little more on the show.

Good for the Lump.......2004-08-12

I enjoyed this light-hearted look at the difficulties of being a star on TV, in the good old days when the classic NIck at Nite sitcoms were being produced--which were also the bad old days when talented young actors were barred from getting residuals or misused in minor parts like Frank Bank. Well, he was living proof of the old adage that there are no small parts, just small actors, and he was never small.

An appealing potato-like boy, he wasn't really bad looking, he just paled next to the boy god Tony Dow, like the moon disappearing when the sun comes out. I'm not surprised he had so much luck with the ladies--just surprised he saw fit to reveal it all in this book which should be rated NC-17. And good for him for staying financially solvent when so many of his ilk went bankrupt. He had a head on his shoulders as well as a grin on his goofy face, Long live the "Lump."

I feel disloyal by writing this.......2004-03-13

I am not just a very big fan of Leave it to Beaver, but I am also interested in 1950's culture and nostalgia. I did like the first few chapters. Fred Bank (so I'm not calling him Lumpy) writes about some great LTB behind the scenes shenanigans that made what I paid for the book worthwhile. Chapter three is the beginning of the rest of the book, mostly about his sexual exploits and how he started every cool trend in California during his day. That's why I am only giving it two stars-- I can only recommend the beginning of the book.

I worried about writing this. I wondered, what if "Lumpy" reads this review?? I'm such a LTB fan!!! But then I realized after reading his book that his ego isn't in danger of being injured. So, I would recommend buying this book for the first two chapters only.

Now, if only Tony Dow would write HIS book! :)

Beaver-Lovers Beware.......2002-12-03

I only gave this one star because [Amazon.com's] format doesn't allow for zero stars. Frank Bank is like one of those irritating guys you meet at airport bars when your flight is delayed: on his sixth Scotch-rocks, won't shut up. Every topic that comes up he was there, he had the first one, everybody copied him, he had the best, the biggest, the coolest. What's saddest about this exercise in mind-numbing ego is that Bank apparently doesn't realize that the only thing interesting about him is his involvement in "Leave it to Beaver," to which he devotes very few pages and about which he gives absolutely no insight. He doesn't even get the details right in what little he says about the series: Wally and the Beaver did not go apologize to Mr. Rutherford after putting barrel hoops in his driveway, Ward (in a scene that takes place off camera) worked things out with Rutherford, which is the whole point of the show (since it was Ward who gave them the barrel hoop idea in the first place). But of course, accuracy is not anything Bank cares about, what matters to him is that this was the first episode in which Frank Bank appeared (one wonders if he ever bothered to read the rest of the script). Although Bank had a co-writer, Gib Twyman, "an award winning former sportswriter," this is possibly the worst written book I've ever read. There are no paragraphs, just short, repetitive, jargon-filled sentences (fills more pages that way, I guess). Jerry Mathers' book ("And Jerry Mathers as the Beaver") may not have been any work of art, but at least he respected what brought readers to the book. Bank does not. It's no surprise when, in a late chapter, he reveals that he's the President of the alumni organization of his high school social club, The Knights (the coolest guys on campus, of course). Bank -- emotionally and perceptually -- is still in high school. Don't waste your time or money on this flatulent, boring piece of self-inflation.

Call of the Wild (Puffin Graphics (Graphic Novels))

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Call of the Wild (Puffin Graphics (Graphic Novels))
Jack London
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 014240571X

Book Description

Buck is a dog born to luxury, but he is betrayed and sold as a sled dog in the harsh and frozen Yukon. But Buck is stronger than any man knew, and he escapes captivity and rises above his enemies to become the leader of a wolf pack. This action-packed novel tells the remarkable story of one of the most feared and admired dogs in the north. This Call of the Wild graphic novel captures all of the excitement and adventure of Jack London's classic novel.

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Well read, abridged version.
Jack London - Part Prolific Novelist, Part Wolf
The call of the wild
the call of the wild
Call of the Wild

The Call of the Wild (Tor Classics)
Jack London
Manufacturer: Aerie
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0812504321

Book Description

Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title-offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.This edition of The Call of the Wild includes a Foreword, Biographical Note, and Afterword by Dwight Swain.Kidnapped form his safe California home. Thrown into a life-and-death struggle on the frozen Artic wilderness. Half St. Bernard, half shepard, Buck learns many hard lessons as a sled dog: the lesson of the leash, of the cold, of near-starvation and cruelty. And the greatest lesson he learns from his last owner, John Thornton: the power of love and loyalty.Yet always, even at the side of the human he loves, Buck feels the pull in his bones, an urge to answer his wolf ancestors as they howl to him.

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Well read, abridged version........2007-05-09

This is not a good version for a classroom setting. The cover doesn't reveal this.

Jack London - Part Prolific Novelist, Part Wolf.......2007-04-15

After reading "The Call of the Wild" or more precisely, after being transferred to another place and time, or even more to the point after being totally submerged into the being of this animal, I'm left completely awe-struck by London's work.

To see what Buck saw, to feel the forces and the instincts that he felt... that is the power of this book. Here's a passage from the third chaper to illustrate what I mean:

"At the mouth of the Tahkeena, one night after super, Dub (a member of the sled-dog team) turned up a snowshoe rabbit, blundered it, and missed. A hundred yards away was a camp of the Northwest Police, with fifty dogs, huskies all, who joined the chase. The rabbit sped down the river, turned off into a small creek, up the frozen bed of which it held steadily. It ran lightly on the surface of the snow, while the dogs plowed through by main strength. Buck led the pack, sixty strong, around bend after bend, but he could not gain. He lay down low to the race, whining eagerly, his splendid body flashing forward, leap by leap, in the wan white moonlight. And leap by leap, like some pale frost wraith, the snowshoe rabbit flashed on ahead.

All the stirring of old instincts which at stated periods drives men out from the sounding cities to forest and plain to kill things by chemically propelled leaden pellets, the blood lust, the joy to kill--all this was Buck's, only it was infinitely more intimate. He was ranging at the head of the pack, running the wild thing down, the living meat, to kill with his own teeth and wash his muzzle to the eyes in warm blood.

There is an ecstasy that marks the summit of life, and beyond which life cannot rise. And such is the paradox of living, this ecstasy comes when one is most alive, and it comes as a complete forgetfulness that one is alive. This ecstasy, this forgetfulness of living, comes to the artist, caught up and out of himself in a sheet of flame; it comes to the soldier, war-mad on a stricken field and refusing quarter; it came to Buck, leading the pack, sounding the old wolf-cry, straining after the food that was alive and that fled swiftly before him through the moonlight. He was sounding the deeps of his nature, and of the parts of his nature that were deeper than he, going back into the womb of Time. He as mastered by the sheer surging of life, the tidal wave of being, the perfect joy of each separate muscle, joint, and sinew in that it was everything that was not death, that it was aglow and rampant, expressing itself in movement, flying exultantly under the stars and over the face of dead matter that did not move."

The call of the wild .......2007-01-18

The call of the wild, by Jack London is a great book for all ages. Buck (the main character) is a tame dog in Santa Clara California living with Judge Miller, a man that everyone new and enjoyed. This changed when a rush for gold in Yukon made men need strong dogs to pull their sleds. Buck was a very strong dog and as a result, was kidnapped. He was then taken to Yukon where there was harsh snow and was very cold. He was treated poorly until he met John Thorton. John Thorton was very kind to Buck but then one day he died. Buck was left in the wild and became friends with a wild animal. I personally like it because it is always telling you what is happining in great detail. Jack London also got right to the point making it easy to understand.

the call of the wild .......2007-01-18

The call of the wild by Jack London is a great book for all ages. Buck (the main character) is a tame dog in Santa Clara California living with Judge Miller a man that evryone new and enjoyed. All this changed when a rush for gold in Yukon. These men needed strong dogs and because of the fact Buck was strong he was kidnapped. He was then tuck to Yukon where there was harsh snow and was very cold. he was treated poorly intill he met John Thorton. John Thorton was very kind to Buck but then one day he died. Buck was left in the wild and became friends with a wild animal and learned to live in the wild.

Call of the Wild.......2006-11-13

The book The Call of the Wild is an excellent book. It is about a dog named Buck, who had to struggle while turning from a tame dog to a wild dog. He ran into cruel people, but a man named John Thorton saved his life. Buck and Thorton were devoted to each other until Thorton was killed. Buck then had to live by himself in the wild. I enjoyed this book because of the interesting plot and descriptive phrases. I would recommend this book to other fourth and fifth graders because it is marvelous.

Down Home Grizzard: Three Bestselling Works Complete in One Volume : Don't Forget to Call Your Mama, Does a Wild Bear Chip in the Woods?,Southern by the Grace of God?

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Great collection
Solid Gold Grizzard

Down Home Grizzard: Three Bestselling Works Complete in One Volume : Don't Forget to Call Your Mama, Does a Wild Bear Chip in the Woods?,Southern by the Grace of God?
Lewis Grizzard
Manufacturer: Galahad Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1578660386

Customer Reviews:

Great collection.......2003-06-14

Anyone not familiar with Lewis Grizzard ought to be in for a treat reading these books. I grew up reading Grizzard in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and I remember laughing out loud at the breakfast table so, so many times. Grizzard was a terrifically funny man, southern to the core and wrote basically about what he knew best- life in the south. Grizzard was more than just a funny guy, however, he was a real writer, a true talent. This collection makes me realize how much I miss him. You don't have to be southern to appreciate Grizzard, however, no more than you'd have to be from the Midwest to like Garrison Keillor. This is Grizzard at his best.

Solid Gold Grizzard.......2001-04-10

Lewis Grizzard is to southern humor what Elvis is to rock n roll, a legend that will live in our hearts forever. "Down Home Grizzard" is an excellent read as well as a beautiful memory to the late king of southern humor. The man is just plain funny.

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