The Call of the Wild (Wisehouse Classics - with original illustrations)

By Jack London

The Call of the Wild is a short adventure novel by Jack London published in 1903 and set in Yukon, Canada during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, when strong sled dogs were in high demand. The central character is a dog named Buck. The story opens at a ranch in the Santa Clara Valley of California when Buck is stolen from his home and sold into service as a sled dog in Alaska. He progressively reverts to a wild state in the harsh climate, where he is forced to fight to dominate other dogs. By the end, he sheds the veneer of civilization and relies on primordial instinct and learned experience to emerge as a leader in the wild.

London spent almost a year in the Yukon collecting material for the book. The story was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post in the summer of 1903; it was published a month later in book form. The book's great popularity and success made a reputation for London. Much of its appeal derives from its simplicity as a tale of survival. As early as 1923, the story was adapted to film, and it has since seen several more cinematic adaptations. (more at wisehouse-classics.com)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arthur Wallens
• Release date: Jan 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9782291081685

Jack London

Jack London was born in San Francisco in 1876, and was a prolific and successful writer until his death in 1916. During his lifetime he wrote novels, short stories and essays, and is best known for ‘The Call of the Wild’ and ‘White Fang’.

Book preview

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Reviews for The Call of the Wild (Wisehouse Classics - with original illustrations)

[viviennestrauss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent writing but I can see why I didn't like this in junior high - the cruelty to animals is pretty difficult to take. I saw recently that this is on a "banned book" list - have no idea why.

[weeziesbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Call of the Wild by Jack LondonI re-read Call of the Wild by listening to it on audio from Audible. Although I have read it a few times over the years, I wanted to refresh it in my mind before seeing the up-coming movie. I am so glad that I did. I never fail to be taken back to my positive reading experiences of youth and the simple and powerful story lines where classics such as: White Fang, Old Yeller, Where the Red fern Grows, and Call of the Wild bring to the reader. It is perfect for young readers and those that love animal or dog stories. It does describe the cruelties and hardships endured by these wonderful dogs so consider this when choosing for a child. I give this story a 5 stars and consider it a classic.

[angelarenea-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Maybe it's because I'm not a dog, but I just don't find it interesting being in the mind of Buck. I was very excited to read this because so many people raved about it, but it just didn't hold my interest even as a child.

[ron18-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's pretty hard to find fault with this story or the way it's told. It was particularly engaging to read while my family is in the process of rehabilitating a very fearful rescue dog. Jack London is among the go-to authors for perspective on how we think when you pare away frivolous comforts - and that's exemplified in CotW.

[john_warner-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When I initially read this American classic, I was in either elementary or high school. It had all the elements to entice a young boy. It is an adventure which occurs during the Yukon gold rush. The story's protagonist is Buck, an 140 lb St. Bernard and Scotch Collie mix, who is abducted from an easy life as the pet in St. Clara, California, and sold to dog traders who eventually sells him to mail couriers as a sled dog in the Yukon Territory. Buck will need to tap in to his more primeval instincts if he is to survive the harsh northern conditions. The third reason I chose this book is that it was short at less than 100 pages. I had recently read Moby Dick and I needed a break!It has been good revisiting some of the classics I read as a youth. They become more enjoyable when you understand better literary themes and metaphors.

[othemts · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Believe it or not, I've never read The Call of the Wild (1903) by Jack London, which one would think is a requirement of being a kid in America. And I still haven't read it, although on a whim I listened to my library's audiobook copy, albeit not very carefully. Narrated in an appropriately macho fashion by Frank Muller, The Call of the Wild tells the story of Buck a farm dog who is kidnapped from Northern California and forced to pull sleds for for miners in the Yukon gold rush. A cushy pet learns to fight for food and compete for leadership of the pack through fighting and violence, and eventually becomes alpha dog in a wild wolf pack after his owner dies.Yes friends, before I read this book I knew it had something to do with Alaska and dogs, but I had no idea that the entire book is about a dog from a dog's point of view. Granted, the book is very symbolic in that we humans sit very tenuously on the edge of civilization and brutality and savageness (and London wrote this before the World Wars, the Holocaust, and all the horrors of the 20th century that tested humanity). Still, as a book about dogs it's a very good and accurate look at what may be going on in a dog's mind.

[stevenjohntait · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. Everyone should read it.

[schmerguls · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book when I was a freshman in hih school and while I have nor surviving record of what I thought about it when I read it mymemory is that I liked it a lot.

[santhony_35 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For Christmas, I ordered an mp3 player (Library of Classics) that was pre-loaded with 100 works of classic literature in an audio format. Each work is in the public domain and is read by amateurs, so the quality of the presentation is hit or miss. The Call of the Wild is a classic short story (or perhaps a novella) written by Jack London. Its protagonist is a large, mixed breed dog named Buck who is kidnapped (dognapped) in California and relocated for conversion into a sled dog at the height of the Alaskan gold rush. The story is told from Buck’s point of view, as he goes through a progression of owners, some kind and competent, others cruel and hopelessly stupid. He traverses the route from Skagway to Dawson several times before coming into the company of his final owner. London’s writing is sublime and the imagery is first rate. Buck’s progression from a family pet, to an ultra-competent lead sled dog to finally a creature of “the wild” is vastly entertaining and educational.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

*sigh* Story time. When my father was about fifteen, he was at his much older brother's house. His brother was helping him with his homework (reading this book). After the first chapter, my father had no idea what the book was about. His brother was astounded. No matter how many times they read the chapter, my father couldn't tell his brother a danged thing about what was going on or what the book was about. My aunt - a psychologist - got involved and began talking to my father about the book. By the end of the conversation, my aunt proclaimed that my father had textbook {insert primitive name of what would eventually be called ADD}.Quite frankly, if anyone were to talk to me about this book, try quizzing me on it, or simply watch me reading it, they'd accuse me of having ADD. It is exceptionally boring. Painful almost. All emotion is sucked out in favor of analysis.

[tonyasb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I drive a lot for work and get bored with listening to the radio after a while. A lot of times I'll listen to audiobooks but they're so expensive that I haven't listened to one in a while. So I was happily surprised when I found White Fang and The Call of the Wild on audio for $4 apiece at Half Price Books. If you are not familiar with this store, I am very sorry. It's absolutely wonderful (but not near as wonderful as our own Recycled Books here in Denton - I really love that store).So I remember reading The Call of the Wild when I was kid and I think I saw a movie on White Fang at some point in my life but they're both very fuzzy and needless to say I had the two confused in my head. Well, maybe not confused but merged is the better word. I had somehow remembered a wild half-wolf dog that was captured and tortured to fight other dogs then rescued and taught be a sled dog who eventually went back to the wild. Yeah. Just remember it had been a long time.After listening to the two back to back, I believe that The Call of the Wild is my favorite of the two simply because I'm not fond of the narrative in White Fang. The narrator keeps referring to people as "gods" in White Fangs eyes. Also, he sees power as coming from material possessions. This is a human qualification and I have never seen animals give deference to another animal because of possessions. They base power on strength. It is possible with some animals that the leader may have access to more food and other possessions but that is because he/she is ALREADY leader. Those things do not make the leader. So, because the wolf apparently sees materials possessions as power he sees white people as being superior to all others. See where I'm going here? Very irritating.Ok, here's another problem: inconsistency. I realize these are different stories but they both concern sled dogs at some point. In The Call of the Wild, the sled dogs regard the lead sled dog with deference and treat him as leader in all other aspects of life. In White Fang, the other dogs view the lead dog as running away from them and therefore a coward to be tormented. The lead dog must sit with the people in order to be protected. WHAT??!! I don't know anything about sledding but I know about dogs and this simply doesn't make sense. The Call of the Wild was written first so maybe he discovered something that I don't know about. I tried to find some other reviews to see if there was any mention of this but all I could find were school papers and descriptions of the book. Anyone know where I can find good critiques not written by 6th graders?Ok, so I didn't completely dislike White Fang. I was irritated by those things but the storyline is very good. I was surprised when I found out it was written after The Call of the Wild because it seems a little more rough. It reads like a first book, where The Call of the Wild seems more polished. In both books I really enjoyed the interplay between the main characters and the other dogs. The dogs seemed more real than the people. This makes complete sense, since the story is told from the point of view of the dog. The other dogs would be the ones that Buck and White Fang knew the best. London accomplishes this very well. I also enjoyed the exchange between Buck and Thornton and White Fang and Scott. Being an animal lover and having dogs all my life, I know the power of the love from an animal. I was impressed by how Scott won over White Fang. His devotion to Scott reminds me of my boyfriend's dog, Skillet, who treats Jeff as if he hung the moon and my dog, Loki, who treats me the same way. Both of these dogs were rescued also. There seems to be something that happens to a dog who is rescued and loved that makes them more devoted than a dog who comes to you as a puppy, like my other dog, Aurora. She obviously loves me and I love her very much but Loki and Skillet become visibly upset just being out of our presence. I was also impressed that Buck remained with Thornton even when he wanted to be free simply because he loved this man. Many people may say this is anthropomorphizing, that animals can't love like this. I say they have never given themselves to an animal enough to feel that love.

[kendrarenee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very fast-paced and action-packed. London writes like a natural, and I really enjoyed the story's embodiment of Darwin's ideas/theories. Its eloquent narration of Buck's return to nature appeals to my own instincts, having grown up somewhat removed from typical "civilization" myself ... but I have to admit, his emphasis on THE fittest, Buck, feels rather aloof and elitist for me. But in that sense, I suppose London is staying true to the story's central theme: only the fittest DO and CAN survive.

[velvetsnape · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I hate this book! Any book where a dog gets abused sucks!

[nyanyanhoi · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This story about the dog that for dog sled.They endure cold and hurt. They grow up strongly like wolf. There are some person abandon their dog if dog get weak. But Thornton desn't.I think It's very nice story. I feel friendship between human and the dog. Because when Thornton in danger, the dog try to help him.

[nholt_23 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a powerful novel based around the life of a lone wolf- setting out in the world to make his way. I read it when I was 14 and couldn't put it down. Excellent writing, and a superb unique story. I recommend it to anyone who loves a great work of art.

[elenaestrada_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This classic book is about a young man who is attempting to make his fortune during the Alaskan Gold Rush era. It is a significant literature piece since it is one of the first time an American novel has Nature triumph over Man. Young adult readers will find it this historical fiction is very realistic and it provides a window into the lives of minors. The reader may need to look up some key vocabulary words if they are not familiar with extremely cold climates.

[darlingtrk_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think I started this book a long time ago, recommended by my brother Ben. It is awesome, and I can see why he liked it. This is a book for everyone, but I think it is especially appropriate for men.... Honest men live in the balance between the wild and civilization. Something calls them to a less predictable, more demanding life while safety and commitment calls them back. In his rise from a pampered hunting dog to leader of a sled team, there are also leadership lessons that any man interested in his work could stand to learn. This is a great book, and short enough for anyone to enjoy, even if they are not an avid reader.

[andreablythe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jack London tells the tale of Buck, a dog used to a life of entitlement until he is stolen away and shipped off to Alaska, where he is sold as a sled dog. In Alaska, he learns the ways of club and fang, and begins to understand the brutal ways of the wild. On this second reading (I read it in highschool), I could better appreciate the descriptive style of the book. Buck is sort of an idealized dog -- smarter, larger, faster, better than all the rest. Despite that idealism, this story is certainly realistic, in that I'm sure many dogs did go wild, and still do from time to time. Its an interesting transgression, the movement from civilisation to wildness, and I'm sure there' s a message in there about the call of savageness in humanity as well as animals. Not necessarily a favorite, but an easy read, and enjoyable overall.

[mcov_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Call of the Wild takes place in the late 1890’s and it temporarily takes place in California but moves onto Alaska and the Klondike Region of Canada. The theme of this novel is the laws of the wilderness and the struggle for mastery. In this novel, Buck is the main character. He is a dominant dog who lives in his own world and he lives by his own rules till he gets beaten by his owners. After being beaten by his masters, he loves his last master, John Thornton.In The Call of the Wild, I like how Buck is able to connect with his final master and treats him better than his others at first sight. In addition, I like how Buck returned a favor to his owner after his owner saved his life from Hal, who is an American Gold Seeker. I also like how Buck, being a powerful dog, is able to work as a team with other dogs to carry loads through the snow. I truly like Buck and John Thornton’s relationship in this book, how it really shows how dogs are mans best friend.In addition to Buck and John Thornton’s relationship, I like how they watch out for each other and how they can work together to accomplish challenges, such as their adventures through the snow carrying loads of supplies. They also work together to find supplies they need to survive and fight off predators. I really liked when Buck came back to camp, found out his master died from a pack of Indians and decided to attack the Indians showing how much he loved his master.After this severe event, Buck moves on to become the leader of a pack of wolves inspiring fear in the Indians that killed his master and every year he returns to the place where John Thornton, his master died. Buck does this to think about his master and the great things they have done together.In The Call of the Wild, I really dislike how Buck has to deal with so many bad people and losing most of his friends. Curly, one of Bucks friends he met on a boat heading towards Canada. As she was leaving the boat, Buck watched her die from a pack of huskies. Buck also had to watch one of his teammates get shot by his owner only because he was too sick to carry the supplies through the snow with the other dogs. I also dislike how Buck is beaten and starved for most of this book by his masters. Buck is a very powerful dog but I believe having to deal with his masters could have been taken differently other than risking his life. I believe his masters should have given him time to calm himself down instead of beating him into the way they wanted him to behave. Also this novel could have had more situations where Buck was given a chance to mess around or have fun like most dogs do.In conclusion, I believe that Buck started out living an extremely tough life but finished with a group of friends and family that will always be there for him.

[booksbooks11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book has a special place in my heart, I remember reading it as a child and crying at some crucial moment, it really touched me. I reread it just for nostalgic reasons but could never quite find the part where I cried before, in fact I remembered parts that seemed to have gone. Some kind of internal embellishment must have happened over the years. A thoroughly enjoyable book for any confident readers over age 9 or 10.

[sfm13 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite Jack London novel! I love how he writes from Buck's perspective. I felt I could relate the the dog on a personal level... feeling like I knew what he was going through.

[aethercowboy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Call of the Wild, while synonymous with certain biological functions, is not a precursor to Everybody Poops.Jack London, in one of his many stories of adventure centering around the Klondike Gold Rush, introduces us to a pampered and domestic dog named Buck, who is kidnapped and sold into dog-slavery, being tied to a sled and forced to run, run, run!The human that befriends Buck, John Thornton, spends his time looking for gold and figuring out what he'd do for a Klondike bar, so he could get a decent drink!The story is one that is told in its title: Buck, once domesticated, proves that you can take the dog out of the wild, but you cannot take the wild out of the dog, which is why most veterinarians do not offer wildectomies.This is, by far, one of London's most read books, so you've probably already read it, if you've ever read anything by London before; but if you haven't, and you enjoyed his other work, you might want to pick up The Call of the Wild before people start giving you strange looks. They know!

[kimmclean · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Overall I liked the book even though there was a lot of blood and cruelty. In this story Buck a dog who lived the easy life at an estate was not use to the ways of the wild. The wilderness taught him to adapt or to die and he chose to adapt. This book takes you through the joys and griefs of Buck's life.

[mikeru_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The main character of this story is a dog that is called Buck.He was had by a man, but one day he is carried off and meets various people and dogs. He is very clever and strong, so I think he is like a wild wolf.Buck's life is thrilling and terrible. But he followed the call of the wild finally, so his life may be happy.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the book telling the story of a dog named Buck. He is a magnifiicently strong animal that is stolen from his farm in California and sent off to the Yukon becoming a member of a dog sled team. The style of the story reminds a great deal of Black Beauty coming from the animal's POV. I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised at a fast paced tale.

[arielfl · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I read this to help out my daughter who was assigned this book to read over the summer between sixth and seventh grade. I hated it. I wish they could have picked a better book. I could name 100 off the top of my head. My daughter is the greatest dog lover ever, she lives for dogs and this book was non stop violence against them. There were times that tears were pouring down her face. I think it's cruelty to make her read this book. All of the dogs die and in gruesome painful ways. If you are into reading about dogs being tortured then this is the book for you. After watching all of his friends drown Buck, the main dog character finally achieves a little kernel of happiness with the one person in the book who actually seems to care for dogs. Of course that is cruelly ripped away from him by some made up some blood thirsty Native Americans. Nice stereotype there. Other people are referred to as "half breeds". Not too PC. Thanks for tormenting school kids everywhere and making my daughter cry Jack London.

[goldletter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One I haven't read, but plan to. It has several pastel colored illustrations.

[tripleblessings_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Stolen from his family home in California, whipped and brutalized, the big dog Buck quickly learns the harsh law of survival among the men and dogs of the gold-crazed North. He goes to the Klondike during the 1897 gold rush, becomes a sled dog, and fights his way to become a feared leader, even killing his rival. When he finds the one man he can love and trust, they make a formidable team. But ultimately Buck's instincts draw him to join the wild wolves of the north.

[jodyjoujou_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My first book ever to read when I started Middle school. One of my favorite lit books. Its a great book because it plays on all the different level of the readers' feelings. Sometimes I felt angry, sad, and some chapter and plot made me happy, excited. Overall I recommend it for anyone who needs to get into reading this book will make you want to read more.

[ague_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I rated this book a 9 out of 10. It is a great adventure story about a dog, and thus little or no dialogue takes place.