The Call of the Wild

By Jack London

Call of the Wild is an emotional rollercoaster of a novel set during the late 19th century Klondike Gold Rush. The central character is Buck, an Alaskan sled dog who is forced to adjust to the cruel climate in order to survive. If you have even a remote love of dogs then you will fall head over heels in love with this book. In fact, take away th

• Language: English
• Publisher: iBoo Press House
• Release date: Nov 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781641810807

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

Chapter 1

Into the Primitive

        "Old longings nomadic leap,

          Chafing at custom’s chain;

          Again from its brumal sleep

          Wakens the ferine strain."

Buck did not read the newspapers, or he would have known that trouble was brewing, not alone for himself, but for every tide-water dog, strong of muscle and with warm, long hair, from Puget Sound to San Diego. Because men, groping in the Arctic darkness, had found a yellow metal, and because steamship and transportation companies were booming the find, thousands of men were rushing into the Northland. These men wanted dogs, and the dogs they wanted were heavy dogs, with strong muscles by which to toil, and furry coats to protect them from the frost.

Buck lived at a big house in the sun-kissed Santa Clara Valley. Judge Miller’s place, it was called. It stood back from the road, half hidden among the trees, through which glimpses could be caught of the wide cool veranda that ran around its four sides. The house was approached by gravelled driveways which wound about through wide-spreading lawns and under the interlacing boughs of tall poplars. At the rear things were on even a more spacious scale than at the front. There were great stables, where a dozen grooms and boys held forth, rows of vine-clad servants’ cottages, an endless and orderly array of outhouses, long grape arbors, green pastures, orchards, and berry patches. Then there was the pumping plant for the artesian well, and the big cement tank where Judge Miller’s boys took their morning plunge and kept cool in the hot afternoon.

And over this great demesne Buck ruled. Here he was born, and here he had lived the four years of his life. It was true, there were other dogs, There could not but be other dogs on so vast a place, but they did not count. They came and went, resided in the populous kennels, or lived obscurely in the recesses of the house after the fashion of Toots, the Japanese pug, or Ysabel, the Mexican hairless,—strange creatures that rarely put nose out of doors or set foot to ground. On the other hand, there were the fox terriers, a score of them at least, who yelped fearful promises at Toots and Ysabel looking out of the windows at them and protected by a legion of housemaids armed with brooms and mops.

But Buck was neither house-dog nor kennel-dog. The whole realm was his. He plunged into the swimming tank or went hunting with the Judge’s sons; he escorted Mollie and Alice, the Judge’s daughters, on long twilight or early morning rambles; on wintry nights he lay at the Judge’s feet before the roaring library fire; he carried the Judge’s grandsons on his back, or rolled them in the grass, and guarded their footsteps through wild adventures down to the fountain in the stable yard, and even beyond, where the paddocks were, and the berry patches. Among the terriers he stalked imperiously, and Toots and Ysabel he utterly ignored, for he was king,—king over all creeping, crawling, flying things of Judge Miller’s place, humans included.

His father, Elmo, a huge St. Bernard, had been the Judge’s inseparable companion, and Buck bid fair to follow in the way of his father. He was not so large,—he weighed only one hundred and forty pounds,—for his mother, Shep, had been a Scotch shepherd dog. Nevertheless, one hundred and forty pounds, to which was added the dignity that comes of good living and universal respect, enabled him to carry himself in right royal fashion. During the four years since his puppyhood he had lived the life of a sated aristocrat; he had a fine pride in himself, was even a trifle egotistical, as country gentlemen sometimes become because of their insular situation. But he had saved himself by not becoming a mere pampered house-dog. Hunting and kindred outdoor delights had kept down the fat and hardened his muscles; and to him, as to the cold-tubbing races, the love of water had been a tonic and a health preserver.

And this was the manner of dog Buck was in the fall of 1897, when the Klondike strike dragged men from all the world into the frozen North. But Buck did not read the newspapers, and he did not know that Manuel, one of the gardener’s helpers, was an undesirable acquaintance. Manuel had one besetting sin. He loved to play Chinese lottery. Also, in his gambling, he had one besetting weakness—faith in a system; and this made his damnation certain. For to play a system requires money, while the wages of a gardener’s helper do not lap over the needs of a wife and numerous progeny.

The Judge was at a meeting of the Raisin Growers’ Association, and the boys were busy organizing an athletic club, on the memorable night of Manuel’s treachery. No one saw him and Buck go off through the orchard on what Buck imagined was merely a stroll. And with the exception of a solitary man, no one saw them arrive at the little flag station known as College Park. This man talked with Manuel, and money chinked between them.

You might wrap up the goods before you deliver ‘m, the stranger said gruffly, and Manuel doubled a piece of stout rope around Buck’s neck under the collar.

Twist it, an’ you’ll choke ‘m plentee, said Manuel, and the stranger grunted a ready affirmative.

Buck had accepted the rope with quiet dignity. To be sure, it was an unwonted performance: but he had learned to trust in men he knew, and to give them credit for a wisdom that outreached his own. But when the ends of the rope were placed in the stranger’s hands, he growled menacingly. He had merely intimated his displeasure, in his pride believing that to intimate was to command. But to his surprise the rope tightened around his neck, shutting off his breath. In quick rage he sprang at the man, who met him halfway, grappled him close by the throat, and with a deft twist threw him over on his back. Then the rope tightened mercilessly, while Buck struggled in a fury, his tongue lolling out of his mouth and his great chest panting futilely. Never in all his life had he been so vilely treated, and never in all his life had he been so angry. But his strength ebbed, his eyes glazed, and he knew nothing when the train was flagged and the two men threw him into the baggage car.

The next he knew, he was dimly aware that his tongue was hurting and that he was being jolted along in some kind of a conveyance. The hoarse shriek of a locomotive whistling a crossing told him where he was. He had travelled too often with the Judge not to know the sensation of riding in a baggage car. He opened his eyes, and into them came the unbridled anger of a kidnapped king. The man sprang for his throat, but Buck was too quick for him. His jaws closed on the hand, nor did they relax till his senses were choked out of him once more.

Yep, has fits, the man said, hiding his mangled hand from the baggageman, who had been attracted by the sounds of struggle. I’m takin’ ‘m up for the boss to ‘Frisco. A crack dog-doctor there thinks that he can cure ‘m.

Concerning that night’s ride, the man spoke most eloquently for himself, in a little shed back of a saloon on the San Francisco water front.

All I get is fifty for it, he grumbled; an’ I wouldn’t do it over for a thousand, cold cash.

His hand was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief, and the right trouser leg was ripped from knee to ankle.

How much did the other mug get? the saloon-keeper demanded.

A hundred, was the reply. Wouldn’t take a sou less, so help me.

That makes a hundred and fifty, the saloon-keeper calculated; and he’s worth it, or I’m a squarehead.

The kidnapper undid the bloody wrappings and looked at his lacerated hand. If I don’t get the hydrophoby—

It’ll be because you was born to hang, laughed the saloon-keeper. Here, lend me a hand before you pull your freight, he added.

Dazed, suffering intolerable pain from throat and tongue, with the life half throttled out of him, Buck attempted to face his tormentors. But he was thrown down and choked repeatedly, till they succeeded in filing the heavy brass collar from off his neck. Then the rope was removed, and he was flung into a cagelike crate.

There he lay for the remainder of the weary night, nursing his wrath and wounded pride. He could not understand what it all meant. What did they want with him, these strange men? Why were they keeping him pent up in this narrow crate? He did not know why, but he felt oppressed by the vague sense of impending calamity. Several times during the night he sprang to his feet when the shed door rattled open, expecting to see the Judge, or the boys at least. But each time it was the bulging face of the saloon-keeper that peered in at him by the sickly light of a tallow candle. And each time the joyful bark that trembled in Buck’s throat was twisted into a savage growl.

But the saloon-keeper let him alone, and in the

Reviews for The Call of the Wild

[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.

[liciasings · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this story. The writing was clever and well-crafted, the dog's story was interesting, and the themes of the power of instinct and love - in nature and in between a human and an animal - this was all well-done. It was a very different book from what I usually read. The voices and the characters are all male; the story seems to be targeted at young men or boys. It certainly wasn't a favourite. Even so, it is hard to deny that this is a classic, and I am glad I took the time to read it.

[kakadoo202 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

being a cat person it might have been a mistake to read a book about a dog. the dog was terrorized by a man in a red sweater? i thought dogs cannot see red. and do dogs really think so much? and fight ti dead to lead a sledge? not sure why this is a classic.

[thelesley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this with my husband. I dont like the racial undertones in Jack london's work. That aside, i wasnt all bad. My husband liked it. Of course he likes anything natureish

[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.

[nathan7c7moore · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those books that I might have read before and forgotten about it. This was a pretty good book, I think my favorite part was that I picked up a new vocabulary word because the author over used it... "virility."

[bkmeredith · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was okay. That's all.

I was expecting a bit more really. so much happens in the book but it's glossed over pretty quickly each time and then something new comes along. The characters are all fairly vague so you don't really care when they pass out of the story.

It was short but I was more than ready for it to end. Not a bad book but just not one I was drawn in by.

[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.

[kayceel_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I reread this recently in preparation for a book discussion (which was cancelled, unfortunately), but I found I'd remembered a lot from my first reading back in middle school (oh, roughly 20 yrs ago...).Buck, a family pet, is stolen during the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890s and sold as a sled dog, a role to which Buck finds himself taking well, despite the brutality he faces from evil humans to fellow dogs to the brutal cold environment.London writes from Buck's point-of-view, and in doing so, emphasizes action and instinct, rather than introspective thought, making this story a rough read but fascinating.Recommended for ages 12 and up (younger kids may have trouble with London's writing and the vernacular of some of the human characters).

[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.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am not a “dog person” and did not expect to like this classic tale, but I’m really glad I read this when I did. My father was a great outdoorsman and he loved animals, but especially our dogs. I listened to the first half on audio, but then finished by reading the actual book. This last half is when Buck, a St Bernard / Shepherd mix has finally found a man he loves and who loves him. They respect one another, and the hierarchy of the camp, but Buck is increasingly called to the wild. The writing is vivid – you can feel the cold, or the pain of hunger, or the joy of a Spring day. And Buck is a noble narrator. I re-read it today, remembering my father and our many dogs through the years.

[michaellopez_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Call of the Wild by Jack London was not the greatest book ever. The book deals with a sad events that has become common in our society such as dog fighting, dog theft, and dog slavery. The least appealing part of this stroy is the extreamly slow intro, once the stroy gets deeper it is much more interesting. This book is not for those who are interested in a sad book, many cruel and ruthless events take place and it shows the hard times Husky dogs in Alaska must go through. Near the end of the book it seems that the stroy kind of just wandered off into an interesting ending that did not make much sence compared to the rest of the book. This was an alright book but i would not highly recomend this book to someone else.

[jimocracy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yep... this is still a great book. I don't think I had read this since I was a kid but I still like it (especially the ending). Jack London always has courage to write his stories with a reality (no matter how unpleasant) rather than just writing shiny, happy stories.

[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.

[bridgey_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My third book by the author, and a possible reread (I remember some parts but not sure if I ever finished it).Basically the tale tells the life of Buck ( a Saint Bernard-Scotch shepherd dog) and the life he leads. At times harrowing, we follow Buck as he is stolen from a comfortable life and sold as a sledge dog. He rediscovers the primordial instinct for survival and endures all hardships put upon him. This includes being beaten by humans, driven to near death on the sledge and still having to fight for mastery over his fellows canines.Not exactly a light-hearted read with death on nearly every page, but an excellent representation of the attitudes of the early 20th century and the will to survive.Would I recommend it? Everytime.Would I reread it? One day.Am I glad I read it? Definitely

[laurajolin05 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book! It was an easy read and would be perfect for a Jr high reading level class. The story was easy to follow and I for one did not want to put the book down because I wanted to know more of what was going to happen to the animals in the story. That being said, it was easy to fall in love with most of the dogs as well as hate some of them. It's a great story of survival of the fitest! It shows a historical side by taking place during the gold rush and because dog sled teams used to be a popular method of travel.

[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.

[donnagalanti · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Both of these tales (White Fang & Call of the Wild), one of a civilized dog who embraces the wild after he is stolen and one of a wild dog tamed by the love of a man...are both masterpieces that embrace the animal and flawed humanity in man and the the beasts that show us so and brave so much. Both are raw, emotional tales told in sparse, beautiful language that gnaw at you long after you put them down. First read at age 12, and enjoyed again as much at 41.

[lovinglit · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story is written from the perspective of Buck, the dog. He is large, he is faithful and pragmatic, and he is kidnapped by a worker on the ranch he lives on, and sold to a trader who sends him north to run with a team dragging sleds. Poor Buck is mistreated, and faces a hard run. It is not just humans who are cruel to him, other dogs resent his size and presence, and battles for position as alpha male take place. The dog team are run to the ground, and Bucks saving grace is his size, strength and stamina. He is passed to and from inept and cruel owners until he finally meets an owner he can trust and bond with.It's a nice, if somewhat violent, story. Nothing too deep, but a read that carries you along.

[dandelionroots · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

These tales are so brutal."All the easy moral maxims of social life are tested - and most found wanting - in this ferocious landscape. This sometimes seems to be one of London's driving motives, as though his calling is to remind everyone of the chill below the warmth of our cozy social conventions." (Tobey Hiller)

[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.

[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.

[kdangleis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Call of The Wild by Jack London is a classic adventure story that resonates with YA readers. This story is told by an omniscient narrator, giving readers the information needed to quickly identify with the canine protagonist. YA readers are quickly plunged into the adventure as this well-kept dog finds himself being thrust into the wild. The excitement builds as London provides a series of events which lead to Buck’s transformation from domesticated to wild animal. This book is recommended for 12 years and up, and rightfully so. This adventure stands the test of time. It is a story that tweens, teens and adults can relate to and enjoy.

[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.

[she_climber · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I always thought I had read this but I guess I confused it with White Fang. Got it on audio to listen to with my daughter (11) on a long car ride and we loved it. The entire story is told from the point of view of Buck, a St. Bernard/German Shepherd mix, who ends up in the Alaskan wilderness and becomes a thing of legends. Now, to get White Fang.

[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.

[cassandrat-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It was ok. It's no White Fang.

[jenn.s · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a timeless classic that should be a must read for everyone. It's on the list of books my children will read and one of those I make sure the local library has a good copy of. The author knows what he's writing about and it shows as you read through a touching story about a dog growing up and the troubles he endures.

[gbev2008 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I never read this as a youngster though it seemed to be "unofficially required" reading in elementary school. I always assumed it was man and his dog story, but it turned out to be civilized dog returns to wilderness story told from the dog's point of view. And it worked well. Very well written and engaging.

[moonimal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have such a strong memory of reading this book in seventh grade - listening to my teacher talk about Buck, and paging through one of those hardbound school editions. After reading about this book on some literary blog, I re-read it in two nights while on a business trip, and loved it all over again.What to say?"An' dat Buck fight lak two hells," was Francios answer.