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The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild
Author: Jack London
This is one of the greatest adventure stories ever written===the story of the Alaskan frontier, when the glitter of new-found gold lured desperate men into the frozen wilds. Those men needed dogs--strong to pull their heavy sleds, dogs with the will to die in the harness. Buck was such a dog. ...But the savagery of the frontier woke the primitiv...  more »
ISBN: 286589
Publication Date: 1959
Pages: 102
Rating:
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Publisher: Pocket Books, Inc.
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
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reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Unlike so many of the great dog books, including Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows, the main dog in this story, Buck, does not just drop dead after a valiant fight in the last chapter. Instead, the book follows Buck's adventures in the Alaskan Yukon, where he learns to survive and thrive among other dogs, wild animals, and people. This is a survival story where the reader experiences Buck's human-like emotional spectrum. Buck does not consider himself a hero, nor does anyone view him that way. The reader, nevertheless, will root for him every step of the way during his difficult treks across Alaska. He outlives the animals around him because of his ability to quickly learn the "law of club and fang" and to learn what is worth fighting for and how to stage his battles. This book is a reminder that, ultimately, the laws of nature prevail over the cruelty that humans bring into this world.
drhnet avatar reviewed The Call of the Wild on
Helpful Score: 1
This book is one that all children should read. It details the life of an Alaskian Sled dog/wolf and his trials and tribulations. It was one of the best books that I have read in a while. I was surprised.
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reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 29 more book reviews
I love this story. A definite keeper on my shelf. Classic LOndon book.
terez93 avatar reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 273 more book reviews
This is another in a box of old books I came across recently, which I haven't read in decades, and I thought I would give them another once-over before I pass them on to new homes for new generations of readers to enjoy. This was also another I purchased from the Scholastic Book Club, although, having read it on several occasions previously, I'm always a little surprised that it's marketed as a book for children. Yes, it's about a dog, sort of, as the people in the lives of Jack London's animal characters are as significant as their four-legged co-stars, but the brutality of much of his writing seems a bit beyond what I would recommend for children.

That said, some of my earliest memories of living in the San Francisco Bay area were of trips to Jack London Square, so it's not surprising that I've read many of his books, even in childhood. Most of the things I read under about age ten were "animal stories" in any event, mostly horse stories, which I still love. London was something of a radical, part of the literary group "The Crowd" in always-hip San Francisco, who, in addition to the more rugged, outdoors-oriented novels that brought him worldwide acclaim, he also wrote several dystopic novels and stories, including The Iron Heel and non-fiction works such as The War of the Classes.

The Call of the Wild, arguably one of his more famous adventure novels (which is somewhat surprising, considering that he became more well-known for his science fiction), started life as a serial published in the Saturday Evening Post in 1903. It was later published in book form, although the book is fairly short. It's since made the rounds on celluloid as well, having endured several theatrical renditions, but none as successful as the novel. London hit upon the idea after spending a year in the Yukon, so he probably witnessed many of the events described in the book first hand, as one who endured the harshness of that unforgiving land, which carried off many soft Southlanders, man and beast. He reportedly stated on one occasion, "it was in the Klondike that I found myself," including at his residence in a temporary encampment where he holed up all winter, reading the likes of Charles Darwin and John Milton. After an illness, however, he decided to return to California, by rafting 2,000 miles down the Yukon River.

The primary character is the 140-pound St. Bernard cross, Buck, who was stolen from his owner, Judge Miller, in California's Santa Clara Valley, by the gardener, who sells him to a broker, who first takes him to Seattle and then to the Yukon territory of Canada. Brutalized from the outset, this unfortunate pup shortly learns the law of kill or be killed, and, there's a lot of killing in this story, which is often billed as a children's book, more for the length than the content. There's a veritable parade of characters, both man and dog, in the book, which include Buck's fellow sled dogs, and a succession of owners and drivers. When his last beloved master is killed, Buck heads off into the wild, forsaking human contact forever to take up with a pack of wild wolves. It's narrated from the dog's point of view, though not in the first person, unlike stories such as Black Beauty, another highly successful, realistic portrait of the plight animals in the late 19th century.

Buck was reportedly based on an actual St. Bernard crossbred, owned by friends of London's who lived in Dawson City. There is an actual surviving picture of the dog, taken during London's stay in 1897, so if you're really invested, you can see the real Buck, which is now housed at the Beinecke Library at Yale. Although not one of my favorite adventure stories, it's a quick and entertaining read, although many will doubtlessly find the incessant incidences of animal abuse disheartening.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 552 more book reviews
Annotation
The adventures of an unusual dog, part St. Bernard, part Scotch shepherd, forcibly taken to the Klondike gold fields where he eventually becomes the leader of a wolf pack.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 16 more book reviews
My son loved this book so much that he finished it in 2 days. He's 12.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 7 more book reviews
i thought the book was a pretty good book but it had its sad parts like most good books. whoever gets this book will get a win.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 32 more book reviews
Illustrated Classics Edition- specially adapted for young readers with illustrations. My son loved this so much!
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 62 more book reviews
one of my favorite stories growing up excellent!
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 6 more book reviews
A classic!
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 56 more book reviews
A classic....
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 5 more book reviews
A favorite of the whole family.
Alameda avatar reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 336 more book reviews
Jack London - what else is there to say!

Classic -
pindari avatar reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 38 more book reviews
How does one lowly reader review such a classic? I loved it of course, I wanted to save Buck so many times - and was so happy at his freedom.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 3 more book reviews
This book was chosen by my book club for this month's selection. I did not read this when I was in school, but I'm really glad I finally did. This is a wonderful tale of a dog named Buck who is stolen, sold and taking to the Yukon. It tells of his hardships and how he learns to survive and love. This is definitely will be one of my all time favorite classics.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 20 more book reviews
Each member of my family has enjoyed this book. A timeless classic.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 8 more book reviews
Summary:
The moving story of a proud dog who escapes captivity to become the leader of a wolf pack. Buck is a dog born to luxury, but betrayed and sold to be a sledge dog in the the harsh and frozen Yukon. This is the remarkable story of how Buck rises above his enemies to become one of the most feared and admired dogs in the north.

Review:
This is an excellent book of courage. Highly recommended.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 193 more book reviews
The Call of the Wild is the story of the unbreakable spirit and the unflagging fortitude of the canine hero, Buck. He began life as a big, beloved suburban dog, but one night he was stolen and sold to assist with the Alaskan gold rush. Told through the eyes and emotions of Buck, we follow his journey from city life to wild life. It's a poignant tale of sadness, triumph, and longing. In it we see Buck overcome many obstacles and achieve glory in his world. In this classic tale by Jack London, listeners will surely cry and thrill with each step in the adventure as Buck hears the call of the wild. (inside of cover)
bvilleborn avatar reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 31 more book reviews
Dogs, Alaska, gold-rush, and well written. This is a classic.
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 36 more book reviews
this is a smaller version of the classic! Great for young readers!
reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 2 more book reviews
This is a children's classic version. It is not the full version of the book. I did not feel this was adequately displayed via the picture nor description.
jjares avatar reviewed The Call of the Wild on + 3242 more book reviews
This year, I decided to concentrate on the classics, thus, CALL OF THE WILD. This book is meant for 8-10-year-olds. I was stunned by the violence in the story. I'm sorry to admit that I skip-read over some of the violent parts. Our family has always had multiple dogs in our home and I grieved for Buck. I had a hard time with this story.

I've read extensively about the Klondike rush and life in Alaska (in general) and feel that the life that Jack London portrays is accurate. I've read a lot about the annual Iditarod races. However, in those races, the animals are prized and well-cared for. The world Jack London tells about is different. I have no doubt that his portrayal is true, but I grieved over the story, nonetheless. This is an exciting, fast-paced story that will appeal to many. I would be careful about whom I might recommend this story to; it is definitely not for the tender-hearted.

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