Jack London is an American original, a self-taught writer whose life was almost as interesting as his fiction. He is best known for his tales of adventure in the North, such as The Call of the Wild and White Fang, but his literary achievement encompasses much more, from the autobiographical masterpiece Martin Eden to short fiction set everywhere from the Arctic Circle to the South Seas. He is one of the few writers both beloved by students and admired by scholars.

Critical Companion to Jack London is a comprehensive reference to the life and works of this prolific author as well as some of the themes that can be found in his writing.