The social writings of Jack London / edited, with an introduction, by Philip S. Foner.

Originally published in 1947 as Jack London, American rebel.

Selections from My Life in the Underworld include: A Reminiscence and a Confession, Holding Her Down, Pinches, and The Pen.

Selections from The People of the Abyss include: The Descent, Those on the Edge, The Carter and the Carpenter, Carrying the Banner, and The Management.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 557-560).

Fiction. The iron heel -- The apostate -- The dream of Debs -- South of the slot -- The strength of the strong -- In the laundry --

Autobiographical writings. In the powerhouse: A selection from John Barleycorn -- Tramp Days: Selections from My Life in the Underworld -- How I became a socialist -- In the London slums: Selections from The People of the Abyss -- What life means to me --

Newspaper articles. Explanation of the great socialist vote of 1904 -- Something rotten in Ohio -- Strike methods: American and Australian --

Essays. What communities lose by the competitive system -- Wanted: a new law of development -- The class struggle -- The scab -- The tramp -- Revolution --

Reviews and comments. "The octopus" -- "Foma Gordyeeff" -- "The jungle" -- Introduction to "the cry for justice".

"Jack London's adventure novels and stories made him one of America's most popular writers. Yet few of his readers are aware of the role he played as a social critic and spokesman for the oppressed - even though he was at one time the American Socialist best known outside the United States. In this volume the noted biographer and historian Philip S. Foner has brought together works which have long been out of print or never before presented in book form. Here are the fiction, autobiographical writings, newspaper articles, essays, reviews, and comments which prompted Upton Sinclair to name London "one of the greatest revolutionary figures in our history." Dr. Foner's 130-page biography throws new light on London's life and work. Beginning with a vivid picture of London's working-class background, with its frequent struggles against starvation and cruel exploitation, it follows London through his experiences as cannery worker, oyster pirate, and hobo, to his success and world-wide recognition. Dr. Foner evaluates London's philosophy, pointing out the contributions he made to the labor and Socialist movements of his day as well as the weaknesses and defects in his thinking." -- From the book jacket.