Jack London took his place in American literature at the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time, the library shelves and bookshops of America were already full of books by well-known authors.

But Jack London’s stories were new stories: his heroes were not like heroes in books by famous authors, and the pictures he painted were not the same as their pictures. The men in his books live a difficult life, a life full of danger.

In the terrible world that Jack London shows us in his stories, a man who makes even the smallest mistake must fall and die in the snow. But his people are afraid of nothing, and nothing can stop them.

People in books by London never lose hope: they never stop fighting for life, even when the end seems near. That is the lesson every man and woman must learn – that in everything we want and everything we do, if we do not lose hope, we must and will win.

Jack London. The Biography (part 1)

Jack London’s credo

I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them, I shall use my time.»

– Jack London 1876-1916

Кредо Джека Лондона (в переводе на русский язык)
Я предпочел бы гореть ярким пламенем, а не задыхаться от пыли. Я бы предпочел быть сверкающим метеором, а не спящей и вечной планетой. Человек должен жить, а не существовать. Я не собираюсь тратить свои дни, пытаясь продлить свое существование. Я тороплюсь ЖИТЬ!

Jack London’s life was not easy. And it was not long – he lived less than forty years. But he saw more and did more during those years than many other men see and do in almost a century.

Jack London was born in San Francisco, California, in 1876. His father was poor, and there were many other children in the family. They always needed money, and Jack, who was older than the other children, had to help as much as he could. When he was only eight years old, he was already selling newspapers and going to school at the same time. But after a few years, he had to leave school and go to work.

Like many other poor boys in California, he found work on the ships that went from America to the countries of the East, and to the islands of the South Seas. There he saw wonderful places: beautiful green islands in the endless blue sea, and high mountains that threw red fire into the black night sky. But the ships paid boys very little, and when Jack came back to California he had almost northing.

So he left home again, this time to look for work in the big cities of the United States, and in the great forests and on the great lakes and rivers of Canada. He never had a day’s rest and he worked from morning to night. But when the day’s work was over, he listens to the men’s jokes and their conversations about places and people, about workers and revolution.

When he came home again, Jack London was full of a new idea. He was going to become a writer. “I have been to such wonderful places and I have heard such interesting stories,” he thought. “I am sure they will be interesting to other people too.”

But to his surprise, when he tried to write, he couldn’t make the words tell the stories. His language was poor and it was full of mistakes, because he did not know grammar. “I never learned English,” he thought, “because I couldn’t go to school. But why can’t I go to school now? The pupils will be surprised when they see somebody so much older in the class room. But I’ll be ashamed when I can’t pronounce difficult words. But my memory isn’t bad, and if they can study physics and mathematics and biology, I can too. And I’ll learn English together with science!”

And he did! He learned from his teachers and from other pupils, but most of all, he learned from books. He read all the books on the shelves of the school library and the city library. He read all afternoon, and he sat half the night with a book or a textbook in front of him and a large dictionary at his side. As he read novels by well-known authors, he tried to notice the words they used and how they used them: he tried to discover the secrets of their art.

If you study English, find in the text and read aloud:
a) the sentences in the text about the places that Jack London visited:
b) the sentences that explain what is new in his stories:

* * *

Jack London. The Biography (part 2)

«I haven’t enough time to learn so slowly.»

Pupils went to high school for two years, but Jack London finished high school in three months. He even went to college for a short time, but then he decided not to continue. “I haven’t enough money to study,” he thought, “And I haven’t enough time to learn so slowly. I have always learned more from great thinkers than from lectures at college.”

Day after day, month after month, he wrote: short stories, poems, plays. But nobody noticed him: the magazines refused to publish his works. At first, Jack was helpless and angry, but then he said:” Perhaps they are right. I haven’t yet become a writer. But I haven’t lost this fight – no, I am only beginning.” Often he had no money, and he had to stop writing and look for work. But soon as he had some money, he stopped working and began to write again.

In 1896, when Jack London was twenty years old, gold was discovered in Alaska. The whole world suddenly became interested in this cold country, where almost nobody lived. Men who usually never went near a library began to go there, to study maps of the “new” country, its history and geography.

There were thousands and even millions of men in America who thought of Alaska, who wanted to go
there, but who could not decide to leave their homes in the south. Jack London was not one of them. He bought a ticket on the first ship to the North. He wanted to see the life of the thousands of men who came to look for gold in the mountains and rivers. Perhaps only a few could find gold, but they all hoped to be the lucky man.

Like the other men who came to Alaska, Jack hadn’t enough food, and he had no vegetables or fruit. At first, he didn’t think about what he was eating, and he refused to think that he was not well. But at last he became seriously ill, and he had to come back home to San Francisco.

He came back without gold, but with something better the yellow metal: in his memory was the whole rich world of the Far North. His life there, his conversations with people he met and the stories they told him were enough for a whole library of books. He remembered everything, and now he knew how to write!

He began again. When he was twenty three, a small magazine agreed to publish his stories: soon, well-known, important magazines invited him to write for them.

Who can say why a writer becomes popular? At the end of the 19 th century, book usually told about gentlemen in high hats and ladies in beautiful clothes, who always used the best language when they spoke. Jack London’s stories were about men who fought with animals and each other, who lived for months without daylight, and then for months without night, men who were left in the endless snow-fields until the wolves came….

Many ladies and gentlemen said: “This is not art!” But there were thousands and thousands who were afraid to know what happened to men in those terrible places, who understand and loved London’s books.

Jack London loved people and was sure that the man is strong and better than anything in the world.

If you study English,
a) try to say what you have learnt about Jack London, his books and his characters
b) say if you like Jack London and why

Джек Лондон биография на английском языке представлена в этой статье.

Джек Лондон краткая биография на английском

The iconic American novelist, short story writer, journalist and social activist, Jack London is best known for writing Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang. Jack was born in San Francisco, California on January 12, 1876. It is not known for sure whether his parents Flora Wellman and William Henry Chaney were married. But after Chaney left Flora, she married John London who gave Jack his last name. Flora’s second marriage also gave jack two half sisters, Eliza and Ida. The family moved several times before finally settling in Oakland where Jack completed grade school. Living in a working class family with a low income, Jack was forced to contribute to the family income by selling newspapers at the age of 10.

Despite living in a crude environment, fighting to survive every day, London was an ambitious young man, always enthusiastic about his future. He was very fond of reading and writing. Discovering a library in Oakland, London engrossed himself in the exploration of literature. He labored at various jobs such as working as a cannery and a jute mill, and also worked as a window-washer, watchman, and longshoreman. Also at an early age, London learned to sail and bought himself a sloop from borrowed money and worked as an Oyster Pirate in the Bay. But when his own sloop was robbed, London set off to become a beggar. His days as a tramp gave London a deep insight into class systems and human behavior. London soon realized he wanted a better life for himself and upon returning to California he went to Oakland high school and later entered the University of California at Berkeley. However, he dropped out before finishing due to shortage of finances.

For quite long a time, London had also been busy writing while studying and working. His first story, Typhoon Off the Coast of Japan (1893) was written while he was on the sloop off the coasts of Siberia and Japan. London began taking writing seriously and begun a successful career as a writer. London joined the Socialist Labour Party in 1896. His socialist views are evident in his writings such as The Iron Heel (1908). In 1987 London left for the Klondike during the Gold Rush. He did not find any gold, instead got sick with scurvy. During that painful winter, London wrote To Build a Fire. His writings also made way to significant magazines such as the Overland Monthly and The Atlantic Monthly.

Back in Oakland, London married Bess Maddern on April 7, 1900. The couple had two daughters Joan and Bess. Four years later, London and Bess divorced. London’s second marriage was to Charmian Kittredge. Also in 1900, London’s first book, The Son of the Wolf was published followed by other works; The God of His Fathers (1901), A Daughter of the Snows (1902), The Children of the Frost (1902), The Cruise of the Dazzler (1902) and The People of the Abyss (1903). Around the same time London met Anna Strunsky, who would become a lifelong friend and also his writing partner for The Kempton-Wace Letters (1903).

Some more works to follow during London’s prolific writing career include The Faith of Men (1904), The Sea Wolf (1904), The Game (1905) was followed by War of the Classes(1905), Tales of the Fish-Patrol (1905), Moon Face and Other Stories (1906), Scorn of Women (1906), Before Adam (1907), Love of Life and Other Stories (1907), and The Road(1907). London continued to write productively until his death on November 22, 1916 at his ranch which has now become the Jack London State Historical Park.

Джек Лондон. Рассказы этого писателя не нуждаются в рекламе. Джек Лондон — самый любимый в России американский автор., которые вы найдете ниже, я с трудом смогла отобрать среди огромного множества его произведений. Джек Лондон написал более 200 рассказов. И все рассказы интересные. Итак, Вашему вниманию предлагаем читать и слушать лучшие рассказы, которые размещены на английских и американских официальных сайтах и озвучены профессиональными дикторами. Рассказы делятся по уровню сложности. Изучайте английский с Джеком Лондоном!

Jack London is famous all over the world. And he is still the most popular writer in Russia. His stories are about life and death, courage and cowardice, love and treachery. He wrote more than 200 stories. All of them are great, it was difficult to find the most thrilling ones. Enjoy reading

I. Уровень pre-intermediate (читать, слушать, текст адаптирован)

1. Jack London. To build a Fire (in English, adapted, level pre-intermediate)

He travels fastest who travels alone . . . but not after the frost has dropped below zero fifty degrees or more.

The man walked down the trail on a cold, gray day. Pure white snow and ice covered the Earth for as far as he could see. This was his first winter in Alaska. He was wearing heavy clothes and fur boots. But he still felt cold and uncomfortable.

The man was on his way to a camp near Henderson Creek (ручей Гендерсона). His friends were already there. He expected to reach Henderson Creek by six o’clock that evening. It would be dark by then. His friends would have a fire and hot food ready for him.

2. The Story of Keesh (in English, adapted, level pre-intermediate )

Keesh lived at the edge of the polar sea. He had seen thirteen suns in the Eskimo way of keeping time. Among the Eskimos, the sun each winter leaves the land in darkness. And the next year, a new sun returns, so it might be warm again.

The father of Keesh had been a brave man. But he had died hunting for food. Keesh was his only son. Keesh lived along with his mother, Ikeega.

One night, the village council met in the big igloo of Klosh-kwan, the chief. Keesh was there with the others. He listened, then waited for silence.

The story «Keesh» (read and listen online)

3. The Law of Life (in English, adapted, level pre-intermediate)

The old Indian was sitting in the snow. It was Koskoosh, former chief of his tribe. Now, all he could do was sit and listen to the others. His eyes were old. He could not see, but his ears were wide open to every sound.

“Aha.” That was the sound of his daughter, Sit-cum-to-ha. She was beating the dogs, trying to make them stand in front of the snow sleds. He was forgotten by her, and by the others, too. They had to look for new hunting grounds. The long, snowy ride waited. The days of the northlands were growing short. The tribe could not wait for death. Koskoosh was dying.

4. The Apostate (in English, adapted, level pre-intermediate)

«If you don’t get up, Johnny, I won’t give you to eat!»

The boy didn’t move and his mother shook him by the shoulder. She was a sad tired woman, and every morning she came and tried to pull the bed-clothes off the boy but he held them tight.

«Leave me alone!» he protested. But she continued waking him up. When he felt the cold of the room, his eyes opened. And he gave up.

«All right,» he said.

She took the lamp and left him in darkness. He did not mind the darkness. He put on his clothes and went out into the kitchen, pulled a chair to the table and sat down.

5. The God of His Fathers (in English, adapted, level pre-intermediate )

Texts for topics - Мегазбірка тем по английскому языку
GREAT WRITERS OF THE WORLD

MY FAVOURITE WRITER: JACK LONDON (1876-1916)

To begin with I have to admit that i"m fond of reading. I have been doing regular reading since my childhood. I liked to read books about the history of our country, about famous people and adventures. Literature means much in my life. It helps to form the character and the world outlook, to understand better life. Books teach us to be honest, modest, and courageous. They help us to feel compassion for weak people.

Jack London became my favourite writer from his first books i"d read. It was his novel "Martin Iden". First of all I got interested in Jack London as a personality. His life story struck me not less than his works. What a man! He was strong and talented. He lived a life of adventures and hardships. So he knew what he was writing about. In his novel "Martin Iden" he describes his biography. What a hard life he lived!

Jack London was born in San Francisco in 1876. From his childhood he suffered greatly. He changed a lot of jobs: selling out newspapers, working at the factory. He hated that kind of job, which exhausted people and made them suffer physically and morally.

Young Jack had no opportunity to go to school. So he studied privately reading much at night.

When gold was found in Alaska, Jack London joined the gold rush. He returned home without gold but with rich impressions about people with whom he met and made friends. They became the prototypes of his heroes.

That is why it is so interesting to read his novels "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang". His heroes are bright личностей. They are physically strong and enduring people. They try to find a way out from the most difficult situations. They fight and survive.

The very first story "The Love of Life" caught my fancy. I was struck by the will of a sick man who found himself alone, side by side with a wolf. Both the man and the wolf were sick and weak. And each of them was waiting for the other to grow still weaker and faint. The man won. While reading the story I admired the courage and human spirit of the hero.

The story "Brown Wolf" is not less interesting. It"s about a dog and his devotion to people.

Later I read more novels and stories by Jack London. My fondness of Jack London, the greatest American writer, will stay with me all my life.

VOCABULARY

adventure [əd"ventʃə] - приключение

world outlook ["autluk] - мировоззрение

compassion - сожаление, жалость, сочувствие

hardship ["ha:dʃɪp] - нужда, нищета, нужда

to exhaust [ɪg"zɔ:st] - истощать, исчерпывать; опустошать

to suffer ["sʌfə] - страдать

enduring [ɪn"djuərɪŋ] - выносливый

to survive - выжить, остаться в живых, уцелеть

to faint - слабеть (от голода и т.п.), терять сознание, упасть в обморок

to admire [əd"maɪə] - восхищаться; любоваться

devotion - преданность, верность

QUESTIONS

1. Why are you fond of reading?

2. Why is it necessary to read a lot?

3. What kinds of books do you like to read?

4. What is your favourite book ?

5. Шго is your favourite writer?

6. Do you know many of his/her books?

7. What do his/her books teach you ?

8. Do you know your favourite writer"s biography?

9. Why is he/she so famous?

Мой любимый писатель Джек Лондон (1876-1916)

Прежде всего мне придется признать, что я очень люблю читать. Я постоянно читал с детства. Мне нравилось читать книги об истории нашей страны, о знаменитых людях, а также я любил приключенческую литературу. Литература много значит в моей жизни. Она формирует мой характер и мировоззрение, помогает лучше понять жизнь. Книги учат нас быть честными, скромными и отважными, выражать сочувствие к слабым людям.

Джек Лондон стал моим любимым писателем с первого его романа, который я прочитал. Это было произведение «Мартин иден». Я сразу заинтересовался Джеком Лондоном как личностью. Его жизненная история поразила меня не менее, чем его произведения. Какая прекрасная человек! Он был сильный и талантливый. Его жизнь была полна приключений и тяжелых испытаний. Итак, он знал, о чем пишет. Роман «Мартин Иден» в значительной мере автобиографический. Как тяжела жизнь у него была!

Джек Лондон родился в Сан-Франциско в 1876 году. С детства он испытал немало лишений: сменил много работ, чтобы выжить, продавал газеты, работал на фабрике, - и возненавидел ту работу, которая истощает людей и заставляет их страдать физически и морально.

Мальчик не имел возможности учиться в школе. Следовательно, он учился самостоятельно, много читая ночью.

Когда на Аляске было найдено золото, Джек Лондон присоединился к тем, кого поразила золотая лихорадка. Он вернулся домой без золота, но с богатыми впечатлениями о людях, которых он встретил и с которыми подружился. Они стали прототипами его героев.

Вот почему так интересно читать его романы «Зов предков» и «Белый Клык». Его герои - это яркие лица. Они физически сильные и выносливые люди. Они пытаются найти выход из самых сложных ситуаций. Они борются и выживают.

Самый первый рассказ, который я прочитал, было «Жажда жизни». Я был поражен волей больного мужа, который оказался один рядом с волком. Как мужчина, так и волк были больные и слабые. И каждый из них ждал, что другой станет еще слабее и потеряет сознание. Победу одержала человек. Когда я читал цс рассказ, я восхищался отвагой и человеческим духом героя.

Рассказ «Бурый Волк» не менее интересное. Оно про собаку и его преданность людям.

Позже я читал романы и другие рассказы Джека Лондона. Моя любовь к этому крупнейшего американского писателя останется со мной на всю жизнь.

The novelist and short-story writer Jack London was, in his lifetime, one of the most popular authors in the world. After World War I his fame was eclipsed in the United States by a new generation of writers, but he remained popular in many other countries, especially in the Soviet Union, for his romantic tales of adventure mixed with elemental struggles for survival.

John Griffith London was born in San Francisco on January 12, 1876. His family was poor, and he was forced to go to work early in life to support himself. At 17 he sailed to Japan and Siberia on a seal-hunting voyage. He was largely self-taught, reading voluminously in libraries and spending a year at the University of California. In the late 1890s he joined the gold rush to the Klondike. This experience gave him material for his first book, "The Son of Wolf", published in 1900, and for "Call of the Wild" (1903), one of his most popular stories.

In his writing career of 17 years, London produced 50 books and many short stories. He wrote mostly for money, to meet ever-increasing expenses. His fame as a writer gave him a ready audience as a spokesman for a peculiar and inconsistent blend of socialism and racial superiority.
London"s works, all hastily written, are of uneven quality. The best books are the Klondike tales, which also include "White Fang" (1906) and "Burning Daylight" (1910). His most enduring novel is probably the autobiographical "Martin Eden" (1909), but the exciting "Sea Wolf" (1904) continues to have great appeal for young readers.

In 1910 London settled near Glen Ellen, California, where he intended to build his dream home, "Wolf House." After the house burned down before completion in 1913, he was a broken and sick man. His death on November 22, 1916, from an overdose of drugs, was probably a suicide.