White Fang

6C Jack London. New York: The Macmillan Co.,1906. First Edition, First Issue

Description

White Fang, published in 1906, is one of Jack London’s most enduring novels and is often seen as a companion piece to The Call of the Wild. Where Call of the Wild traces a domesticated dog’s return to the wild, White Fang reverses the journey, following a wolf-dog as he moves from brutal wilderness survival toward civilization and human companionship. Set during the Klondike Gold Rush, the novel draws heavily on London’s own experiences in the Yukon, and its stark depictions of violence, hunger, and dominance reflect his belief that life—human or animal—is shaped by environment, instinct, and the struggle for survival.

Jack London was one of the most popular and prolific writers of his time, and White Fang exemplifies his blend of adventure storytelling with philosophical naturalism. London was deeply influenced by Darwinism and socialism, and these ideas surface in the novel’s exploration of power, cruelty, and the possibility of moral growth. Unlike many adventure stories of the era, White Fang ultimately moves toward hope, suggesting that kindness and stability can temper even the harshest beginnings. The book was an immediate success and has remained continuously in print, cementing both White Fang and Jack London’s reputation as central figures in American literary realism and adventure fiction.

Notes

Sage green binding with image and white lettering to upper board. Gilt lettering to spine. Slight cocking to spine. Illustrated. Fully intact. Fine condition overall.