Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush

Gr 4–8—For generations, tales of gold rush days and Alaskan or Arctic exploits have been popular, and no one told them better than Jack London. Attempting to live up to that spirit is Lourie's title about London's trip to the Klondike in search of gold just before the end of the 19th century. This book focuses primarily on the hardships and adventures London faced, fleshing out details with historical background on the gold rush and the miners, otherwise known as "stampeders." There are quick forays into London's life as a boy and as a writer. The text is occasionally stilted but effectively balances fact, lesson, and suspense. An epilogue offers more historical information about what happened to London, other miners, and the Yukon in general. In the back matter, the author covers additional topics and concepts. For instance, he clearly identifies "wilderness" as a cultural construct of white settlers and not a reflection on the many First Nations people who lived there before white settlers and still live there today. However, Lourie also acknowledges that he has taken a "few liberties" in regard to London's experiences but does not go into specifics. The volume is illustrated with a combination of historical photos, reproductions of historical documents, and Minor's black-and-white drawings. The frequent images and artwork provide visual interest, especially when it comes to depicting the harsh environment and the sheer number of people packed onto the trails.