Jack London: A Life of Adventure (Library Binding)

~ (Author), Wayne Geehan (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A biography of the American novelist and short story writer who sought and wrote about adventure.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Troll Communications (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816725136
• ISBN-13: 978-0816725137
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,409,201 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A biography for school children, May 23, 2009

By	Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (LA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Why some books stay on the shelves and others are tossed into the used bins and even trash cans has puzzled me these four years I've worked as a children's librarian. This time I'm putting a book to the test. Should "Jack London: A Life of Adventure" stay on the shelf or be "weeded" as a book that has outlived its usefulness? Its publication date is 1992, certainly not an outdated time for the life of Jack London.

"Jack London" was written by Rae Bains and illustrated by Wayne Geehan for Troll Associates, a school publishing firm, directing it toward school libraries and school children. I checked the website for Troll, which no longer lists this book, but it is available from independent sellers on Amazon.

I googled Rae Bains, who wrote a number of titles for Troll, most of which my library owns, of historical people and events that children read about and study: Clara Barton, Robert E. Lee, Benito Juarez, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Gandhi, Babe Ruth, Discovering Electricity, and the Case of the Great Train Robbery. I didn't check their availability from Troll, but Amazon offers all of these titles at "used" prices from independent sellers. That means none is still being published!

Is this book under review accurate? Is it fair to the subject? As a student of Jack London, I can verify its veracity. Is it interesting? You bet! Even the worst of writers would have to fail in making Mr. London look dull. Are too many details given for the 8-12 audience. No, for example, London's experiences in one particular school he disliked. Eventually, he dropped out at age thirteen because the teacher could not control his class and was mean to the students. No details are given and none needed.

Rae Bains begins the narrative when London is age 20, standing at a ship's rail, having just signed on to sail to the Far North for a job and experiences there, then flashes back to his birth, and takes the story back to London's return from the frozen North. Upon his return, he wrote his first successful story, and his adventure in writing was launched.

Will this book serve as a suitable biography? Since it was written as an Easy Biography, yes, it is perfect for a third grade biography report. Its information is informative and brief (48 pages). Its only flaw is that there is no listing for London's books, except mention of the top three.

Next, I tested Amazon's offerings for Jack London biographies in the children's division. There are five books dating from 1999 to 2005 that can be purchased new, and seven others from independent sellers, including this biography under review, dating from 1988 to 2002. One lone wolf book, an import, is dated at 1961 and sells at $42.86 and above. The date for this book is 1996 (my copy is dated 1992).

I can only guess an "out with the old, in with the new," sort of philosophy. That keeps writers in business and publishers selling new books. This is the reason that make sense. As a librarian, I am happy with the trustworthy, reliable old book, but writers and publishers have other ideas! Besides, it would be nice to see a new biography of Jack London up there with the old one!