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The People of the Abyss Jack London

The People of the Abyss By Jack London

The People of the Abyss by Jack London


$30,99
Condition - Very Good
Only 3 left

Summary

London's masterpiece of investigative journalism

The People of the Abyss Summary

The People of the Abyss by Jack London

The People of the Abyss is a classic work about poverty and recounts the time the author spent in London. Born in San Francisco, he became a political activist and socialist at an early age. Written after posing as an American sailor stranded in the East End of London during 1902 - sleeping in doss houses, living with the destitute and starving - this is perhaps Jack London's most important work.

As well as being a literary masterpiece, The People of the Abyss stands as a major sociological study. While other American writers were blindly celebrating the glories of the British Empire at its peak, Jack London was asking why such misery was to be found in the heart of a capital city of immense wealth.

This is a work of reportage - London lets his observations speak for themselves. A precursor to the writings of George Orwell, this book remains a standard-bearer critique of capitalism, as powerful today as it was then.

The People of the Abyss Reviews

'Written with the smoldering anger of turn-of-the-century revolutionary socialism. An incredibly important and readable book, which reminds us of how economic exploitation must always be fought, that we must always be educated in the lives of the unfortunate' -- Jack London Journal
'During my youth I walked the streets of East London, following in the footsteps of Jack London. He brought back, so movingly to this young reader, the poverty and suffering as well as the laughter and tears manifest in the outcasts and dispossessed of our locale at that time. Together with the revelations of Charles Booth, G.R. Sims et al, that book helped shatter the smug composure of Edwardian England, as well as providing a transatlantic bestseller' -- Professor William J. Fishman, Queen Mary and Westfield College

About Jack London

Jack London (1876-1916) was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist. His first real literary success came in 1903 with The Call of the Wild, which became an immediate bestseller. With a passionate advocate of unionisation and socialism, he authored works of non-fiction, such as The People of the Abyss (Pluto, 2001) and short stories such as Revolution and other Essays (Pluto, 1991).

Table of Contents

Introduction
Preface
1. The Descent
2. Johnny Upright
3. My Lodging and Some Others
4. A Man and the Abyss
5. Those on the Edge
6. Frying-Pan Alley and a Glimpse of the Inferno
7. A Winner of the Victoria Cross
8. The Carter and the Carpenter
9. The Spike
10. Carrying the Banner
11. The Peg
12. Coronation Day
13. Dan Cullen, Docker
14. Hops and Hoppers
15. The Sea Wife
16. Property Versus Person
17. Inefficiency
18. Wages
19. The Ghetto
20. Coffee-Houses and Doss-Houses
21. The Precariousness of Life
22. Suicide
23. The Children
24. A Vision of the Night
25. The Hunger Wall
26. Drink, Temperance, and Thrift
27. The Management

Additional information

GOR001233233
9780745318028
0745318029
The People of the Abyss by Jack London
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Pluto Press
20010920
192
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - The People of the Abyss