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Jack London’s ability to tell riveting stories is legendary. He penned 45 books from 1903 through 1916 and is remembered as one of the most well-known and influential authors of the twentieth century. His books are full of rugged adventurous characters — be they man or animal. The Call of the Wild and White Fang both present the world through the eyes of animals. London’s stories often contain violence, which can be disturbing, but also are indicative of the brutal nature of self-centered and impatient men. His ability to depict the feelings and fears of animals is captivating to the imagination.

Call of the Wild traces the journey of Buck a mixed breed dog — part St. Bernard and part Scotch Shepherd. Buck is fiercely loyal to his master, Judge Miller. His trials begin when he is dog-napped by unscrupulous traders looking for dogs to sell to prospectors in the Klondike gold rush of 1897. Throughout the story Buck endures hardship from cruel human treatment and from the harshness of the elements. As his adventures take him into wild, uncivilized lands he is slowly drawn from being a domesticated animal back to his roots.

The story of White Fang is the antithesis of Call of the Wild. White Fang is an ill-treated, ill-tempered wolf-dog who is brought under control by constant exposure to civilization. He starts as an Indian sled dog and is later turned into a fighting dog by a cruel master. Finally he is loved and becomes domesticated as his new master values and cares for him.

London wrote a number of other books which you can browse through here.