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JACK LONDON: HIS LITERARY GENESIS AND WRITING STYLE ARE DISCOVERED IN HIS POETRY

This is a seminal book of exploration and discovery into the literary genesis and writing style of Jack London. It brings together all the poetry, published and unpublished, of Jack London to support the assertion that London was first and foremost a poet who wrote fiction and nonfiction and not a writer of fiction and nonfiction who also wrote poetry.

After more than 20 years of research in all depositories and databases of Jack London material, Wichlan publishes his remarkable results. The book contains the poetry embedded in London's writing and correctly identifies previously uncredited authors and defines the poetry probably written by Jack London. Included are two published plays in verse, and book inscriptions Jack London wrote in his first editions given to his first wife, Bessie Maddern, their children and his second wife, Charmian London. Twenty-eight pages from his first log book "No 1 — Magazine Sales" are reproduced, which reveal the true extent of London's avid study of classical prosody taken from a newly discovered source.

In an extended introduction Dan cites many examples and quotes from London's 51 books, numerous letters, and descriptions of his life with poetry from Charmian London's biography of her husband. Dan connects and links London's words and actions from many sources to support the central theme of the book that Jack London was a poet and his lyrical prose style a direct consequence of prosodic studies, poetic aspirations and a lifelong passion for poetry. Therefore, for those interested in discovering the true Jack London, this is essential reading.

BOOK REVIEWS

"The world knows Jack London the adventurer. Jack London the Klondike Argonaut, Jack London the scientific farmer. Jack London the social crusader, and—above all—Jack London the master storyteller. Now, thanks to the remarkable research of Dan Wichlan, the world will know Jack London the poet. Wichlan's comprehensive collection provides invaluable testimony to yet another measure of this world-famous author's extraordinary creative genius."
— Earle Labor, Wilson Professor of American Literature, Centenary College of Louisiana.

"With publication of The Complete Poetry of Jack London Dan Wichlan, an authority on the celebrated author, has rendered a singular service to the study of American Literature.  . . .Aside from the book's obvious virtue of being complete and therefore unique, Wichlan's introductory essay stands as a significant commentary into London's poetic aspirations. Another commendable inclusion are the extracts from London's personal logs that depict his study into the mechanics of poetic form. These are priceless glimpses into the workings of an author best known for works of prose — but prose that is infused with poetry."
— Dale L Walker, Editor of In a Far Country: Jack London's Tales of the West, and other London studies

"A groundbreaking and definitive work that will be welcomed by both general readers and scholars alike. Wichlan not only gathers the complete array of London's published and unpublished poetry, he examines the poetry of others embedded in London's writings. Crisp and apt annotations throughout reveal London's passion for language, as well as his astute business sense. A modest title covers immense riches."
— Clarice Stasz, Professor Emerita of History, Sonoma State University, CA.

"A scholarly tour de force, revealing Jack London as never before, this one of a kind study examining his passion for the power of poetry demands that we take a fresh look at an often under appreciated writer and confirms the importance of his prose style as true art made with words."
— Marc Goldsmith, Associate Professor of Humanities, Mitchell College, New London, CT.

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Daniel J. Wichlan was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri where he attended elementary and high schools. After completing high school, Dan gained a degree in Industrial Engineering from St. Louis University and was awarded a teaching fellowship to Kansas State University where he gained a Masters in Industrial Engineering. He retired from the information systems profession in 1999.

A life long independent London scholar, of legendary status, Dan has spent much of his discretionary time over the last 24 years collecting material for this and other books related to Jack London. Dan is a member of both the Jack London Foundation and the Jack London Society. He received the 2005 Jack London Foundation "Man of the Year" Award.