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I went home to the Soviet Union and brought back with me numerous notes, microfilms, memorable presents, and warm memories about the American people. Their kind advice and help made my visit twice as productive. I sorted out in my memory everything I learned about Jack London. I had learned about his restless heart and soul of a fighter, about some of his ideas and thoughts that I had the privilege to know before anyone in the Soviet Union.

My search for materials on Jack London did not stop upon my return from the United States. I read through the old newspapers and magazines and acquired translations of his books. I was extremely interested in the evolution of London's popularity in Russia.

Translation of London's books into Russian language started back in the first decade of the 20th century, soon after he became popular in his own country. During his lifetime, five multi-volume publications of his works came out in Russia. "Judging by the general content of plots of his works," noted Russkie Vedomosti (Russian News) in 1911, "this is, quite possibly, the most original belle letterist of our time. The author does not imitate anybody, does not use clich�s. He creates something absolutely unique."

Almost unanimously, reviewers noted the freshness and optimism of London's works. They saw him as a speaker of courage and strength. Some authors who contrasted London's life-oriented pathos with the literature of decadent Russian writers, contemporaries of Jack London, were also fascinated with the talent of their American colleague. "What I like in Jack London is his quiet strength," noted Leonid Andreev. "His developed and bright mind and noble manliness. Jack London is a wonderful writer. He is a great example of talent and strong will aimed towards the establishment of life." Another great Russian writer, A. Kouprin, thought that the main feature in the prose of this talented American author was the "simple, clear, wild poetry of his language as well as beauty of narration and peculiar, unique, catching plots."

After the Great October Revolution, London's popularity had increased even more in the newly established Soviet Union. His works were published in millions of copies, translated into dozens of languages of different peoples of the USSR. Soviet literary scholars did a serious, fruitful analysis of London's writings. It was they who pointed out London's connections with social forces of the time. They brought attention to the democratic elements in his works and showed his novelty. The Soviet Union became a second motherland of the American author.

An outstanding Soviet poet Mayakovsky, wrote a movie scenario for London's Martin Eden. He made it into a movie under the title "Not for Money was He Born," and played the main role in it. Sergei Esenin, Alexander Green, and a writer Nikolai Ostrovsky were all in love with London's work. Alexander Fadeev called Jack London his literary teacher. "You should not have excluded Jack London from the list of my literary teachers," — wrote Fadeev. — "Just remember the wild place where I grew up! You will understand why I think John Reed, Fennimore Cooper, and, of course, Jack London as my literary ideals." It is possible to find other followers of Jack London's tradition among Soviet writers. For example, "Story of a True Man," by Boris Polevoy, was written in the best traditions of the courageous American Jack London.

London knew Russia mostly from books and stories, but he unmistakably guessed the very soul of its people. He noticed their talent. Sympathy and hope were in his words during his speech of 1916, shortly before the October Revolution: "Slavic people are the youngest nation among the old peoples of the world; the future belongs to them."

One Russian journalist met with Jack London during his vacation on Hawaii, several months before London's death. The writer was very hospitable to his visitor. They had several discussions. Later, an interview, compiled out of these meetings, was published. There, London's personality showed through very clearly. I cannot resist the temptation to cite a passage from that article:

"Athletically built, handsome, very sunburned and still a very young gentleman," the article's author describes London, "welcomed us at the door. Jack London had on a light suit, which fitted him perfectly, and a tie. An expensive panama hat covered his thick, unruly hair. There was nothing too bright, overly artistic that could characterize him as a member of elite, which he was in my opinion." The journalist was amazed at the simple atmosphere and lifestyle of Jack London. "He lives simply and stays true to himself, he does not lead his life to show off. He eats simple food, no extremes. He keeps his frequent walks in fresh air, long swimming trips in the ocean. . . . In the mornings, before breakfast, he works and does not like to be interrupted. 'Sometimes, I can't write anything during those hours,' said London, — 'but I am used to spending a certain amount of time here. It's necessary for self-discipline'."

Reading the works of Jack London, I saw everything in a new light. Since I myself have been in those places where London's characters lived, I could picture the episodes from his books as they would have occurred, if they were not fiction. For example, I remember the San Francisco Bay, where two ferry boats slammed into each other. That episode later became the basis for the opening scene of The Sea-Wolf. Some other novels, such as Burning Daylight, The Valley of the Moon, The Star Rover, and short stories like "The Dream of Debs," and "South of the Slot," have sprung up from events in and around the Valley of the Moon.