Customer Reviews
This book teaches so much... 
2008-09-06
I read this book over and over as a child and after reading it again this past week, I see so much value in it. A story told from a dog's point of view, it teaches children empathy for animals and that value cannot be overrated. One might make the mistake of thinking that because it is written from the dog's POV, it is trite or cutesy...it's not. It is gritty and realistic, emphasizing how a man's character can often be revealed in the manner he treats animals.
A rollicking adventure from start to finish, expect to cry and be overjoyed as you read. I would recommend that you read it before giving it to a child, just to make sure it is age appropriate for their developmental stage.
Stark, Powerful Wilderness Tale 2008-07-21
This is a powerful tale of survival of the fittest in the Alaskan Wilderness. It's the story of Buck, a large St. Bernard/Collie kidnapped (or dognapped) for the Klondike Alaska Gold Rush of 1897. Mistreated and passed between human owners, Buck quickly learns to survive by stealing food, and fighting for leadership of the hounds pulling the dogsled. Buck happily comes under the ownerships of kindly John Thornton, but turns savagely vengeful after Thornton is killed. Later, he joins a wolf pack in the wild. This story is told from Buck's point of view, and the descriptions of a frigid, unforgiving wilderness inspire many readers. Others are moved by the author's take on the dark side of human nature and the Darwinian struggle to survive.
Author Jack London (1876-1916) knew of the stark wilderness from his participation in the 1897 Gold Rush. Readers might also like his other writings like SEA WOLF and WHITE FANG.
A great read with powerful messages for all ages 
2008-06-10
Perhaps Jack London's most famous (and shortest) novel, THE CALL OF THE WILD is an undeniably powerful book. Its reputation as a children's book is unfortunate, as this one has something to offer readers of all ages. It is more than the simple-seeming story of a dog taken from civilization and thrust into a harsh and brutal environment, where he is forced to thrive or die, kill or be killed. It is also a story of making the best of the worst, persevering against overwhelming obstacles, living up to ones potential, and reclaiming lost heritage. The emergence of Buck's instinctual fire for life and the almost ghostly visitations from his ancestors is really a joy to read. London's ability to draw you into his stories is also much in evidence here. Even though Buck is a dog, London is able to make him into one of the most intimately knowable and lovable characters in fiction, a remarkable feat when considering the brevity of the novel. Additionally, the sometimes extreme brutality of Buck's surroundings, and the graphic nature in which London describes it, certainly indicates that children were not the intended audience for this piece.
Buck's journey in the North and his transformation into the powerful adept of the Fang and the Club makes up a tale that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to readers of any age or experience. London's message is more than the straight forward story that it usually gets credit for. If you haven't yet read it, or haven't since your childhood, pick this one up for a few hours of enjoyable reading.
The Call of the Wild is a Savage Glimpse of Nature Tooth and Nail through the eyes of a husky dog 2008-05-20
Jack London (1876-1916)was a man of the outdoors who wrote best about nature tooth and claw. In his great novel "The Call of the Wild" he tells one of the greatest dog stories ever written.
Buck is a dog living on the California ranch of Judge Miller. He is kidnapped and shipped to the gold fields of Alaska in the 1890's. Buck was placed in a cage and beaten with savagery by a man in a red shirt in Seattle. Buck was sold to two French fur traders; fought and won a horrific battle to the death with their lead sled dog Spitz and sold to a Scottish half breed. Buck almost dies as he and the team have to travel near the Arctic Circle and Canada for over 3000 miles. The dogs are ill kept being cold, hungry and abused. Later Buck is sold to two brothers and a woman who do not know how to survive in the wild. They too abuse Buck.
Buck is rescued when he stumbles into the cabin of the kindly John Thornton who restores him to health. Thornton is killed by Indians so Buck returns to the wild where he roams freely. Buck is a strong, independent dog who learns that only the strong survive in a cruel environment.
Jack London penned the novel in 1903. He believed that in the world only those who are tough can survive against enemies. London's world is a harsh, cruel place. The story of Buck and later White Fang in another novel remind us of how difficult life can be in a merciless and hellish setting. The book also reminds us of the need to be kind to animals.
Call of the Wild 2008-04-29
I first read this book in junior high, and when I read it again the brutality of this book made me realize how cruel life can be. I had forgotten much of it and I was somewhat surprised how cruel this book was. Jack London uses human emotions and characteristics as he writes of Buck, the loyal, strong dog that goes from a passive life in Cailfornia to the barreness of the Alaska gold rush.
London's human characters are merely role players, cameos if you will, while the animals undergo a reverse evolutionary process from tranquil to ferocious beasts of the wild. In the end, the civilized dog, Buck, takes his rightful place at the head of a pack of wild wolves. Whether this is believable or not remains to the reader to decide, but London writes artfully and conviningly about his subject.
London lived part of what he wrote about, so the fact of the gold rush towns and personalities are true, but his dogs achieve a superior role that may or may not be really possible. Nevertheless, this truly is a gripping story and, while it is aimed at a male audience, any reader who enjoys this type of book will be rewarded with a good story.
Fantastic book! 2008-04-09
First published in 1903,
The Call of the Wild is regarded as Jack London's masterpiece. Based on London's experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and his ideas about nature and the struggle for existence,
The Call of the Wild is a tale about unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike.
Help Buck find his part the wild. 
2008-04-09
Call of the Wild Review
Alex
Call of the Wild is a nail biting book of thrills. It is by Jack London and was published in the late 1800s. The Call of the Wild is when a family dog named Buck is stolen from his cozy fire and sold as a sled dog. Buck must overcome harsh conditions and vicious enemies, to find his part in the wild. This book is perfect for dog lovers who need to find out the life of sled dogs. But it is easy to doze off because of the tiny print. CAUTION: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF TEN!
This story takes place during the gold rush in Alaska. The family servant steals Buck, and sells him for money for his gambling needs. Buck is trained as a sled dog to find gold. As Buck stops for a break, the sled team is stolen. Many dogs die, for the stealers don't know how to handle sled dogs. Buck is one of the few soul survivors. Finally Buck is saved by John Thornton right before he is killed. This book has good information on the Alaskan Gold Rush.
The author's addition of Spits gave the story a little more suspense. He was the bad guy in dog sense. He killed other dogs for pleasure. It shows what Buck will have to do to become the best dog in the pack. The writer's purpose was to show a life with many debates and issues and what that person has to do become a legend.
I hope my review helped you with your chose of Call of the Wild. Thanks for reading my review.
A novel for every child 2008-04-09
Jack London's remarkable saga of Buck's adventures in the Klondike during the days of the Gold Rush should be read by every child, especially any child in a family considering adding a pet to the family.
Sharing the experience of the protagonist will instruct the reader and develop an understanding and love for man's best friend.
Samuel L. Kalush, M.D.
a classic 2008-01-18
This story has affected many and helped people care about how animals are treated, making humans less brutish
If You Like Animals This Is The Book For You 2007-03-06
This book is about a dog named Buck. He travels around the world with different musher's all trying to get to a gold mine on a land. Which people never come back once they go. This book is very good because they didn't talk during most of the book.
This book explained what happened when they were mushing and how they felt when they didn't get their way when they were done mushing. For me there wasn't enough action going around in the story. There were only certain parts in the story that were interesting. Like when Buck killed Indians because they killed his owner.
Another time was when Buck and a sleigh dog were forced to fight. Then in parts of the book I didn't understand some of the words. To me the author explained everything good enough to understand. This would be a good book for any body.
