| Jack London''s Racial Lives: A Critical Biography Subjects: London Jack 1876–1916; London Jack 1876–1916 -- Criticism and interpretation; London Jack 1876–1916 -- Knowledge -- Race; London Jack 1876–1916 -- Political and social views; Authors American -- 20th century -- Biography; Race in literature; Raci; Jack London (1876-1916), known for his naturalistic and mythic tales, remains among the most popular and influential American writers in the world. Jack London's Racial Lives offers the first full study of the enormously important issue of race in London's life and diverse works, whether set in the Klondike, Hawaii, or the South Seas or during the Russo-Japanese War, the Jack Johnson world heavyweight bouts, or the Mexican Revolution. Jeanne Campbell Reesman explores his choices of genre by analyzing racial content and purpose and judges his literary artistry against a standard of racial tolerance. Although he promoted white superiority in novels and nonfiction, London sharply satirized racism and meaningfully portrayed racial others--most often as protagonists--in his short fiction. JEANNE CAMPBELL REESMAN is a professor of English at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is the author of American Designs: The Late Novels of James and Faulkner and Jack London: A Study of the Short Fiction . Her other books include Trickster Lives and Speaking the Other Self (both Georgia). |