Jack London : The Paths Men Take

Jack London: The Paths Men Take celebrates the legendary writer of the early nineteenth century. Known for his fame, prolific writing, controversy, and revolutionary spirit, Jack London remains one of the most fascinating figures in US history. Yet, his literary accomplishments are only part of his legacy. Jack London was also a talented photographer, referring to his pictures as "human documents," making his camera an essential companion during his global adventures and reportage.

This book, introduced by Davide Sapienza, showcases a vast selection of London's photographic works alongside excerpts from his narrative and journalistic pieces. The collection includes iconic moments where London bore witness to significant historical events such as the Russo-Japanese War, the San Francisco earthquake, and the incredible Cruise of the Snark. For the first time, a publication highlights Jack London as a photographer, seamlessly blending his visual storytelling with his narratives to provide a more complete perspective of the artist.

Edited by Alessia Tagliaventi, the book contains 70 black and white photographs, capturing Jack London not only as a renowned author but also as an extraordinary photographer. Raised in poverty as an illegitimate child, London dropped out of school to support his mother, enduring mind-numbing jobs that kindled his lifelong interest in socialism. Self-taught and brilliant, he frequented California's waterside bars, brawling with drunken sailors and learning about love from prostitutes. Full of laughter, restless and courageous, London was an adventurous figure of his era. He credited his international literary triumph to hard work, or as he described it, "to dig."

Between 1900 and 1916, Jack London completed over 50 fiction and non-fiction books, hundreds of short stories, and numerous articles. His lust for adventure carried him from Hawaii's beaches to Alaska's gold fields, where he personally experienced survival challenges he later immortalised in classics like White Fang and The Call of the Wild. A heavy-drinking womaniser with children to support, he found true passion when he married Charmian Kittredge, the love of his life.

Despite his adventurous background, London had never encountered a woman like Charmian; she adored fornication and boxing and bravely risked her life to sail and explore. She typed his manuscripts while he produced novels, serving as both his muse and critic. A lover, fighter, and onetime hobo, Jack London lived a life of grand experiences and passed away before reaching forty.