Jack London’s most famous novels are The Call of the Wild and White Fang both set in the wilderness of Alaska, where wolves, sledge dogs, greedy prospectors and loose women represent the different aspects of the fight for survival in the wild. London's "strength of utterance" is at its height in his stories, and they are painstakingly well-constructed. "To Build a Fire" is the best known of all his stories. Set in the harsh Klondike, it recounts the haphazard trek of a new arrival who has ignored an old-timer's warning about the risks of travelling alone. An eloquent public speaker, he was much sought after as a lecturer on socialism and other economic and political topics. Most people considered London a living symbol of rugged individualism, a man whose fabulous success was not due to special favour of any kind, but to a combination of immense mental ability and vitality. Strikingly handsome, full of laughter, restless and courageous, always eager for adventure, Jack London was one of the most romantic figures of this time. The Water Baby was first published in October 1916. A tall tale is told by an aged Hawaiian fisherman about the fabled exploit of a young boy who understood the language of sharks and used his wits and skills to trick a school of forty sharks that tried to prevent him from diving for lobsters to prepare for a feast for the king. Listen online to free English audiobook "The Water Baby” on our website to experience Jack London's short story.
