Synopsis "The Road"

Classics for Your Collection: goo.gl/U80LCr --------- The Road is an autobiographical memoir by Jack London, first published in 1907. It is London's account of his experiences as a hobo in the 1890s, during the worst economic depression the United States had experienced up to that time. He describes his experiences hopping freight trains, "holding down" a train when the crew is trying to throw him off, begging for food and money, and making up extraordinary stories to fool the police. He also tells of the thirty days that he spent in the Erie County Penitentiary, which he described as a place of "unprintable horrors," after being "pinched" (arrested) for vagrancy. In addition, he recounts his time with Kelly's Army, which he joined up with in Wyoming and remained with until its dissolution at the Mississippi River. It's funny and ugly and individualistic and crafty and bad and good and American and human. A series of interesting vignettes about the time Jack London spent as a train-jumping hobo in his youth, it is a fantastic look into a long-past time and a unique culture. Many of the stories are funny, such as how he would win food or elude the bulls. Some inspire social outrage, like when he was imprisoned. Facts and Trivia: The 1973 film Emperor of the North Pole, starring Lee Marvin, is loosely based upon The Road by Jack London. Scroll Up and Get Your Copy!

Jack London

(Author)

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Jack London (1876-1916), pseudonym of John Griffith Chaney, is one of the great American writers of the early 20th century. His world is inspired by a very subjective interpretation of Nietzsche's philosophy and is built on the principle of survival of the fittest. Born in San Francisco, he was essentially a self-taught child who avidly read the collections of the public library. At seventeen, he embarked on his first schooner, heading to Japan. After several experiences as a sailor and vagabond -which also led to his imprisonment-, London attended Oakland High School and later, the University of California, which he had to leave due to financial problems. Like many, he suffered from gold fever until he finally turned to writing.

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