The Iron Heel

[Ben G]

I recently wrote a book review of the Iron Heel over at Spike Magazine; which can be found here:-

http://www.spikemagazine.com/0806-jack-london-iron-heel.php


I would be intruiged to feel what other readers think of the book. In the UK where I live, the book has only just gone back into print after many years, which I find staggering. It seems to have a very low profile indeed, most UK readers of "Call of the Wild" have never heard of it. I presume it has not been quite so neglected in the US, and wonder if it has caused more of a general critical "feel" which seems absent here.

As I say in the review, I feel it has major flaws, principally in its characterisation, but is still a great work, and that its prophetic reach has been incredibly overlooked. Any thoughts?

-Ben G

[goldenbee]

The Iron Heel.... was a prophetic novel of Facism
published in 1908 it chrinicles the rise of tyrrany
in the USA

In 1902 Jack sailed from America to report on conditions in South Africa where the war had just ended.
But he stopped over in London to witness the Coronation of Edward 7th in august 1902.

He wrote.... 'The People of the Abyss'.... about the
London slums.
He found the English working classes in a state of inertia.

Jack died in 1916 aged 40.