Has anybody read this book ? I did, it sonds like some prophecy.
It's a story about the rich oligarchy versus the poor people who own nothing and can do nothing but work to survive
It's a socialist book, it was published in 1908 .Jack London's death at age 40 was mysterious, a government agent sent to poison him is not hard to imagine for me.
I know that there was a hunt for communists in the USA after the second world war. Then the USA invaded Vietnam for the same reason.
What do you think about the book ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Heel
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Iron Heel reminds many readers of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, and is cited by Orwell's biographer Michael Shelden as having influenced that work
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"The Iron Heel" by Jack London
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"The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by paimei01 » Fri 23 Mar 2007, 11:55:10
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Oligarchy are the largest monopoly trusts (or robber barons) who manage to squeeze out the middle class by bankrupting most small to mid-sized business as well as reducing all farmers to effective serfdom. This Oligarchy maintains power through a "labor caste" and the Mercenaries. Labor in essential industries like steel and rail are elevated and given decent wages, housing, and education. Indeed, the tragic turn in the novel (and Jack London's core warning to his contemporaries) is the treachery of these favored unions which break with the other unions and side with the Oligarchy. Further, a second, military caste is formed: the Mercenaries. The Mercenaries are officially the army of the US but are in fact in the employ of the Oligarchs.
http://paimei01.blogspot.com/
One day there will be so many houses, that people will be bored and will go live in tents. "Why are you living in tents ? Are there not enough homes ?" "Yes there are, but we play this Economy game". Now it's "Crisis" time !Too many houses! Yes, we are insane!
One day there will be so many houses, that people will be bored and will go live in tents. "Why are you living in tents ? Are there not enough homes ?" "Yes there are, but we play this Economy game". Now it's "Crisis" time !Too many houses! Yes, we are insane!
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Re: "The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by PenultimateManStanding » Fri 23 Mar 2007, 11:59:58
Haven't read that one but he's a good writer. The Sea Wolf was good. The Nazis burned his books in their infamous book burnings. The Iron Heel is readable online:
The Iron Heel
as for his death, I read that he pretty much drank himself to death.
The Iron Heel
as for his death, I read that he pretty much drank himself to death.
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Re: "The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by AirlinePilot » Fri 23 Mar 2007, 12:51:40
If you ever get the chance try the shorts by him "White Silence" and "To Build a Fire". Very good stories about the northern wilderness and mans insignifigance in it. I still re-read them on occasion.
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Re: "The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by paimei01 » Fri 23 Mar 2007, 13:06:13
I have read them. I think I have read almost all of Jack London's books. Another great book is "The grapes of wrath" by John Steinbeck
http://paimei01.blogspot.com/
One day there will be so many houses, that people will be bored and will go live in tents. "Why are you living in tents ? Are there not enough homes ?" "Yes there are, but we play this Economy game". Now it's "Crisis" time !Too many houses! Yes, we are insane!
One day there will be so many houses, that people will be bored and will go live in tents. "Why are you living in tents ? Are there not enough homes ?" "Yes there are, but we play this Economy game". Now it's "Crisis" time !Too many houses! Yes, we are insane!
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Re: "The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by Pretorian » Fri 23 Mar 2007, 17:40:01
He is a great writer, however his socialist views are too idealistic. Human nature willnt be changed by any laws, edicts, rulings and whatever else.
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Re: "The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by PenultimateManStanding » Fri 23 Mar 2007, 17:48:53
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pretorian', 'H')e is a great writer, however his socialist views are too idealistic. Human nature willnt be changed by any laws, edicts, rulings and whatever else.
it was a hundred years ago. How were they to know?-
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Re: "The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by I_Like_Plants » Fri 23 Mar 2007, 23:40:45
It's a good book, and describes what ppl in the US Midwest have experienced for sure, see the movie Roger And Me etc.
There was a thing on PBS I think about a guy who injured his hand in a factory, safeguards not in place and he was told to work anyway, his hand got mangled and the oligarchs told him Fuck You, this stuff goes on all the time.
London was a socialist, very anti-alcohol, and had really been through the stuff he wrote about. His story Martin Eden is sort of about his life, with some of the rough stuff like the Yukon taken out.
London indeed was in poor health by his late 30s, was in Hawaii and so out of shape he had a small boy to tie his shoes, for instance. He lived a lot of life very early, sort of the working-class destiny, life is hard and short. He indeed basically drank himself to death but also had "ruined his digestion" from bad food, not enough food, etc.
He wrote also about the lives of "hobos" and the poor in the US, went around and traveled with them, it's good reading and on The Gutenberg Project site also.
For a guy who lived to be 40, he lived a LOT and sure gave a lot to mankind at large.
There was a thing on PBS I think about a guy who injured his hand in a factory, safeguards not in place and he was told to work anyway, his hand got mangled and the oligarchs told him Fuck You, this stuff goes on all the time.
London was a socialist, very anti-alcohol, and had really been through the stuff he wrote about. His story Martin Eden is sort of about his life, with some of the rough stuff like the Yukon taken out.
London indeed was in poor health by his late 30s, was in Hawaii and so out of shape he had a small boy to tie his shoes, for instance. He lived a lot of life very early, sort of the working-class destiny, life is hard and short. He indeed basically drank himself to death but also had "ruined his digestion" from bad food, not enough food, etc.
He wrote also about the lives of "hobos" and the poor in the US, went around and traveled with them, it's good reading and on The Gutenberg Project site also.
For a guy who lived to be 40, he lived a LOT and sure gave a lot to mankind at large.
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Re: "The Iron Heel" by Jack London
by Carlhole » Sat 24 Mar 2007, 01:07:29
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('paimei01', 'I') have read them. I think I have read almost all of Jack London's books. Another great book is "The grapes of wrath" by John Steinbeck
If you like London and Steinbeck, you might like The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Amazon Reviewer', 'A') delightful read about the day a man began irrigating his father's beanfield.
Nichols engages the reader from the first page, with a blend of magical realism, social commentary, satire, and good old fashioned story telling.
Jose "Joe" Mandragon sets in motion a variety of forces in the state of New Mexico when he irrigates his family legacy, a miniscule beanfield left to him by his father. With that simple act, centuries-old tensions between rancher and farmer, Mexican and Anglo, subsistence living and the cash economy, come to a head.
What could have been a dull exercise in race relations, regional history, and economic theory, is instead brought to wonderful, earthy life in this charming novel that will make you think, laugh, and perhaps even shed a tear or two.
Definitely worth reading!
I know, there is a movie but it sucked by comparison to the book and I don't think you really could duplicate the artistry of the prose because of the magical realism employed.
Also, it's really the first book in a trilogy - all parts of the same story. "The Magic Journey" and "The Nirvana Blues" are the other books in the tril. Nichols was a socialist too.
Parts of it are really hilarious. One of my favorites.
Jack London was my favorite author when I was in high school but I haven't read the story you linked to -- so thanks!
- Carlhole