This is the story of a wolf named White Fang, but it actually starts before he is born. The first part of the story tells about how animals survive in the harsh wilderness, where every animal is prey or predator; every victory for one means a defeat for another, and victory means to survive, and defeat means death.

Then, White Fang is captured by men. He endures more harshness, only now it makes even less sense, as not all of the cruelty of man is required by life-and-death decisions. At times, it appears to be cruelty for cruelty's sake.

Jack London knew and loved this harsh wilderness, and wrote of it eloquently and with style and clarity. He doesn't excuse or sugar-coat anything, but still manages to convey its hard but magnificent beauty. London also seemed to know dogs and wolves fairly well, as the animals, while definitely somewhat anthropomorphized, still retain realism. An excellent adventure novel.

Jack London : was born in San Francisco in 1876. He was at various times in his life an oyster pirate, vagrant, political activist, union leader, sailor, and gold miner. He died in 1916 at the age of forty.