Book excerpt: Who was the fascinating man behind the legend? Forget all the rumors. In this book, you can read Jack¿s thoughts and ideas . . . in his own words. More insightful than an autobiography, London¿s words offer a direct glimpse into his life, mind, and spirit. His words reflect his multi-faceted personality¿direct, enthusiastic, intelligent, passionate, and at times, brutally frank. This collection of quotations¿the most comprehensive to date¿from Jack London¿s writings and letters allow us to better understand who he was¿his dreams, his doubts, and frustrations. By publishing these words, Jack London speaks for himself. In this premier edition, the first of its kind, published 85 years after his death, Jack's words speak to us, reaching out across the great "white silence" to enrich the lives of a new generation of readers. This book also contains a Chronology of Jack London¿s life . . . one of the most complete and accurate chronologies in existence!Edited by Margie Wilson, professional editor and writer for more than 30 years. Her honors include inclusion in Who¿s Who in the West, The Dictionary of International Biography, and selection as one of the ¿2000 Outstanding Women of the 20th Century¿ and one of the ¿2000 Outstanding Scholars of the 20th Century¿.