What an amazing book. The way the author describes the horrid conditions of East London (around 1900) will make you really grateful for your present situation in life (no matter what it might be). It is amazing and very difficult to believe that so many (as in thousands upon thousands) of people lived in such desperate and despicable conditions yet this was the case. Jack London voluntarily put himself in this situation to learn what life was like for the wretched. Luckily for him, he had a refuge when things got too tough (and they often did) but none of the others he came into contact with, had such an escape.

The author does an excellent job of not only showing the misery of the impoverished but also shows how lacking in compassion and support was the rest of London's society. Perhaps those who were more elevated on the social ladder were unaware of those below but that seems unlikely given the 450,000 or so who lived in such conditions.

This book speaks volumes of how little we have progressed as a species. I believe that this is one of the best books that I have ever read.