Although Jack London is best known for The Call of the Wild and White Fang, he wrote dozens of powerful short stories—many of them set against the brutal landscapes of the Klondike and the far North. These stories often place ordinary people in extreme conditions, where instinct, endurance, and moral limits are tested.
London was a prolific and commercially successful writer in his lifetime, and several of his short stories remain staples of anthologies and classrooms today. Below is a selection of Jack London short stories, each with a brief teaser to help you decide what to explore next.
“To Build a Fire” is probably Jack London’s most anthologized short story and it’s one of my all time favorites. I also really enjoyed “Moon Face” and “To the Man on the Trail”. I hope you find something new here.
Jack London Short Stories
“To Build a Fire”
In the Yukon, a man is traveling on foot with a husky in the wilderness to meet some acquaintances. It’s –75 degrees and even though he’s careful, he breaks through some ice and soaks his boots, necessitating a fire. (Read “To Build a Fire”)
“The animal was depressed by the tremendous cold. It knew that it was no time for traveling. Its instinct told it a truer tale than was told to the man by the man’s judgment.”
—To Build a Fire
“To the Man on the Trail”
During a holiday gathering in a remote cabin, a stranger arrives and tells a story of pursuit and betrayal. When authorities later appear, the men left behind begin to reassess what they’ve heard—and what justice might mean on the frontier. (Summary of “To the Man on the Trail”)
Read “To the Man on the Trail”
“Moon-Face”
The narrator hates John Claverhouse especially his optimistic view of life, his laugh, and his name. He knows that it’s an irrational hatred, but instead of ignoring the man, he obsesses over him, making it his aim to destroy Claverhouse’s life.
“The Law of Life”
An elderly Inuit man is left behind as his tribe moves on to find food. Sitting alone in the cold, he reflects on his life and accepts death as a natural and inevitable part of existence. (Read “The Law of Life”)
“The One Thousand Dozen”
A driven and reckless man devises a risky scheme to transport eggs through harsh territory for profit. His ambition and stubbornness push him to gamble everything against the realities of the trail. (Read “The One Thousand Dozen”)
“The Red One”
Bassett, a scientist on a jungle expedition, becomes obsessed with a mysterious sound echoing through a gorge. His pursuit of knowledge leads him into conflict with both his companion and the local inhabitants, raising questions about obsession and meaning. (Read “The Red One”)
“South of the Slot”
Freddie Drummond is a professor of Sociology and completely orthodox in his views. He makes visits to the working-class part of town, South of the Slot, as research for his books. In this role he is “Big” Bill Tots. He begins to enjoy these trips more and more. Eventually, Freddie/Bill is a success in both worlds. (Read “South of the Slot”)
“The Sun-Dog Trail”
Sitka Charley is relaxing after a day on the Alaskan trail. He and the narrator start talking about a painting, which reminds Sitka of an arduous journey he once made. When he was a letter carrier on Lake Linderman, a young woman hired him to take her to Dawson. Then she hires him to travel with her. She is desperately looking for something but doesn’t tell him what. (Read “The Sun-Dog Trail”)
“The White Silence”
Three travelers struggle through the Yukon with limited food and exhausted dogs. When disaster strikes, they are forced to confront loyalty, sacrifice, and the unspoken rules of survival. (Read “The White Silence”)
“A Piece of Steak”
An aging boxer prepares for a crucial fight while weakened by hunger and poverty. As he reflects on past victories and present hardship, the story explores pride, endurance, and the cost of survival beyond youth. (Read “A Piece of Steak”)
“The Wisdom of the Trail”
Sitka Charley, familiar with both Native and white codes of honor, accompanies a small expedition through dangerous territory. When tensions rise, his understanding of the trail’s unspoken rules proves essential. (Read “The Wisdom of the Trail”)
Jack London’s short stories distill many of the ideas found in his novels into sharper, more concentrated forms. Whether set in the frozen North or in more familiar social settings, these stories often explore endurance, instinct, ambition, and the limits of human control. If you’re new to London, To Build a Fire is a natural starting point, but the lesser-known stories here are just as rewarding and reveal the range of his short fiction.