From Library JournalOne of London's lesser-known works, this collection of eight short stories concerns the adventures of Capt. David Grief. In his South Pacific travels, Grief encounters exploitative natives, pirates, and colonists. This edition has introductions to each story by scholars Thomas R. Tietze and Gary J. Riedl, plus numerous illustrations and maps. With all those extras and at this price, this 1912 title is more for academic libraries. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.From the PublisherThomas R. Tietze and Gary J. Riedl, who teach English at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minnesota, provide concise and illuminating introductions to this volume. Also, the volume is enlivened by reproductions of London's own photographs and maps, and by the illustrations that accompanied each story when first published.About the AuthorJack London (1876-1916) is the acclaimed author of The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and The Sea-Wolf. Thomas R. Tietze and Gary J. Riedl both teach high school English in Minnesota, and are the recipients of the NEH team award for independent study of London's work. what new books are coming out in 2019 A Son of the Sun: The Adventures of Captain David Grief
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding Edition of Little-Known London StoriesBy Matthew HowardIn short, these editors have fulfilled a desire I have had for years. Some of these stories appear in Jack London collections, but until this well-researched edition came out there was nowhere to get them all in one book.These David Grief stories are a pleasure to read: a truly heroic hero, exotic settings, well-crafted characters, language at once crisp and descriptive where every word defines a character, furthers the action, or draws the reader into the narrative.The footnotes illuminate the historical and geographical references in the stories, but even on their own these stories encapsulate cultural views, historical settings, and philosophies with London's personal twist. Hardly anyone today would describe the original islanders in terms of monkeys; but as soon as you think London is racist for doing so, he takes island characters and portrays them heroically and sensitively - often in the same story. One should understand that London did not shy away from presenting the reader with a slice of reality. It is his hero who is the fantasy, but one gets the sense, and rightly so, that London's fantastical characters inhabit a very real world with which he was personally familiar.If you want the best of the best of London this is indispensable. Consider this as a gift for the short-story lover in your life, whether writer or reader, who appreciates craft and literary substance in their action, romance, and adventure stories. A great collection in every way.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Jack London in top formBy OilnwaterWhile London's sea stories are not as well known as the frozen north stories, they are just great adventure yarns. Captain Grief could have been the prototype for James Bond. The notes by the editors are very good as well. Readers should consider that these stories were written 100 years ago and are not politically correct.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. One step above, or below, pulp fictionBy Tom BruceMost of these stories were writen for the Saturday Evening Post and later compiled in book form (the copy I have is a [older]1950s paperback, not the current pricey literary collection). Captain David Grief, called the Son of the Sun for his body's ability to tan perfectly, is a trader, entrepreneur, and adventurere in the south seas. In each of the eight episodes which comprise the book, he has a less than spectacular adventure which he solves using the combination of brawn and brain. There's not enough excitement to be true pulp fiction, and the stories are too slow in developing to interest youthful readers, so it begs the question: who comprises the intended readership? I read them because they were writen by London, and as such are well crafted, even if boring. Unlike many of his other works, I won't be reading this one again.