Jack London's Neighborhood

About the Book

This book can serve as a guide with information about Alameda that may have been relevant or add interest concerning Jack London’s life and times in Alameda. Individuals may use this little handbook to explore, and follow for themselves a walk from place to place. Eventually “Jack London Walks” may be offered by story-tellers or history docents or as a commercial enterprise equivalent to historic walks in Oakland, San Francisco and other areas. There are very few island cities such as Alameda in our nation. I hope you will enjoy seeing Alameda and these places as they exist today and putting them in the context of the history of this area which had significance to the story of Jack London’s life and times in Alameda. This is your invitation, to Jack London’s Neighborhood. It is my neighborhood, too.

About the Author

Alameda’s Poet Laureate Mary Rudge is a phenomenon who is unique but not rare since many literary persons: William Saroyan, Jack London, Don Blanding, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Duncan, poet-musicians such as Jim Morrison of The Doors, with Phyllis Diller, (and numerous visual artists, musicians, writers, fi lm-makers, actors such as Tom Hanks, and peace activists not encompassed in this book) have made a connection to this island that has become legendary for the genius of its people in a place so small. Readers of this story-map of the island’s literary history by Mary Rudge will have a fascinating experience following the route around the island where her ardent heart leads you; where poets in the past have been touched by the sense of place and their experiences. A walk around Alameda, following passages in this book, is an adventure in the real world of the excitement in lives of poets.