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The Best of Jack London: To Build a Fire Audio CD – Audiobook, August 1, 2002

by Jack London (Author), Bob E. Flick (Narrator)
4.4 out of 5 stars 185 ratings
"Day had broken cold and grey, exceedingly cold and grey, when the man turned aside from the main Yukon trail and climbed the high earth- bank, where a dim and little-travelled trail led eastward through the fat spruce timberland..."

A man alone on the Yukon Trail—save for his dog—is planning on meeting friends when the day turns for the worse and he encounters severe cold reaching 75 degrees below zero. His luck only goes downhill from there when he falls through the snow, getting his legs wet. Now, his only hope of surviving is to build a fire, but his lack of supplies, the extreme elements and his own diminishing senses prove to be an impenetrable barrier to his existence.

First published in 1902, 'To Build a Fire' is one of Jack London's most beloved short stories. A heartbreaking tale set in the vast wintry landscape of the North, it endures as one of the greatest adventures ever written.

 Jack London (1876-1916) was an American novelist, journalist, and social activist. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to become an international celebrity and earn a large fortune from writing. His most famous works include 'The Call of the Wild' (1903) and 'White Fang' (1906), as well as the short stories 'To Build a Fire' (1902), 'An Odyssey of the North' (1900), and 'Love of Life' (1905).
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  1. Language
    English
  2. Publisher
    Ziggurat Productions
  3. Publication date
    August 1, 2002
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 7.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1884214142
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1884214141
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The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

Ignore the package's shouts about this being an "audio movie" and a "masterpiece" with "spectacular sound effects." Listeners will find this overwrought version of one of London's survival tales a worthwhile listen, though not as life-changing as the publisher seems to hope. Perhaps if Ziggurat had concentrated more closely on the story instead of music and effects, this listen might have held the value it strives too hard to achieve. This recording, however, would probably be fine fare for young people new to audio theater and those studying London in school. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ziggurat Productions
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2002
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Abridged
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1884214142
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1884214141
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.52 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 185 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
185 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a brilliant and terrifying story, describing it as a quintessential Man vs. Nature narrative. They appreciate its readability and writing quality, with one customer noting its knack for depicting the setting.

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Story qualityReadabilityWriting qualityVisual quality
13 customers mention "Story quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers praise the story quality of this book, describing it as a brilliant, terrifying, and quintessential Man vs. Nature narrative. One customer particularly appreciates the contrast between the two versions included in the book.

"...about London’s style of storytelling is that there is a definitive rawness and brutality to it and this is displayed fully in To Build a Fire...." Read more

"...Did not disappoint. The simplicity of a well told story about the magnificence of nature and the elements, and a man's experience of it, never gets..." Read more

"...I guess my point is that this story was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors!..." Read more

"This has to be one of the scariest stories I have ever read--made so because it is entirely believable...." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and well-written, with one mentioning that it includes exercises.

"Love these books with exercises and discussion questions at the end. Perfect for homeschooling." Read more

"One of my favorite books. I don't want to give too much away, but it is engulfing as well as educational...." Read more

"...The book was fine - but your pricing is NOT." Read more

"Jack London was one of the best writers of American historical literature...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one noting it's a quick read.

"...And, this story is just great writing and storytelling by London, with a knack for depicting the setting and the ultimate conflict...." Read more

"...Jack London's prose is clean, clear and precise as he details the journey of one man across the Yukon on a bitterly cold day--a journey he is not..." Read more

"Great story and well written !" Read more

"Short story, quick read but very good...." Read more

3 customers mention "Visual quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual quality of the book, with one review highlighting its knack for depicting settings and another noting its magnificence of nature and elements.

"...is just great writing and storytelling by London, with a knack for depicting the setting and the ultimate conflict...." Read more

"...The simplicity of a well told story about the magnificence of nature and the elements, and a man's experience of it, never gets old" Read more

"The content provides a graphic example of the importance of being prepared and what can happen when a person isn't ready...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • fra7299
    5.0 out of 5 stars Man vs. Nature
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I do believe that Jack London’s To Build a Fire is one of the quintessential Man vs. Nature stories, as it has many of the elements of London’s theme of Naturalism, and certainly defines the essence of man out of his element.

    Set in the backdrop of the Yukon Trail, where the temperatures plummet below sub-tundra, one hopeful prospector travels without any human companion. The story’s main premise is the negligent attitude of the unnamed man, who is unexperienced in this region of the Great North, as he hopes to meet up with his companions. However, he must trek quite a bit of the terrain to get there in quite brutal elements. He is not completely alone, however. His dog is with him on the journey, but his dog knows that there is a limit to such cold.

    What I particularly like about London’s style of storytelling is that there is a definitive rawness and brutality to it and this is displayed fully in To Build a Fire. There’s a realism that he evokes within the scope of humans out in the elements, and this is encapsulated aptly within this story.

    And, this story is just great writing and storytelling by London, with a knack for depicting the setting and the ultimate conflict.

    Definitely a brilliant story, very classic, and one I read every year.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Victor Martinez-Saldana
    4.0 out of 5 stars Indomitable Alaskan cold
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Looking for quick, descriptive adventure. Did not disappoint. The simplicity of a well told story about the magnificence of nature and the elements, and a man's experience of it, never gets old
    One person found this helpful
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  • freme
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love these books
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Love these books with exercises and discussion questions at the end. Perfect for homeschooling.
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  • Saoirse
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Story
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a very short story and I had been wanting to read this for a long time. Myself and a few friends were headed out on a hiking trip which was going to require us to build our own fires at night for warmth and cooking. We met several people on the trail and getting a fire started was never a problem, but for myself, it was important that I learn how to start one w/out the use of matches, should ever run into a situation where we didn't have them/those them/get them wet etc. I had a flint stone and scraper and magnesium to scrape, and strike to start one. At any rate, I wanted to remind myself how important it was to be able to start a fire from scratch should we need to. Well, this story scared the living daylights out of me. I practiced with my fire starter over and over and over until I could start a fire w/ in 3 minutes. I guess my point is that this story was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves the outdoors! It totally hit home with me about how life is so precious and how mother nature is so unforgiving.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kathleen Valentine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful writing and a terrifying story...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This has to be one of the scariest stories I have ever read--made so because it is entirely believable. Jack London's prose is clean, clear and precise as he details the journey of one man across the Yukon on a bitterly cold day--a journey he is not equipped to make. In the beginning he starts out cocky and self-confident, congratulating himself on being so adventurous but when a series of missteps throw him into a dire situation his decline is as inevitable as it is terrifying. Outstanding story-telling.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Richard Dobis
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not a feel good story. Jack London wrote it like you are ...
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A lot of truth about being unprepared. Not a feel good story. Jack London wrote it like you are there. A good reminder that we don't know it all and you won't learn it in books. Experience goes along ways.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mary & Vinnie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, you'll have nightmares of cold creeks
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    One of my favorite books. I don't want to give too much away, but it is engulfing as well as educational. I would recommend reading it on a warm beach in the summer, as opposed to at a cold bus stop in Massachusetts in January.
    -Mary
    One person found this helpful
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  • DW
    3.0 out of 5 stars Fire
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was expecting something quite different than this book turned out to be. A friend of mine raved on about what a classic story this was, I didn't see it the same way.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Hugh Anderson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    All as described, thanks!
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  • Paul Miller
    4.0 out of 5 stars First class story of one man's battle with the wilderness.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Jack London has a deep familiarity with the challenges the Yukon wilderness presents to the lone traveller. This story graphically portrays the increasing education and humbling of a man who fails to respect that wilderness and its capacity to outwit and confound man's arrogance. The task of building a simple fire in this context reflects the insignificance and vulnerability we still have in the face of nature.
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