JACK LONDON

London's remarkable life makes for good reading: He was a fearless explorer whose struggles to become a successful writer filled his short life. Dyer makes it easy to marvel at the breadth and depth of London's early failures, which he overcame by self-discipline, including a regular routine of reading and writing, even when he was at sea—he didn't wait for inspiration. Through this well-written biography, readers gain a sense of London's spirit; he relished personal achievement ``for my own delight.'' (index, not seen, b&w photos, bibliography) (Biography. 11-13)