John Barleycorn, or Alcoholic Memoirs

"John Barleycorn" is the closest London gets to writing an autobiography. After his 1912 trip to New York City, he wrote Barleycorn as a sort of self recognition of his lifelong affection of alcohol that resulted in his alcoholism. Although the work was advocated by the Temperance movement, it is not strictly devoted to the negative aspects of alcohol. In fact, London describes the benefits gained from the drink. As a whole, the novel is one of London’s best written works. It is witty and engrossing while maintaining a smooth and flowing prose. This is a great way to experience the mind of Jack London at work.