What's going on in the USA election ? Read The Iron Heel
london reader | 10.12.2000 15:45
The Iron Heel by Jack London.
The same guy who wrote the dog and gold mining stories also predicted the rise of fascism, the fall of the USSR and the current USA electoral crisis. In 1908 ! Did Orwell plagiarise it ?
[NOTE TO ED; PLEASE LEAVE THIS HERE. ITS IMPORTANT]
The same guy who wrote the dog and gold mining stories also predicted the rise of fascism, the fall of the USSR and the current USA electoral crisis. In 1908 ! Did Orwell plagiarise it ?
[NOTE TO ED; PLEASE LEAVE THIS HERE. ITS IMPORTANT]
THE IRON HEEL by JACK LONDON
First published in 1908, this eerie book is a near text book of plutocratic power seizure. Dismissed amid howls of protest (and banned in some USA states) the author was proved correct by subsequent events in Russia, Japan, Italy and Germany.
But he goes further. There are hints of the collapse of European socialist regimes (as in 1989- 91) and of particular interest for us today is the Chapter "the end" which comes some way before the end of the book. Essentially, A Nader type character (called Grainger) wins an election victory but is prevented from takng it up by the courts, who are in hoc to big business concerns. Sound familiar yet ?
Still more. We know that Orwell was familiar with this work. He refers to it on several occasions. Did he plagiarise it?
First published in 1908, this eerie book is a near text book of plutocratic power seizure. Dismissed amid howls of protest (and banned in some USA states) the author was proved correct by subsequent events in Russia, Japan, Italy and Germany.
But he goes further. There are hints of the collapse of European socialist regimes (as in 1989- 91) and of particular interest for us today is the Chapter "the end" which comes some way before the end of the book. Essentially, A Nader type character (called Grainger) wins an election victory but is prevented from takng it up by the courts, who are in hoc to big business concerns. Sound familiar yet ?
Still more. We know that Orwell was familiar with this work. He refers to it on several occasions. Did he plagiarise it?
london reader
Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
regrettably, Orwell was a plagiarist
11.12.2000 16:37
What Orwell lacks is London's optimism. He has that typical despair and resignation, as if nothing, ultimately, can be done. Jack knew better !
who he
He certainly was!
11.12.2000 17:12
Eric Blair
This book is online
12.12.2000 04:03
Peace,justice and liberty
0
0
Homepage:
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/London/Writings/IronHeel/