Focus on ‘Burning Daylight’

The ongoing Jack London Book Discussion Group meets for its summer session from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, to discuss Jack London’s “Burning Daylight,” an adventure novel set in the Yukon and San Francisco Bay Area.

The book was one of the best-selling books of 1910 and some say it was London’s best-selling book of his lifetime.

In the story, the fearless protagonist, nicknamed Burning Daylight, becomes the most successful entrepreneur of the Alaskan gold rush with adventure following him when he moves to San Francisco and eventually Glen Ellen.

The beauty of Sonoma County captivated London and drew him to settle there. As he states in “John Barleycorn,” “Across Sonoma Mountain wisps of sea fog are stealing. The afternoon sun smolders in the drowsy sky. I have everything to make me glad I am alive.” Reading Jack London’s Bay Area novels is a visceral experience for those who recognize the places he so eloquently describes.

The Aug. 21 session, like all the book discussion groups, will be led by two Jack London scholars, Susan Nuernberg and Iris Jamahl Dunkle “Burning Daylight” and all of London’s books are available in the museum bookshop. The final session of the Jack London Book Discussion Group meets Friday, Oct. 2 to discuss “Star Rover.”

Cost to participate in the discussion is $10 in addition to the regular $10 per car parking fee, is collected at the entrance kiosk. To arrange for the admission to “Burning Daylight” discussion, visit the event page at jacklondonpark.com.

For the “Burning Daylight” discussion on Aug 21, meet in the main picnic area above the Ranch parking lot for the discussion.

Refreshments will be served. Call 938-5216 for questions or more information.

Jack London State Historic Park is located at 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen.