Almost unknown to modern readers, Burning Daylight was one of the best-selling books of 1910 and became Jack London’s most successful work during his lifetime. This gripping novel takes place in the Yukon Territory in 1893, where the main character, Elam Harnish, nicknamed “Burning Daylight”, rises to become the most successful entrepreneur of the Alaskan Gold Rush.

The character of Elam Harnish is partially based on the real-life figure of Oakland entrepreneur “Borax” Smith. After making his fortune in Alaska, Burning Daylight brings his wealth back to the United States, only to be swindled by the financial elite. He regains his lost fortune at gunpoint and then heads to California, where he builds another empire through unscrupulous means. However, his life of corruption takes an unexpected turn when he finds redemption through the love of a woman.

Burning Daylight showcases Jack London’s unparalleled ability to capture the rugged beauty and untamed ferocity of the Western American landscape. This novel not only provides a fictionalized account of the Yukon gold rush, but it also offers rich historical insights, coupled with action-packed sequences that keep readers engaged.

For fans of historical fiction and adventure stories, Burning Daylight by Jack London is a must-read. Its blend of personal transformation, entrepreneurial ambition, and the harsh realities of the frontier make it a timeless classic in American literature. Jack London‘s masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions of the Yukon and California wilderness create a compelling narrative that continues to captivate readers today.