Jack London was born John Griffith Chaney on January 12, 1876, in San Francisco. He was disowned by his biological father, William Henry Chaney. His mother, Flora Wellman, married John London later in September that year, with her husband giving her son his last name. Young John became "Jack" to distinguish his name from his adoptive father's name. London lived most of his life in the San Francisco Bay area, and as a youngster roamed the streets of the cities. In 1883, at age seven, London began drinking beer, which soon led to alcoholism and spending much of his free time as an adolescent in rough, rowdy bars.

Some of the most exciting of London's adventures took place in San Francisco Bay, where in 1891, London became an oyster pirate. The dangerous and illegal occupation threw him in with very rough people.

Drinking himself into a stupor became a way of life...