One of the greatest American storytellers, Jack London enjoyed phenomenal popularity in his own time and remains widely read throughout the world. His work is characterized by thrilling action, an intuitive feeling for animal life, and a sense of justice that often manifests itself through violence. The Call of the Wild (1903), perhaps the best novel ever written about animals, traces a dog’s sudden entry into the wild and his education in survival among the wolves. “No other popular writer of his time did any better writing than you will find in The Call of the Wild.”—H. L. Mencken

Among E. L. Doctorow’s (1931–2015) many best-selling novels are Ragtime, World’s Fair, Billy Bathgate, and The March. His latest novel is Homer and Langley (2009). He was a three-time recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award, a two-time recipient of the PEN/Faulkner Award, and a recipient of the National Book Award and the William Dean Howells Medal.