Reviews

The Iron Heel: New special edition by Jack London

ssaudadee's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

markiexiv's review against another edition

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5.0

The book achieves the introduction to socialism 101 type thing whilst being entertaining.

Starts off hilariously self indulgent for the first few chapters, then goes on to be quite Insightful in explaining some critiques of capitalism, but also, and perhaps more usefully, techniques the system uses to sublimate and crush dissent (mental asylums for dissidents, how all institutions are beholden to the system explained very simply etc). Most people who consider themselves oppositional to the system today shamefully have a lesser understanding of our situation than he did a century ago, despite the fact there is even more to critique and analyse today...

One funny thing it gets wrong which he borrowed from H.G. Wells is the ascribing of the worship of beauty and vain construction of mega-cities by the bourgeoisie. If only Wells and London knew how had things would really get!

jgkubik's review against another edition

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challenging reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

wa_otto's review against another edition

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4.0

Great Dystopian fiction.

camiloalcantara's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The best book I've read in years. Everyone must read it. It represents perfectly many situations from our reality.

rika_5599's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

rowan_was_reading's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

lillian_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

cmjustice's review against another edition

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3.0

His prescient understanding of the political possibilities seem chillingly accurate. The writing is generally good although weak in places, dated of course, but an entertaing read.

escapedillinois's review against another edition

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3.0

Lot of parallels between this story set 100 years ago and the current situation with President Caligula. Hopefully not all prophetic.