The Valley of the Moon
by Jack London
"Valley of the Moon" follows the adventures of Billy and Saxon Roberts in search of land where they could make their way from Oakland's labor-grueling at the turn of the century to Central and Northern California on their own — a journey that reflects Jack London's own escape from urban poverty. As London lost hope for the prospects of the socialist party and organized labor, it began to explore a scientifically and environmentally sound approach to agriculture. In his novel, Saxon, London's most fully-realized protagonist, embodies these concerns. The Valley of the Moon is a tribute in London to his second wife, Charmian, the idyllic life, and Glen Ellen, his farm in the Valley of the Moon.
