The radical side of Jack London brought to life by Jonah Raskin
by Bruce Bellingham

Jonah Raskin, the Sonoma State professor, loves to talk about the political side of Jack London, the famed San Francisco writer (born at 3rd & Brannan) who’s best known for books like The Sea-Wolf and Call of the Wild. 

Jack London’s politics would drive Sarah Palin right up the right-wing wall. 

Raskin will make London come alive with an evening at the Jewish Community Center on Dec. 12 where the London expert (Raskin lives near the ranch in Glen Ellen) will discuss books that have been unavailable for decades. He’ll also talk about the anthology that he’s put together, The Radical Jack London.

Raskin’s own credentials as a radical were solid, with an affiliation with the Yippies and the Weather Underground in the 1960s, but for many years he has renounced all forms of violence. He’s written extensively about Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Aside from biographies and works of literary criticism, Raskin has published several volumes of poetry.

The Radical Jack London: Kanbar Hall, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street (at Presidio); Tuesday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m.; tickets $10–$12 at 415-292-1233 or www.jccsf.org/arts