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Go to My LibraryJohn Barleycorn: "Alcoholic Memoirs" (Oxford World's Classics)
- Language
- English
- Published in
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Pages
- 288
- ISBN
- 9780192837172
Subjects
Original edition details
Other editions (130)
Other editions
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • Courier Dover Publications
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Digireads.com Publishing
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Read Books
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Bibliotech Press
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2017 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • 1st World Library - Literary Society
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • Frederick Ellis
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Bibliotech Press
English
John Barleycorn : By Jack London - Illustrated
2017 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US
English
John Barleycorn
2017 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn From the Cantata 'Folk Songs of the Four Seasons' : for Unison Treble Chorus with Semi-chorus SA and Piano
1995 • Oxford University Press
English
John Barleycorn
2012 • Bottom of the Hill Publishing
English
John Barleycorn
2012 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
1998 • Amereon Ltd
English
John Barleycorn
2014 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • 1st World Publishing
English
John Barleycorn
2004 • Kessinger Publishing, LLC
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • BiblioBazaar
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • BiblioBazaar
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Lulu.com
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2013 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • Book Jungle
English
John Barleycorn
2001 • Blue Unicorn Edition, LLC
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • Echo Library
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Blurb
English
John Barleycorn : Large Print
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Large Print
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Mint Editions
English
John Barleycorn
2012 • Start Publishing LLC
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2007 • Dodo Press
English
John Barleycorn
2003 • Quiet Vision Publishing
English
Alborada del arte lírico en Costa Rica
2006 • J. Molina S.
Spanish
Bir Alkoligin Anilari
2015 • Alfa Basim Yayim Dagitim
Turkish
John Barleycorn
2004 • Wildside Press, LLC
English
John Barleycorn by Jack London, Fiction, Classics
2006 • Aegypan
English
John Barleycorn
2014 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
1998 • Classic Books
English
John Barleycorn: "Alcoholic Memoirs" (Oxford World's Classics)
2009 • Oxford University Press
English
John Barleycorn: or, Alcoholic Memoirs
1990 • Signet Classics
English
John Barleycorn By Jack London - Illustrated
2017 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn : Large Print
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2017 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Limited Edition
2022 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn With Original Illustrations
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2001 • Turtleback
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Pink Deluxe Edition
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn (Turkish Edition)
2019 • Yordam Kitap
Turkish
John Barleycorn : Limited Edition
2022 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Lion Premium Edition
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Large Print
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn LT
2000 • Blue Unicorn Edition, LLC
English
John Barleycorn Large Print
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn : Large Print
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Digireads.com Publishing
English
John Barleycorn
2014 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn : Large Print
2018 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2014 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Blurb, Incorporated
English
John Barleycorn Illustrated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
1968 • Greenwood Press
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Large Print
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn : Large Print
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2017 • Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn (1913): is an autobiographical novel
2018 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2009 • eBooksLib
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn : Great Classics
2018 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn : Large Print
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2001 • Turtleback Books
English
John Barleycorn
2022 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn : Happy Halloween (Special Halloween Edition)
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Gold Deluxe Edition
2020 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Blurb, Incorporated
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2019 • Karbon Kitaplar
English
John Barleycorn
2004 • Oda Yayinlari
Turkish
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2016 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
John Barleycorn : Large Print
2019 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn Annotated
2021 • Independently Published
English
John Barleycorn
2018 • CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
English
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Rating Sources
The reviews consistently praise Jack London's "John Barleycorn" as a powerful, honest, and compelling autobiography that offers profound insight into the author's adventurous life and his complex relationship with alcohol. Reviewers highlight London's exceptional, sharp, and evocative writing, with passages frequently described as poetic, revelatory, and deeply insightful. The book is lauded for its raw sincerity, as London courageously lays bare his experiences and masterfully personifies alcohol as "John Barleycorn," transforming the vice into a vivid, central character. Many appreciate its unique perspective on the social and cultural aspects of drinking in early 20th-century America, exploring themes of companionship, virility, and the escapism that alcohol provided, particularly for working-class men. Its observations on addiction are noted for their timeless relevance, resonating with modern understanding even though the book predates formal addiction science and recovery programs.
However, the reviews also point out several areas of criticism. A recurring concern is London's consistent denial of being an alcoholic throughout the narrative, despite chronicling a life heavily impacted by drink. Critics note his "macho pride" and belief in a "superior constitution" that supposedly allowed him to out-drink others, which some find contradictory or indicative of self-deception inherent in addiction. Some reviewers find the book repetitive, particularly in London's frequent assertions about not enjoying the taste of alcohol or his capacity to abstain, which can feel like an attempt to convince the reader or himself. While London advocates for prohibition, many consider this stance simplistic or historically naive, especially in light of the later failures of the Prohibition era, arguing that this focus sometimes obscures a more nuanced understanding of alcoholism as a disease. Furthermore, the book is not a conventional autobiography, often prioritizing drinking episodes over other details of London's rich and varied life, which may disappoint readers seeking a broader memoir. A professional perspective specifically highlights that the book's ending, where London expresses a belief in his ability to drink moderately, is inconsistent with current knowledge about alcohol dependence and exemplifies denial.
Despite these complexities and the author's own biases, "John Barleycorn" is widely considered a profoundly important and engaging work. It stands as a powerful, albeit subjective, examination of human addiction and its societal context. The book is highly recommended for Jack London fans seeking deeper insight into his personal struggles and philosophical reflections. It also holds significant value for those interested in the history of alcohol consumption in America, social commentary, and the early understanding of addiction. It is particularly insightful for substance abuse professionals, family members of those struggling with addiction, and anyone wishing to understand the internal world of a person grappling with a severe drinking problem, offering a raw and unflinching look at the human condition.
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