In 1903, when Jack London first published his novel, The Call of the Wild, the first edition of 10,000 copies sold out immediately. Since that time it has remained as one of the most popular stories by an American writer. London called on his experiences of living in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush where harsh treatment of sled dogs was common. Through his central character, a dog named Buck, he tells a simple but powerful tale of primitive survival, trust and love. H.L. Menken wrote of London's story, "No other popular writer of his time did any better writing than you will find in Call of the Wild.