Rating: 
Summary: In my personal top ten
Review: This book is on my top ten list of favorite books; it is painful and wonderful at the same time, and I have passed it on to many of my friends. I think that reading this book is a tremendous way to get into someone else's psyche and help us understand other ways of thinking, and to help us re-evaluate our own. If you don't know anything about Jack London, you will be compelled to find out more about him, and to read more of his work.
Rating:
Summary: Jack London's Magnum Opus
Review: This definitely isn't the type of a book I would expect from Jack London but in my opinion should be regarded higher in achievement of his work, even more than "Call of The Wild." While "Call of the Wild" is just concerned with the Spencerian and Darwinian 'Survival Of The Fittest' side of Jack London; "Martin Eden" represents the many sides of London: The poet, lover, seaman, self-willed individualist, philosopher, socialist and tormented writer. After reading "Martin Eden," all I can say I am angered that this book isn't considered an American classic. I would say it is in rival with Eugene O'Neill's finest moments.I do not want to dwell so much on the plot because I do admit the plot is nothing new but it is the writing that counts. Simply put it, it is about a seaman who gets turned onto the world of class and literature and rigorously fights for mastering both worlds by spending all hours of the day and being frugal with money to achieve his dreams. As we later see, Martin Eden realizes the falsehoods of The American Dream and Individualism. While the back of the book claims that this book is an attack on Individualism, that is very curious because Jack London himself aside from being a Socialist, was an individualist and adapted the Nietzchean idea of Will to Power. This book was written around the time of "The Iron Heel" so I suspect London was going through his socialist days. This is such great writing that I would never consider myself an individualist but I felt myself throughout the book inspired of Martin Eden's will power and ambition. As a writer, I wanted to send my work to magazines after reading "Martin Eden." "Martin Eden" is truly an American masterpiece of Literature and should be more widely read. Anyone who still thinks Jack London is a writer for kids and Darwinists must read "Martin Eden" and you shall see that his was an indispensable writer in all regards.
Rating:
Summary: lighting a fire for truth and beauty and knowledge
Review: This has just shaped up to be my personal favorite book of all time. Eloquently written, Martin Eden is not only a grand story about society's attitude to true wisdom and true love, it is a man's developing romanticism; turning out to be a tribute to truth and knowledge and beauty... and it light's a passion for all things noble, for the creative person.
Rating:
Summary: A writer's book
Review: This is a book about becoming real in a world of unreal people. Not many of London's regular fans liked this book, a little too real for them I suppose. But, writers love this book and with good reason. If you write and haven't read this, put it in your shopping cart right now. If you're looking for a classic Jack London adventure story, skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: A timeless work worthy of reverence.
Review: This is a masterpiece which I truly enjoyed. Any and all should devote a few lazy evening hours to London's semi-autobiographical novel. Note: Read Sinclair's introduction last, after you've finished the main text.
Rating:
Summary: Initials are no Coincidence
Review: This is an autobiography, as Martin Eden's initials M.E. clearly indicate. It's about the artistic work ethic, and all true artists should read it.
Rating:
Summary: Jack London's Best Of The Best
Review: This is Jack London's fictionalized story, a Paul Bunyonesque tale of the power and strength of the spirit. More than anything, this book is about individualism: a man's life-and-death attempt to overcome his working class background and launch himself into what he thinks will be the culture and rationality of the upper class. Martin Eden wants to write so as to impress the dainty, middle-class girl of his dreams: her of the frail and conformist nature. In this quest, no barrier is to large, no pain too great, but in the end, as he triumphs as a writer, he finds the results empty and barren, the people he meets at the top, as shallow and vacant as those he sought to escape. "Where are all the great giants?" he asks himself. Together with London's hard-hitting and powerful prose, the book is a masterpiece for the ages: the bold, fearless individual pursuing the inner vision of a different life. Although set around the turn of the century, the message of this book is as relevant today as it was the day it was published.
Rating: 
Summary: Martin Eden
Review: When looking for leisure reading material, I would definitely recommend Jack London's, Martin Eden. If you are not used to London's word usage, you might be caught off guard. Despite his word usage the reader can still get the main points of the story. This story is one that touches on many topics such as self discovery, tragedy, trust, and the evolution of one's being. As you read Martin Eden you cannot help but identify with the main character in some way. By connnecting with the main character you will find yourself suppporting him in every way. You will celebrate his achievements and console him in his many failures. All of which make for an engaging novel. Those individuals that wish to cheer for Jack London's "Rocky" should read this novel.
Once you start this novel you will not want to put it down until you have completed it.
Rating:
Summary: London¿s Eden: Lost Paradise
Review: While living for a year in the former Soviet Union, I was often told that a favorite professor's or respected friend's most-admired author was -- Jack London. When I responded that he was known only vaguely by my generation as an adventurer and a ruffian, my Soviet friends gently shook their heads and regarded me as an ignoramus.
My spotty education aside, I did recall London only carelessly through some snaggly-toothed wolf in a novel of his, read in junior high and not afterwards. Nearly a year after I'd returned to the states, I still hadn't re-read London, and had left my comrades' advice somewhere to rot in a long mental list of "Authors I Must Some Day Read."
On my birthday, then, I was strolling through book-store aisles with my boyfriend, trying helplessly to choose just one tome for a special gift. Hillman? Oh, no. I'll buy that myself, regardless. Nietzshce's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra?" As a birthday gift? Too silly.
London's name cropped up into my mind, only half-so, and I dug vigorously through the L's until I came up with his "Martin Eden."
"Martin Eden" is a beautiful book -- not granted its proper throne in history.
I'm not sure if London was pre-judged as an adventurer, if readers really didn't challenge themselves to dip below his surface - I'm no literary historian - or if, perhaps, if his politics played a role...it's silly to speculate.
Regardless, "Eden" is a daring - if not entirely successful - critique of modern philosophy's most potent force: Nietzshce. It's also a historical novel, a coming-of-age, and a wealth of human insight. His big finish is, yes, overstated. Perhaps because he didsn't ultimately triumph over Nietzsche. But he gives a good right hook and a terrific read.
Editor's note: Enough to rouse a former student and former reader back to a voracious love affair with words.
Here's to Jack London! Cast aside by my generation, may his wild socialist self rise again!
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