The Cruise of the Dazzler

Jack London (1876 - 1916)

Young Joe Bronson, caught between poor grades and his father's threats of military school, runs away from home. He joins the crew of a sloop named the Dazzler, but quickly figures out his captain, Pete Le Maire (nicknamed "French Pete") frequently engages himself and those at his command in criminal activity. Will Joe be able to escape this unwanted and dangerous new life at sea?

Published in 1902, Jack London sold this book (his first full-length novel) as a boy's adventure novel set in San Francisco, his hometown. In his autobiography, London recalls lifting several more elements in this novel from his adolescence, as in youth he bought a sloop called the Razzle Dazzle from a oyster pirate nicknamed "French Frank." - Summary by Mary Kay

Genre(s): Action & Adventure

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Foreword Robert Keiper
00:02:45
Play 01 Chapter I: Brother and Sister Robert Keiper
00:09:20
Play 02 Chapter II: "The Draconian Reforms" Robert Keiper
00:09:56
Play 03 Chapter III: "Brick," "Sorrel-top" and "Reddy" Robert Keiper
00:17:37
Play 04 Chapter IV: The Biter Bitten Robert Keiper
00:08:30
Play 05 Chapter V: Home Again Robert Keiper
00:07:45
Play 06 Chapter VI: Examination Day Robert Keiper
00:13:12
Play 07 Chapter VII: Father and Son Robert Keiper
00:09:13
Play 08 Chapter VIII: 'Frisco Kid and the New Boy Robert Keiper
00:08:30
Play 09 Chapter IX: Aboard the Dazzler Robert Keiper
00:10:12
Play 10 Chapter X: With the Bay Pirates Robert Keiper
00:10:52
Play 11 Chapter XI: Captain and Crew Robert Keiper
00:06:59
Play 12 Chapter XII: Joe Tries to Take French Leave Robert Keiper
00:10:10
Play 13 Chapter XIII: Befriending Each Other Robert Keiper
00:09:10
Play 14 Chapter XIV: Among the Oyster-Beds Robert Keiper
00:12:01
Play 15 Chapter XV: Good Sailors in Wild Anchorage Robert Keiper
00:11:00
Play 16 Chapter XVI: 'Frisco Kid's Ditty-Box Robert Keiper
00:08:53
Play 17 Chapter XVII: 'Frisco Kid Tells His Story Robert Keiper
00:10:46
Play 18 Chapter XVIII: A New Responsibility for Joe Robert Keiper
00:11:16
Play 19 Chapter XIX: The Boys Plan an Escape Robert Keiper
00:08:43
Play 20 Chapter XX: Perilous Hours Robert Keiper
00:10:03
Play 21 Chapter XXI: Joe and His Father Robert Keiper
00:12:02