The People of the Abyss is Jack London's riveting exposé of the conditions in the East End of London at the dawn of the 20th century. Stranded in Britain's capital after a cancelled assignment, London poses as a down-on-his-luck sailor and takes up residence in the slums of the East End. Sleeping in shelters and working odd jobs, he discovers a people doomed to poverty and starvation by age and ill health rather than laziness. Complementing his own experiences with extensive research, London delivers a scathing critique of the economic system and a heartfelt plea for compassion. With its tremendous contemporary relevance, The People of the Abyss still has as much power to shock and move as it did over 100 years ago.