Jack London (1876—1916) was an American novelist, journalist and social activist. Pioneering the genre of magazine fiction and prototyping science fiction, he became one of the first writers, who gained worldwide fame and a large fortune. "The Cruise of The Dazzler" is an early adventure novel by London, set in his hometown San Francisco. The plot revolves around a young boy Joe Bronson who has trouble at home and at school. The arguments with his father lead him to run away and join the crew of the ship called Dazzler. Joe dreams of a sailor's life full of excitement but he soon realizes that he joined the crew of pirates.