Jack London

John Barleycorn Jack London

Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One's Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences is a philosophical and autobiographical treatise. It is best known as the source of the famous quotation "Je pense, donc je suis" which occurs in Part IV of the work. A similar argument, without this precise wording, is found in Meditations on First Philosophy 1641, and a Latin version of the same statement Cogito, ergo sum is found in Principles of Philosophy 1644. John Barleycorn is an autobiographical novel by Jack London dealing with his enjoyment of drinking and struggles with alcoholism. The title is taken from the British folksong "John Barleycorn". The novel's themes include masculinity and male friendship. London discusses various life experiences he has had with alcohol, and at widely different stages in his life. Key stages are his late teen years when he earned money as a sailor and later in life when he was a wealthy, successful writer.