Jack London was one of the first writers to earn a living in part from his writings in commercial fiction magazines. London became a socialist and his writings reflect this change in his political views. Written on the beach in Hawaii in 1917, Jerry of the Islands is the story of an Irish terrier who traveled around the South Seas. Jack London was inspired to write this story after sailing with a sea captain and his dog Peggy. While traveling among the cannibal islands the cruelty of unnecessary racism underlies this adventure story. Having traveled extensively in this area allowed Jack London to add depth and detail to this animal adventure