"The Call of the Wild & White Fang" by Jack London is a compelling exploration of the harsh realities and stark beauty of the wilderness. Published in 1903, "The Call of the Wild" follows the journey of Buck, a domesticated dog who is thrust into the wild Yukon territory, where he must learn to survive and reclaim his primal instincts. In "White Fang," published in 1906, a wild wolf-dog hybrid faces the opposite journey, gradually learning to trust humans and adapt to civilization.