Goliah

In Goliah, Jack London delivers a startling vision of a world shaken by a single, unseen genius. When the richest industrialists and most powerful politicians receive a strange summons from a man calling himself Goliah, the public dismisses it as madness—until death follows disobedience. As governments, militaries, and global systems confront an unknown force, society teeters between terror and transformation. London blends speculative science with political prophecy, asking whether humanity can survive absolute power wielded in the name of peace. Written with urgency and imagination, Goliah explores the dangers of unchecked authority, the fragility of social systems, and the seductive promise of a perfectly ordered world. The story unfolds on a global scale, moving from private disbelief to worldwide reckoning, while maintaining relentless tension. This is early science fiction at its boldest—visionary, unsettling, and eerily prescient. Jack London was one of the most influential American writers of the early 20th century, best known for The Call of the Wild and White Fang. Beyond adventure fiction, London was deeply engaged with social theory, politics, and the future of humanity. In Goliah, London channels his fascination with power, technology, and social evolution, producing a work that feels shockingly modern. His ability to combine storytelling with radical ideas makes this story a cornerstone of early speculative fiction.