The Iron Heel

• • Summary:**

Jack London’s *The Iron Heel*, published in 1908, is a dystopian novel depicting the rise of a socialist movement in the United States that prompts conservatives to establish a tyrannical dictatorship. The narrative unfolds through Avis Everhard's diary, discovered centuries later, with commentary from scholar Anthony Meredith, offering a future perspective on the regime’s oppressive tactics.

Avis, initially skeptical, becomes a socialist advocate after witnessing worker exploitation. The story spans 1912-1932, detailing the emergence of an oligarchy known as the Iron Heel in America, alongside global events like Japan's East Asian conquest and Europe's shift to socialism.

The Oligarchy sustains power through a stratified labor system and mercenaries, exemplified by Asgard, a city symbolizing oppression. Meredith’s insights critique the regime's historical suppression. The novel is noted for its prophetic vision, influencing works such as Orwell’s *1984*, with themes of oppression and diary-based resistance.

Adaptations include Russian films from 1919 and 1999, and a 2016 stage play adapted into a podcast in 2021. The narrative also alludes to the 1933 Business Plot, highlighting real-world parallels to its themes.