In another article came this statement: “The momentary pangs of the war could be compensated for in time by the benefits it would confer spiritually.” During the course of the war, however, Jim not only penned magazine articles, but he also turned out such novels of major rank as “The Hunted Woman,” in 1916, and the sequel to “Kazan,” “Baree, Son of Kazan,” which was published in 1917.
After the world’s first great tragedy, Jim’s books began selling faster than they had before the war. Still, despite the fast sales of his books, some critics were very harsh toward him.
In 1910, James Oliver Curwood made one great mistake of his life. He started playing the stock market. Jim invested a sizeable sum of money and immediately realized a profit of over $100.00. This encouraged him to further speculation, and in a short space of time he lost all his savings.
Now there remained but one thing for him to do. So, with his wife, Jim left for the wilderness once again. From his countless number of friends Jim borrowed the necessary money for expenses.
This time, the Curwoods went deeper into the wilds of upper Canada than they had ever gone before, and buried themselves completely away from civilization. Here Jim Curwood picked up his implement of trade and commenced writing another one of his famous novels. He had no idea of what he was going to write, except that he had to write something which would sell.
Buried deep in the beautiful wilderness of the Canadian Northwest, where lakes and streams run deep and the forests are thick and quiet, from Jim’s pen came the wonderful, romantic adventure story of “The Honor of the Big Snows,” the story of little Melisse and Jan Thoreau, a book which was, in time, hailed as another great Curwood masterpiece. Again Jim had money and again with the arrival of spring, Jim and Ethel left the wilderness and headed back to civilization. He was cured of gambling.
Shortly before the release of “The Honor of the Big Snows,” Jim’s contract with the Bobbs-Merrill Company expired. Immediately, Harper and Brothers brought out his works which included “Flower of the North,” published in 1912.
After some time with Harper, Jim Curwood began to grow desperate and returned to Bobbs-Merrill. Upon renewing partnership with the Indianapolis firm, “Kazan” appeared. He had taken this fine story to Bobbs-Merrill hoping that it would become as popular and famous as “The Call of the Wild.” However, the critics denied Jim this honor in their many reviews of “Kazan.” Despite the reviews the book later sold in great quantities, particularly in England and later in the cheaper American editions.
“By the time ‘Kazan’ was written I had made five trips into the wilderness about Hudson Bay. Thrice had I gone into the Arctic and spent a winter with the Esquimaux. I had crossed the great Barrens four times and explored the unknown regions of British Columbia and the Yukon country.”
Regardless of the critics’ adverse criticism, “Kazan” enjoyed an immense sale, and continued to do so for many years afterward. This book is rated by all Curwood admirers as one of his best, regardless of the opinion of the literary critics. The partnership with Bobbs-Merrill continued until the latter part of 1914, when Jim left to join Doubleday, Page and Company of New York City (now Doubleday, Doran and Company).