World Famous Comics: A Princess of Mars (Mars (del Rey Books Numbered))
A Princess of Mars (Mars (del Rey Books Numbered))
By: Edgar Rice Burroughs Publisher: Del Rey Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Label: Del Rey Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 160 Publication Date: December 12, 1985 Release Date: December 12, 1985
Product Description: Suddenly projected to Mars, John Carter found himself captive of the savage green men of Thark. With him was Dejah Thoris, lovely Princess of Helium. And between them and rescue lay a thousand miles of deadly enemies and unknown dangers.
Amazon.com: Although Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950) is justifiably famous as the creator of Tarzan of the Apes, that uprooted Englishman was not his only popular hero. Burroughs's first sale (in 1912) was A Princess of Mars, opening the floodgates to one of the must successful--and prolific--literary careers in history. This is a wonderful scientific romance that perhaps can be best described as early science fiction melded with an epic dose of romantic adventure. A Princess of Mars is the first adventure of John Carter, a Civil War veteran who unexpectedly find himself transplanted to the planet Mars. Yet this red planet is far more than a dusty, barren place; it's a fantasy world populated with giant green barbarians, beautiful maidens in distress, and weird flora and monstrous fauna the likes of which could only exist in the author's boundless imagination. Sheer escapism of the tallest order, the Martian novels are perfect entertainment for those who find Tarzan's fantastic adventures aren't, well, fantastic enough. Although this novel can stand alone, there are a total of 11 volumes in this classic series of otherworldly, swashbuckling adventure. --Stanley Wiater
A rollicking fun adventure I read plenty of pulp fiction, sword and sorcery, etc. when I was a foolish young teenager (and even before). Years later, I reread some of them and was disappointed, even appalled. Had I enjoyed reading such dreck? Imagine my delight when I finally read "A Princess of Mars" and found it just as fun as the first time! Don't get me wrong. There is nothing profound here, no literary brilliance for the ages or anything like that. The "science" of the science fiction here is often questionable, though it helps to keep in mind that some of the sillier-sounding things were not so far-fetched when it was written. But if you want a good, clean, fast-paced adventure you can do a lot worse than this, and the numerous sequels. There is little excess verbiage, unlike most modern action novels I've tried, and you will probably tear through this and want more.
One thing I'll point out is the airship warfare depicted in the novels. Today it sounds quaint. Before they were displaced by airplanes, the airships really were terrors of the skies, just as lethal as the book depicts. Imagine those cute Goodyear blimps overhead, raining down fire and death instead of running ads, and you will have some appreciation of the potential of airships in a world without heavier-than-air flying machines.
The one that started it all. I won't rehash the plot; plenty of reviewers here tell what the story is about. I will say, though, that this book begins the career of Edgar Rice Burroughs and that it's success leads the author to create Tarzan, Pellucidar, and many other stories. And more Barsoom! John Carter, Confederate veteran, fights, runs, leaps, loves, befriends and brings the races of dying Mars together when he isn't busy waging war or rescuing maidens. Actually, he brings the races of dying Mars together WHILE waging war and rescuing maidens. One can clearly see how Tars Tarkas begat Chewbacca, and how John Carter himself begat Flash Gordan, Luke Skywalker, and Superman... yes, Superman. And the second book, _The Gods of Mars_, is even better!
Antique book Purchase was smooth, delivery prompt and well packaged. The book's condition was excellent for its age.
Super Reader Take a brawny Virginian adventurer, and get him to the Red Planet. Have him captured by aliens. Let there be a beautiful woman with an exotic name for him to fall for. Add a castastrophic failure of technology that could doom the planet except for the slim chance that John Carter, our hero, can save the day.
Not to mention the odd battle or war.
Mars rocks!.....Even in 1912...If you love sci fi this is a must read Mars rocks....even in 1912 I just finished read A Princess Of Mars by Mr. Burroughs. Its amazing to note that he wrote this in 1912. The science sounds plausible and for those items where he can't nail things down he has the 9 rays of the sun to account for anti gravity and an atmosphere generator to overcome the problems of Mars atmosphere. As for John Carters transport to Mars, I don't know if future novels attempt to explain that but I am going with the initial transit due to something in that cave where the knock out / paralysis gas (?) overcame him. After that he is transported back one can assume in much the same fashion as Star Trek like transporters. Perhaps its all due to some mad scientist sort of overlord trying to utilize heavy gravity earth man to kick start a stagnant society. He is perhaps called back and returned due to a tracking implant within his body. Obviously at the height of Martian culture hundreds of thousands of years ago they may have achieved nuclear power but I am willing to overlook that that has been lost or perhaps become culturally unacceptable knowledge In the end if you respect the story and are a little awed at his guesses, mad and otherwise, at building his novels Mars back in 1912. Mr. Burroughs was at the dawn of flight and we only had inklings of the power of radium and there weren't even diving tanks for scuba diving yet.. I loved the wireless guided explosive bullet rifle, enjoyed the enormous flying battleships powered by antigravity, the mention of powerful telescopes that inform them of the Earth and in a couple of ways that shall go unmentioned I dug the well nigh impregnable fortress for the atmosphere generator. This is a fast paced novel and within the first 30 pages much has happened and you know a number of things about mars. So hang on tight and enjoy the ride and though written in 1912 you will be impressed.
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