Far to the north, in the frozen wastes of Polar Mars, lay the home of the Holy Therns, sacred and inviolate. Only John Carter dared to go there to find his lost Dejah Thoris. But between him and his goal lay the bones of all who had gone before. Imagine, if you can, a bald-faced hornet of your Earthly experience grown to the size of a prize Hereford bull, and you will have some faint conception of the winged monster that bore down upon me. Frightful jaws in front and a might, poisoned string behind made my relatively puny long-sword seem a pitiful defense indeed. Nor could I hope to escape the lightning-like movements or hide from these myriad faced eyes which covered three-fourths of the hideous head, permitting the creature to see in all directions at once. To flee was useless, even if it had ever been to my liking to turn my back upon a danger; so I stood my ground, my only hope to die as i had always lived--fighting.
I must admit to having sort of cut my teeth on the stories of John Carter and this author. Here the tale continues. I enjoy SiFi and enjoy pulp fiction. Here we have some of the best of both. The author's imagination is without match and his characters truely jump off the page. I first started reading the John Carter series well over fifty years ago, and must admit to going back ever few years and rereading the entire group. This is one of my favories. Recommend this one highly.
Yes - a trilogy!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
Yes, the books (all 11!) are great works, despite the quaint narrative in use at that time.I would like to take (small) issue with the remarks of "_Vegas_" though. The first three books were indeed intended as a trilogy, and were marketed as such in the early part of the 20th cenury, in "THE ALL-STORY" magazine. The fact that the first three books cover a continuous story, with a definite conclusion in this third book, also points to it being written a true trilogy. Please do not allow yourself to be confused by the fact that 7 (or 8) more "John Carter" novels succeeded this one.
Read All Eleven
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Suffice it to say that I very much enjoyed reading all 11 of the ERB John Carter of Mars books as evidenced by my rating. That's right, eleven. I am not sure why two previous reviewers referred to a `trilogy'. There are, in fact, seven more volumes in the original series and an additional volume published posthumously from manuscripts obtained through Burroughs' estate. The remaining books, in order, are:4 Thuvia, Maid of Mars5 The Chessmen of Mars6 The Master Mind of Mars7 A Fighting man of Mars8 Swords of Mars9 Synthetic Men of Mars10 Llana of Gathol11 John Carter of Mars
Just as good as the other
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
Edgar Rice Burroughs novels have been handed down to me from my father who received them from his father. I just wanted to let readers know that around the age of 15 or so, I read all of Buroughs' novels. From the Tarzan stories to Carson of Venus to John Carter and Mars to the westerns to everything. Even though you can see the similiarities in all in how they were written with the same segments, I thought all the books were fascinating and well done. Considering the fact that these were written as early as 1900, the stories of Mars and Venus show the brilliance of Rice Burroughs. Lets not forget about David Ins ( i believe that was his name ) and the stories of the earths core. Burroughs was well ahead of his time and I am greatful that I was able to enjoy them.
Desert Island Classic
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
If I had to be stuck on a desert island with only ten books, the Barsoomian trilogy (Princess of Mars, Gods of Mars, and Warlord of Mars) would be three of them. Warlord wraps up the tale as Carter takes up the trail of the incomparable Dejah Thoris, following her captors to the hidden cities of the polar regions, culminating in a battle that settles the future of Barsoom. All the breathless adventure, daring swordplay, hairsbreadth escapes, and dry humor you could ask for. Even more in control of his material than in the other two excellent volumes, Burroughs challenges himself both to keep in the established material about Barsoom and still invent new elements. If you have not read the Barsoomian trilogy, and you love SF adventure, buy it NOW! You will re-read it with delight the rest of your life.
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