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.
A Princess of Mars
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
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
From Library Journal
Burroughs's first published fiction was Under the Moons of Mars, a wild sf adventure about a man named John Carter who mysteriously finds himself on Mars. Later published in book form as A Princess of Mars (1917), it is arguably the most fun of the 11 Martian tales Burroughs eventually wrote, as almost everything in it is new and strange from the giant four-armed green Martians to the fantastic six-legged thoats. Tarzan may be Burroughs's most famous character, but his Mars stories are still widely read. With few audio versions of these works available, good unabridged recordings are sure to be in demand, so this is recommended for all fiction collections. However, if Blackstone plans further Mars recordings, it would be well advised to offer more energetic readings than that provided here by Dennis McKee, whose interpretations of Martian dialog sound too much like Tarzan introducing himself to Jane. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
You want imagination?..adventure?..a few dabs of science(remember it was written in 1912)?..an ageless hero?..an absolutely beautiful damsel in distress?..a whole new world?..with a language all it's own?..inhabited with strange new creatures?.. friends and foes?..battles royal?..This book, and all 10 or 11 sequels, have it all! ER Burroughs was the early master of science fiction, adventure, and imagination; a man ahead of his time, and he gives the reader a roller-coaster ride of incredible adventures. Join with us now as John Carter meets, rescues,and captures the heart of the INCOMPARABLE Dejah Thoris, Princess of Mars!, and eventually, along with his friend Tars Tarkas, follows suit with the entire red planet, Barsoom to its wild and whacky inhabitants.
Is this intellectual literature?..of course not. Is it non-stop fun and enjoyment, the original page-turner novel?...You bet it is! Pick this book up, start reading, and I guarantee: you won't put it down until you're finished!..and then you'll run out the door and be hunting for the 2nd book in the series, The Gods of Mars, and then # 3, The Warlord of Mars, and on through the series. Be warned: make sure you have access to #'s 2 and 3 before you start The Princess...you'll be sorry if you don't!
I first read the Burroughs Martian novels(there were 10 known to me then) as a graduate student studying Physics, some 40 years ago. They provided the perfect escape from the rigors of courses like Quantum Mechanics and E & M. Now I reread them,and I continue to enjoy. You will too.
120 of 128 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
John Carter, Dejah Thoris, Tars Tarkas, they are all here!
This is the totally unbelievable story of a man who got transported to Mars basically, because he thought it would be cool to go, so he wished it, and POOF, he's there. Then, there's the fact that the planet itself and the life on it are also completely ridiculous. FORGET ALL THAT! Read it to be swept up in one of the greatest adventure series of all time. John Carter goes to Barsoom (Mars, to the Martians) rescues the most beautiful woman in the universe and (later in the series) conquers an entire world through the power of his will and the strength of his right arm. Handsome, powerful heroes, beautiful half naked captive princesses just panting to be rescued, Villians, so evil you want to go back in time to strangle their parents, Big ugly friends, (What are you laughing at, remember Chewbacca?) strange beasts, stranger aliens, wierd science, epic battles, betrayals, great reunions. This one's got it all. The best of Burroughs' body of work, the most action packed series from the true master of the action story. Edgar Rice Burroughs is the creator of Tarzan. Don't ever pick up his work expecting an intellectual workout. Just get in and hang on for the ride
This is the totally unbelievable story of a man who got transported to Mars basically, because he thought it would be cool to go, so he wished it, and POOF, he's there. Then, there's the fact that the planet itself and the life on it are also completely ridiculous. FORGET ALL THAT! Read it to be swept up in one of the greatest adventure series of all time. John Carter goes to Barsoom (Mars, to the Martians) rescues the most beautiful woman in the universe and (later in the series) conquers an entire world through the power of his will and the strength of his right arm. Handsome, powerful heroes, beautiful half naked captive princesses just panting to be rescued, Villians, so evil you want to go back in time to strangle their parents, Big ugly friends, (What are you laughing at, remember Chewbacca?) strange beasts, stranger aliens, wierd science, epic battles, betrayals, great reunions. This one's got it all. The best of Burroughs' body of work, the most action packed series from the true master of the action story. Edgar Rice Burroughs is the creator of Tarzan. Don't ever pick up his work expecting an intellectual workout. Just get in and hang on for the ride
92 of 97 people found the following review helpful
By Fuchsia
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Princess of Mars is a fantastic, wild ride. I think everyone makes a mistake though of saying it's just a guys book. I'm a woman, and it was my mother who recommended Princess to me! I think any girl who's interested in science fiction or fantasy would really enjoy this book. Yeah, it was obviously written with adolescent boys in mind but I think anyone can enjoy this wildly imaginative page turner.
The characters are all extremely likable. John Carter is the perfect southern gentleman. Honorable, loyal, incredibly brave, respectful to women, extremely handsome; a perfect hero who is never boorish or conceited. Then there's Sola, one of the few green Martians to show compassion and kindness, and Tars Tarkas(aren't these names so cool?)a ferocious green martian warrior with a tragic past who is also able to feel compassion and love. And I dare anybody to tell me that they wouldn't want a Woola of their very own! Dejah Thoris though is mainly for the guys. Carter's love and devotion for her was really sweet. I didn't even know that this was part of a book series until I read it on amazon and now I am really eager to read the other books of the series. And wasn't the end cool? I don't think I've ever read an ending quite like that before. What Carter found in the cave at the end was very creepy and intriguing. (I won't give out a spoiler)
Although this is pulp fiction and sort of like a comic book in a way,(I can see mothers in 1912 scolding their kids, "That Edgar Rice Burroughs is going to rot your mind if you keep reading it!") it's still light science fiction at it's best! (I'll warn you right off though, please don't expect something deep and complex like Dune or Darkover and post a review whining about it. Princess is purely for fun.) And am I the only one that thinks Princess would make a really awesome movie?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
John Carter
I read all the books in the john carter series. they were great! it is awe inspiring to think that these were written in the early 1900s. Read more
Published 2 days ago by blaqdragonfli71
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting period piece!
A fun read, I was surprised to find it a little intriguing and having interesting insights. Still, it really is not a challenging read and is a slice of science fiction from the... Read more
Published 4 days ago by N. Ryther
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic for a reason
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. WILL have to read the rest of the stories. Looking forward to it.
Published 5 days ago by Justin T. Eilar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Burroughs ahead of his time
I enjoyed the whole story line. It is sad that he was a great sci-fi writter, but is knowen more for creating Tarzan. Read more
Published 8 days ago by david stanton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mars as you always wanted it to be
Science fiction at It's best. As one looks up to the sky, one always wonder if someone is looking back and could we catch a glimpse of them when they do. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Sharalaina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
No doubt this author had a mind and vision of the future direction which other sci-fi writers would do well to try to understand. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Clark O. Allen
1.0 out of 5 stars
tried
i really tried to read this book several times in order to be fair- but i could not do it no matter how hard i tried- it was an odd story that never went anywhere i could... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Dawn Nordin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
I downloaded the book because of the release of the John Carter movie. Much better than the movie. It's a good psychological exploration of an alien race within the sci-fi genre.
Published 16 days ago by Pablo Ayala
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the film.
John Carter has his first trip to Barsoom. Learning how to cope with Mars and its inhabitants good early Sci-fi
Published 16 days ago by Simon Leigh
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining
Its an easy read yet interesting, the way Burroughs writes the account as if it were a series of diary entries allows the reader to become more involved.
Published 17 days ago by Joshua Braggiato
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 13
books:
See all 13 books this book cites
1
book
cites this book:
- The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- Tarzan of the Apes (Tarzan (Ballantine)) by Edgar Rice Burroughs in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Beasts of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- Tarzan of the Apes (Signet Classics) by Edgar Rice Burroughs in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Beasts of Tarzan: (#3) (Tarzan Novels) by Edgar Rice Burroughs in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
See all 13 books this book cites
- A Dangerous Profession: A Book About the Writing Life by Frederick Busch on page 42
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