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


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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, CACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
A year before Tarzan made his debut in a 1912 issue of ALL-STORY MAGAZINE, his creator penned this novel about a former Confederate captain mysteriously transported to the Martian kingdom of Barsoom, where he battles tall four-armed creatures in order to rescue Princess Deja Thoris. The Mars series, which ran for 11 novels, was eclipsed by the Tarzan novels but has remained popular among adventure and science fiction devotees. This reading by Dennis McKee comes across as flat and dreary, undermining the heroic, swashbuckling spirit of the novel. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Book 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.



Download Description
The first volume iin Burroughs' Mars Series has epic adventure, beautiful maidens, green martians and more. A thrill a minute on the Red Planet.


From the Publisher
Great, addictive serial fun. If you read just one the Mars books you'll have to read them all. A perfect book for a sunny day at the beach, a rainy Saturday afternoon or a dark and stormy weeknight.
Teri Henry, Director of Subsidiary Rights


From the Inside Flap
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.

ANNOTATION

The story of a Virginia gentleman who, during the Civil War, is suddenly drawn to Mars by astral projection, to rescue the Princess of Thelium.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Virginia gentleman John Carter, unexpectedly transported to the perilous red planet, Mars, finds himself captured by the loveless Green Men of Thark. As Carter struggles to win his freedom - and the affections of fellow captive Dejah Thoris, princess of the rival clan of Helium - the fate of the entire planet hangs in the balance: warring Martian tribes collide and the beleaguered Atmosphere Factory grinds to a suffocating halt.

SYNOPSIS

First Published - 1912. John Carter, a Virginia Civil War officer, is transported mysteriously to Mars. There he meets and befriends Tars Tarkas, who with Carter's help rises to become Jeddak of Thark, and Carter falls in love with Dejah Thoris, princess of Helium. Carter and Dejah Thoris settle in Helium for almost ten years, where they have an egg (in which a son forms), but just before the five-year incubation period ends someone assassinates the keeper of the atmosphere plant and his assistant. Carter helps the Barsoomians open and restart the plant, but he passes out from lack of air and awakes to find himself again on Earth.

FROM THE CRITICS

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.

AudioFile

A year before Tarzan made his debut in a 1912 issue of All-Story Magazine, his creator penned this novel about a former Confederate captain mysteriously transported to the Martian kingdom of Barsoom, where he battles tall four-armed creatures in order to rescue Princess Deja Thoris. The Mars series, which ran for 11 novels, was eclipsed by the Tarzan novels but has remained popular among adventure and science fiction devotees. This reading by Dennis McKee comes across as flat and dreary, undermining the heroic, swashbuckling spirit of the novel. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

AudioFile - Don Wismer