Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of A Princess of Mars (Barsoom / John Carter of Mars, Bk 1)

A Princess of Mars (Barsoom / John Carter of Mars, Bk 1)
reviewed on + 813 more book reviews


Burroughs is the next step after Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. Look for some parallel names that have been adapted in Star Wars. Warriors are called jed; their leader jeddak (jeddi). The great beast of Bantoom is the banth (bantha). The hero, John Carter, dies at the onset of each book to be mysteriously reincarnated on Mars (called Barsoom by the Martians), alternating for ten-year periods. Look for vivid descriptions of wield aliens and creatures of Mars as well a sketchy technological advancement. On land they move around on beasts (called thoats) but also have large number of airframesreferred to as ships and thus have navies, not air forces (again Star Wars)ranging from battle ships to one-person fliers (These seem to be merely open-air platforms: no cabin whatsoever). In spite of this, most fightingand there is a wealth of itis done with long-swords (the early Star Wars light sabers). The butchery seems to have no end; it is the major vocation and pastime. John Carter, prospector, dies and is reincarnated for ten years on Mars where he becomes a superhero of the first water. In this Carter rescues an unbelievably gorgeous princess, wrecks havoc on several tribes, alters some Martian philosophy, and ultimately becomes Jeddak of a major metropolis.