A Princess of Mars (Royal Collector's Edition) (Case Laminate Hardcover with Jacket)

by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Overview

John Carter, a Confederate veteran, finds himself transported to Mars after the Civil War, where he discovers he has extraordinary physical abilities due to the planet's different gravity and atmosphere. Amidst Mars' diverse species and complex politics, Carter becomes a leader among the Tharks, a tribe of fierce green Martians, and embarks on a perilous adventure to save Dejah Thoris, the princess of the red Martians. His quest throws him into the heart of Martian conflicts, pitting him against the predatory Zodanga state, escalating his adventures into a grand battle for peace and justice.

A Princess of Mars marks a pivotal point in the evolution of science fiction literature. This novel not only pioneered the planetary romance subgenre - blending elements of fantasy with adventurous swordplay and distant worlds - but also integrated themes from Westerns, setting its narrative on a desolate, dying Mars, as imagined through the once-popular astronomical theories of Percival Lowell. Its profound influence extended beyond literature, inspiring future science fiction legends and scientific minds alike, shaping both the narrative style and the thematic exploration of space and extraterrestrial civilizations in modern sci-fi.

This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781778785306
Publisher:	Royal Classics
Publication date:	05/14/2024
Pages:	172
Sales rank:	751,511
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

Edgar Rice Burroughs (September 1, 1875 - March 19, 1950) was an American writer best known for his creations of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter, although he produced works in many genres. Aiming his work at the pulps, Burroughs had his first story, Under the Moons of Mars, serialized in The All-Story in 1912 - under the name "Norman Bean" to protect his reputation. Under the Moons of Mars inaugurated the Barsoom series and earned Burroughs $400. It was first published as a book in 1917, entitled A Princess of Mars, after three Barsoom sequels had appeared as serials and McClurg had published the first four serial Tarzan novels as books. Burroughs soon took up writing full-time, and by the time the run of Under the Moons of Mars had finished he had completed two novels, including Tarzan of the Apes. Burroughs also wrote popular science fiction and fantasy stories involving adventurers from Earth transported to various planets (notably Barsoom, Burroughs's fictional name for Mars), lost islands, and into the interior of the hollow earth in his Pellucidar stories. He also wrote westerns and historical romances. Tarzan was a cultural sensation when introduced. Burroughs was determined to capitalize on Tarzan's popularity in every way possible. He planned to exploit Tarzan through several different media including a syndicated Tarzan comic strip, movies and merchandise. Experts in the field advised against this course of action, stating that the different media would just end up competing against each other. Burroughs went ahead, however, and proved the experts wrong - the public wanted Tarzan in whatever fashion he was offered.