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 Barsoom is the banth (bantha) the great Barsoomian lion. You will also encounter the Sith, a huge creature part wasp, part scorpion. The hero, John Carter, dies at the onset of the first 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.
In comparison to his other books in the Mars series, this book, the most poorly written. Comparing them is akin to comparing Jules Verne to his grandson Michel. The book is really two novellas: John Carter and the Giant of Mars and Skeleton Men of Jupiter. New strains and old evils of Martians emerge to abduct Dejah Thoris again and to threaten Helium with destruction. Finally, though, the Martians have some new technology: telecommunications, parachutes, and anti-aircraft guns. Yet they still prefer to do battle with swords. The final story leaves us in a cliff-hanger with John Carter on Jupiter about to be reunited with Dejah Thorisso it would seem. We are left uncertain also of their return to Mars. This last story was written in 1942; could another book have been planned? Burroughs died eight years later: plenty of time for a resolution and a happy ending. So what happened? Did he lose interest in this project, or like Verne, Collins, and Hemingway, are there notes out there somewhere waiting to be discovered?
In comparison to his other books in the Mars series, this book, the most poorly written. Comparing them is akin to comparing Jules Verne to his grandson Michel. The book is really two novellas: John Carter and the Giant of Mars and Skeleton Men of Jupiter. New strains and old evils of Martians emerge to abduct Dejah Thoris again and to threaten Helium with destruction. Finally, though, the Martians have some new technology: telecommunications, parachutes, and anti-aircraft guns. Yet they still prefer to do battle with swords. The final story leaves us in a cliff-hanger with John Carter on Jupiter about to be reunited with Dejah Thorisso it would seem. We are left uncertain also of their return to Mars. This last story was written in 1942; could another book have been planned? Burroughs died eight years later: plenty of time for a resolution and a happy ending. So what happened? Did he lose interest in this project, or like Verne, Collins, and Hemingway, are there notes out there somewhere waiting to be discovered?
book 11 of the Martian series, copyright 1964
