A Princess of Mars

A Princess of Mars is the opening work of the "Mars series" (also known as the "John Carter of Mars" series) by the American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was first serialized in a magazine in 1912 under the title "Under the Moons of Mars" and published as a book in 1917; the complete series comprises eleven volumes. The story begins after the American Civil War: John Carter, a former captain of cavalry in the Confederate army, and his old friend James Powell, a prospecting expert, go to the mountains of Arizona in search of gold. While maneuvering against enemies to save his friend, Carter loses his way; after falling into a stupor he awakens to find himself on Mars. Mars's gravity is far weaker than Earth's, giving Carter astonishing leaping ability and physical prowess, though the thin air often leaves him struggling. He is captured by the tall, six-armed green Martians, the Tharks, wins the friendship of their leader Tars Tarkas through bravery and intelligence, and gradually learns the Martian language and customs. He later rescues the beautiful and clever red Martian princess Dejah Thoris, becomes embroiled in the conflicts among the city-states, mediates between the two peoples and distinguishes himself in battle, and finds love. After their marriage he spends ten peaceful years on Mars, until he is struck down while trying to start the atmosphere plant and awakens back in an Arizona cave on Earth. The book is tightly plotted and richly imaginative, one of the representative works of "space opera" science fiction, and has had a profound influence on later planetary adventure stories.