I saw the movie John Carter when it came out and loved it, could never understand why the critics panned it. At the time I didn’t realize it was based on books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I went on to start reading the Tarzan novels and finally made the connection. Picked up A Princess of Mars and enjoyed it, a rip roaring adventure. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Mars series.
The cliff-hanger at the end of the first book... But the cliff-hanger at the end of the second book! And yeah, even something like _Total Recall_ shows the marks of Barsoom.
I read ERB books until they fell apart: Barsoom, Pellucidar, Tarzan, and even the one-shots. Adore them all-action, romance, world building-even when Burroughs is somewhat running on autopilot. So thrilled to see them finding a new audience among your viewers.
Same year as Tarzan was first serialised, too, and then the following year he started the Pellucidar series. Some people are lucky to have one hit in their whole careers, Burroughs made a whole career out of those three...
Wow, you really made me want to pick this up! I’ve been so curious about this author, and I love hearing how something written so long ago can have such forward-reaching ideas and have had influence on so many of our beloved SFF stories. Huge plus about the female character work! Wonderful review!
I read this last month because of your recommendation and I’m surprised that I never read these books when I was a kid. I read a few Tarzan books when I was younger and would like to revisit them now as well as the rest of ERB’s stuff.
Certainly one of the most important works of Science Fiction ever written along with the Lensman Series, Foundation, Dune, and Skylark. Also, the Bikini costume that Leia wears was influenced by the slave costume worn by Laureline in "Valerian And Laureline" more than Dejah Thoris who technically wears no clothing at all only some minor accessories.
I JUST watched the movie for the first time last week and quite enjoyed it. Plus, I'm a big fan of Conan, and I've also read Thongor which is meant to be a mix of Conan and John Carter, so I hope to find time for the Barsoom books sometime!
The movie was shockingly bad as an adaptation of the book. It would have been a decent movie if it had been a stand-alone film not claiming to have anything to do with the book.
Like the Rapid Review Mike. It is an excellent book and well worth a read. I have read the first two books in the John Carter series, then I took a short break (which turned into a year), this will prompt me to pick up the third book in the series after my The Sum Of All Men re-read. Also if you think the first book ends on a cliffhanger wait until the end of the second book.
I literally never considered reading this book till I heard you bring it up over the last month or so. After this video, I am definitely adding it to my TBR. Thanks!
Learn quite a lot today. I'm new in the sci-fi genre but it seems like I'm accidentally passing over an influential series(I own it as well). Guess I know my next read!
I just read it and I thought it was a whole lot of fun. I want to go on with the series. I tell you, the vocab back at the start of 1900s was a lot bigger. I had to look up several words in this.
I remember being about thirteen and asking my mother, "What does 'sill-ill-oh-quai-zed' mean?" She knew right away that I was reading a Tarzan book, because that's what she was reading the first time she encountered that word.
Started reading ERB when I was 10 or so. All the Tarzan, Barsoom, Pellucidar, Venus, the Mucker stuff and anything else in my local library. In my 60s now and I haven't reread any of it since I was a teen. He certainly had a great deal of influence on the authors that came after him. I have no doubt that Robert E Howard was a big ERB fan. Last week I listened to the audio book of the first Tarzan novel while working out. It's quite dated, even silly at times, but still fun to revisit.
I read the Barsoom books when I was 12-13 and absolutely fell in love, you should definitely read his Venus and Pellucidar books if you haven’t already, the man was a master of adventure
Great review for one of the all time great sci-fi stories! Sadly, I discovered this late in life, in my 30's. But I'm glad I did. When you stop and think about all the stories Barsoom inspired...Wow. Burroughs' imagination was staggering, on par with Tolkien's. And you're dead on about the John Carter movie. It's way better than it had any right to be and a crime that it didn't do better.
he may be better known for Tarzan, however John Carter became the template for Superman and Superheroes in general! Really paved the way for pulp heroes.
Looking at my ancient records, I first read this book prior to 1968, and must have reread it in 1971 where I rated it 3 1/2 stars out of five. I rated ERB's Venus series higher. However, somewhere along the way it has become one of my all time favorite books. I read it to the kids at bed time... I guess as a modern adult I wish it was a little richer in characters, and a little less rushed. But still... it's hard to beat as it was written.
I've read the first 4 or 5 books so far, I think. I wish he would have kept John Carter the focus of the later books. Even though I wouldn't call any of them great, I greatly enjoyed every story I have read in the series. There is a charm to the story telling with these books.
I was really introduced to it when a science fiction author I find really influential touted it as the best book to give to boys on the verge of adolescence. I read the books, re-read them, devoured them...and have come to the conclusion that they should be given to boys *and* girls of that age. To boys, to teach them to be a John Carter...to girls, to teach them to *want* a John Carter.
I'd read a number of comic versions but read the actual novel just before the release of the Disney movie. I enjoyed it but but instead of jumping in to further Barsoom books I tried a number of other pulp books such as Tarzan, Doc Savage, Fu Manchu, The Shadow, and others. I thought about returning to some of those but can be hard to find in physical books without paying more than I want. I do remember when I read Princess realizing that DC Comics character, Adam Strange; is pretty much there mirror copy of John Carter.
I inhaled these books, loved them, hook line and sinker....would recommend them to everyone. I also loved the movie, dunno why it didn't do well, read the books then watch the movie 😇🥰🤠🥳
I'd be down for some John Carter. I'm hesitant to watch the movie on Disney + until I read at least one volume. I'll check Kindle to see if they got any bundle deals. I like that edition you have, is that a B&N?
I’ve never read it but thought it would be good for my son. What age group do you think this is for? Is there bad language, a lot of violence, sex, etc….?
I've read the first four in the series. I'm missing a couple, so when I get them, I will finish it. WRT to the John Carter movie, I was not a fan. Maybe I forgot a lot of stuff, but I did not feel that the adaptation was all that faithful. I have zero trust in Disney when it comes to adaptations.
World building is vastly overrated. Too many modern authors waste hundreds of pages telling us information that has nothing to do with the story at hand. World building is best done a little at a time as in Burroughs and Howard and Tubb and Chandler.
You’re stuck in the false dogma about women in literature, his portrayal of women isn’t unique for the day, not commonplace but absolutely not unique. Otherwise good review
Modern writing didn't "evolve" from the days of the pulps, as you put it, it devolved. Go back and read Lord Dunsany, George MacDonald, and Clark Ashton Smith--even J.R.R. Tolkien--those were Writers! Modern writing is flat, lifeless, and hollow by comparison. But yes, to your credit, women and minorities aren't treated like second-class citizens (or worse) in modern writing. I speak purely of the aesthetics and prose-quality.
I saw the movie John Carter when it came out and loved it, could never understand why the critics panned it. At the time I didn’t realize it was based on books by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I went on to start reading the Tarzan novels and finally made the connection. Picked up A Princess of Mars and enjoyed it, a rip roaring adventure. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Mars series.
It’s amazing how well Edgar Burroughs and Robert E. Howard hold up to modern fantasy. Those guys were badass.
If by hold up you mean "are much better than 99% of"
They were the BEST! They practiclly invented the various genres of pop culture.
The cliff-hanger at the end of the first book...
But the cliff-hanger at the end of the second book!
And yeah, even something like _Total Recall_ shows the marks of Barsoom.
I read ERB books until they fell apart: Barsoom, Pellucidar, Tarzan, and even the one-shots. Adore them all-action, romance, world building-even when Burroughs is somewhat running on autopilot. So thrilled to see them finding a new audience among your viewers.
Same year as Tarzan was first serialised, too, and then the following year he started the Pellucidar series. Some people are lucky to have one hit in their whole careers, Burroughs made a whole career out of those three...
More than 3
Read them all
Don't forget the Venus series. And others.
@@docsavage8640 even the doc savage books 👍
Just started Princess of Mars yesterday because of your channel, and my son is reading / listening to Tarzan of the Apes for a school project.
1912: A gripping tale of derring-do and adventure in a strange world unlike our own!
2022: Oh, it's another isekai with an OP protagonist.
😁👍👍👍
Wow, you really made me want to pick this up! I’ve been so curious about this author, and I love hearing how something written so long ago can have such forward-reaching ideas and have had influence on so many of our beloved SFF stories. Huge plus about the female character work! Wonderful review!
Seriously underrated movie! I'm not sayin it was Oscar worthy, but definitely a fun time.
Thanks for talking about this book. Great review! This is one of my all time favorites.
Being about the only other Tuber out there talking about Burroughs, I appreciate that, sir!
Great series that holds up surprisingly well! Yes, there's some serious suspension of disbelief, but these books are just a ridiculous amount of fun.
I read this last month because of your recommendation and I’m surprised that I never read these books when I was a kid. I read a few Tarzan books when I was younger and would like to revisit them now as well as the rest of ERB’s stuff.
Certainly one of the most important works of Science Fiction ever written along with the Lensman Series, Foundation, Dune, and Skylark. Also, the Bikini costume that Leia wears was influenced by the slave costume worn by Laureline in "Valerian And Laureline" more than Dejah Thoris who technically wears no clothing at all only some minor accessories.
I have the first three Barsoom books. I read them out loud to my son when he was a baby. He still loves it when I read to him.
I started reading this series recently, one of the reasons being the way Carl Sagan spoke about it in Cosmos. I can see why he loved it, it's AWESOME!
It's truly underrated.
Finished this one a couple weeks ago, great review for quite a seminal work.
I really enjoy your rapid reviews format. And yes, you have talked me into reading this classic. So consider that mission accomplished!
I JUST watched the movie for the first time last week and quite enjoyed it. Plus, I'm a big fan of Conan, and I've also read Thongor which is meant to be a mix of Conan and John Carter, so I hope to find time for the Barsoom books sometime!
The movie was shockingly bad as an adaptation of the book.
It would have been a decent movie if it had been a stand-alone film not claiming to have anything to do with the book.
Like the Rapid Review Mike. It is an excellent book and well worth a read. I have read the first two books in the John Carter series, then I took a short break (which turned into a year), this will prompt me to pick up the third book in the series after my The Sum Of All Men re-read. Also if you think the first book ends on a cliffhanger wait until the end of the second book.
And how!
I literally never considered reading this book till I heard you bring it up over the last month or so. After this video, I am definitely adding it to my TBR. Thanks!
Bro. I love ERB and John Carter!!! Thanks for covering this historic legacy science fantasy.
I love how in adventure and action scenes her builts in many small elements of worldbuilding and culture.
Learn quite a lot today. I'm new in the sci-fi genre but it seems like I'm accidentally passing over an influential series(I own it as well). Guess I know my next read!
Great video today, Mike. Sounds like an awesome serial series.
One of my all time favorites. Love the whole series.
I just read it and I thought it was a whole lot of fun. I want to go on with the series. I tell you, the vocab back at the start of 1900s was a lot bigger. I had to look up several words in this.
I remember being about thirteen and asking my mother, "What does 'sill-ill-oh-quai-zed' mean?" She knew right away that I was reading a Tarzan book, because that's what she was reading the first time she encountered that word.
Started reading ERB when I was 10 or so. All the Tarzan, Barsoom, Pellucidar, Venus, the Mucker stuff and anything else in my local library. In my 60s now and I haven't reread any of it since I was a teen. He certainly had a great deal of influence on the authors that came after him. I have no doubt that Robert E Howard was a big ERB fan.
Last week I listened to the audio book of the first Tarzan novel while working out. It's quite dated, even silly at times, but still fun to revisit.
Another excellent review, Mike! Very cool to learn about the influence on the portrayal of Princess Leia, among other things.
I read the Barsoom books when I was 12-13 and absolutely fell in love, you should definitely read his Venus and Pellucidar books if you haven’t already, the man was a master of adventure
Woolla is best dog… creature! Love A Princess of Mars!
Hey Mike I'm enjoying these rapid reviews. Never considered reading this series before but I will need to give it a try now. Thanks!
Thank you great review agree it’s a classic sci-fi book
Great review for one of the all time great sci-fi stories! Sadly, I discovered this late in life, in my 30's. But I'm glad I did. When you stop and think about all the stories Barsoom inspired...Wow. Burroughs' imagination was staggering, on par with Tolkien's.
And you're dead on about the John Carter movie. It's way better than it had any right to be and a crime that it didn't do better.
he may be better known for Tarzan, however John Carter became the template for Superman and Superheroes in general! Really paved the way for pulp heroes.
I have the exact copy. I’ve only read book one so far but really enjoyed it.
If you enjoyed this I'm sure you will enjoy Elric. By the way when will you read it?
Thanks my favorite is the gods of mars so much action and fights wow was a magik journey on barsoom im now reading warlords seems good as well
Read all these stories about 10 years ago. Realky enjoyed them and the movie
I really loved the Marvel Comics adaption and the movie!
Can't wait for gods of Mars
Love the rapid reviews!
I have all of the Pellucidar books I’m reading through so much fun!
Good review, will read that sooner than I thought!
Tars Tarkas is one of my favorite characters.
I wanna read this. I've owned this edition for years and never picked it up.
Looking at my ancient records, I first read this book prior to 1968, and must have reread it in 1971 where I rated it 3 1/2 stars out of five. I rated ERB's Venus series higher. However, somewhere along the way it has become one of my all time favorite books. I read it to the kids at bed time... I guess as a modern adult I wish it was a little richer in characters, and a little less rushed. But still... it's hard to beat as it was written.
Sounds awesome must read.
I've read the first 4 or 5 books so far, I think. I wish he would have kept John Carter the focus of the later books. Even though I wouldn't call any of them great, I greatly enjoyed every story I have read in the series. There is a charm to the story telling with these books.
I was really introduced to it when a science fiction author I find really influential touted it as the best book to give to boys on the verge of adolescence. I read the books, re-read them, devoured them...and have come to the conclusion that they should be given to boys *and* girls of that age. To boys, to teach them to be a John Carter...to girls, to teach them to *want* a John Carter.
I'd read a number of comic versions but read the actual novel just before the release of the Disney movie.
I enjoyed it but but instead of jumping in to further Barsoom books I tried a number of other pulp books such as Tarzan, Doc Savage, Fu Manchu, The Shadow, and others. I thought about returning to some of those but can be hard to find in physical books without paying more than I want.
I do remember when I read Princess realizing that DC Comics character, Adam Strange; is pretty much there mirror copy of John Carter.
Oh no. As if my tbr isn't big enough already! Sigh ok, it's on the list.
The movie is worth a watch as well.
I inhaled these books, loved them, hook line and sinker....would recommend them to everyone. I also loved the movie, dunno why it didn't do well, read the books then watch the movie 😇🥰🤠🥳
Carter is in search of gold at the beginning of the novel.
The greatest American Science Fiction novel of all time. Also Thuvia is best girl.
Talking about the beginning os science fiction, it would be grear hearing a review about Jules Verne!
I read this book a few years ago, I liked it, but I left the second of the series unfinished. Maybe I should go back to Barsoom.
What are your thoughts on the Gandalara Cycle trilogy (Randall Garrett)?
🤩🤩
ERB is the godfather of SCFI
I'd be down for some John Carter. I'm hesitant to watch the movie on Disney + until I read at least one volume. I'll check Kindle to see if they got any bundle deals.
I like that edition you have, is that a B&N?
If you want to enjoy the movie, don't read the book. The movie as stand alone entertainment was fine, but it was a horrible adaptation of the book.
You can’t beat the price if you get the first few books from project Gutenberg.
Are you going to do Tarzan books?
Wasn't Avatar inspired by Ursula Le Guin's The Word for World is Forest?
James Cameron's Avatar.
Great review. Love to hear ERB get his due. He was bigger than JK Rowling in his heyday.
Facts.
I thought it was ok read. Very good escapism fantasy.
I’ve never read it but thought it would be good for my son. What age group do you think this is for? Is there bad language, a lot of violence, sex, etc….?
That was my next question...how does the movie hold up lol
I've read the first four in the series. I'm missing a couple, so when I get them, I will finish it. WRT to the John Carter movie, I was not a fan. Maybe I forgot a lot of stuff, but I did not feel that the adaptation was all that faithful. I have zero trust in Disney when it comes to adaptations.
I got to wonder if Elon could save himself some time and money by exploring the Arizonan desert 🤔
Ye olde writng.. lol
Time for a reread.
Ha poor Jules Verne feels left out of your list of the history of sci fi originators.
World building is vastly overrated. Too many modern authors waste hundreds of pages telling us information that has nothing to do with the story at hand. World building is best done a little at a time as in Burroughs and Howard and Tubb and Chandler.
You’re stuck in the false dogma about women in literature, his portrayal of women isn’t unique for the day, not commonplace but absolutely not unique.
Otherwise good review
Modern writing didn't "evolve" from the days of the pulps, as you put it, it devolved. Go back and read Lord Dunsany, George MacDonald, and Clark Ashton Smith--even J.R.R. Tolkien--those were Writers! Modern writing is flat, lifeless, and hollow by comparison. But yes, to your credit, women and minorities aren't treated like second-class citizens (or worse) in modern writing. I speak purely of the aesthetics and prose-quality.