"John Carter of Mars Books, Etc" Topic

So, I have finally decided to try reading the John Carter of Mars books. Not sure where to start, what all is there and what order should I read it in.

The first book is A PRINCESS OF MARS.

Don't forget the comics.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barsoom

1 A Princess of Mars
2 The Gods of Mars
3 The Warlord of Mars
4 Thuvia, Maid of Mars
5 The Chessmen of Mars
6 The Master Mind of Mars
7 A Fighting Man of Mars
8 Swords of Mars
9 Synthetic Men of Mars
10 Llana of Gathol
11 John Carter of Mars

You should read the first three in order, then you can scattershot through the rest if so desired.

Good luck, you'll read the first one, but start skimming with the second one.

I thought the first three were pretty good. Not a great deal of deapth or character development but that wasnt what I was expecting. I was looking for some swashbuckling adventure and a light read. Thats what I got.

If you are lucky enough to stumble upon the Science Fiction Book Club editions from the early 70s, they have internal illustrations by Frank Frazetta. Seriously.

Also, Barnes & Noble had a republication of 2-3 of the novels in a single bound volume.

I got the paperback series with the non-frazetta-but sorta like it…michael wheland artwork (wrap around)..which is really COOL!

picture

more images:
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I really loved the 'look' of the covers on the books and they are STILL among my 'favorite' VSF stories, next to '20,000 Leagues'….

I haven't seen all the Frazetta artwork though, but I bet it's as cool as some of these or ever 'more' so..!

That's one of the reasons I like what Bronze Age Miniatures and Tin Man miniatures are doing with the 'not-barsoomians' among others….

As far as the 'series'…it sorta 'fades' towards the end and there is some 'doubt' whether ERB wrote a couple of the stories, but being a 'completeist' of sorts…I read them all in sequence and they are a 'yearly' treat for me….

Haven't gotten the 'Carson of Venus' series yet though, but did read 'the Farthest Star'…??? which was 'similar?'

Slishfully,
Sgt DWW-btod

I read the "Venus" series (4 books as I recall) when I was in high school and really enjoyed it. I've got all of the "Mars" series in paperback but never really started reading them.

after book 4 you basically have the plot down for all the others. But they are fun!

I loved Whelan's covers, too. They're still my image of Carter and Company.

Shawn.

I'l admit to being somewhat influenced by the Marvel comic run as well, but the Frazetta covers defined the look of Barsoom those comics were based on, and Whelan was working from the same playbook.

I read them in High schiool/college and loved them all. i also read all the gaming material when heritage came out with the system in the 1970s. The books may hold the test of time but the miniatures lost there sculpting edge over a decade ago.

You can read them online, too: gutenberg.org/etext/62

DWW – those are the covers of the versions I read in the late 70's when I was an early teen.

The books may hold the test of time but the miniatures lost there sculpting edge over a decade ago.

I was unimpressed by them THREE decades ago. Heritage had some good models, but that line was pretty nasty.

Farstar you are right . several lines that came out about the same time 1979 were weak. John carter Lord of the Rings and Star Trek were ones that I remember.

Definitely read the first three in order. They really form one long story. I also like Thuvia, Maid of Mars, but the appeal of the rest faded quickly for me, too.

The eleventh book is incomplete, and leaves you with an unresolved storyline. If that bothers you, avoid at all costs – ERB's estate isn't likely to let anyone finish it off after all these years.

"Also, Barnes & Noble had a republication of 2-3 of the novels in a single bound volume"

The first three "essential" books for just $10. USD They also have a really nice hardback of the three in their featured bargain books section, for only a few bucks more. I just recently bought the paperback compilation, wished I had seen the HB first!

you can also find them as audio books on Libravox

Yep, they are a great read. I picked mine up in the 70's. Started with the Scifi book club version of 3 books. Then went and bought them all in paperback. Love the Carson series too. I think I own every book ERB published. They were all available in the 70's. I have my 15 year old starting to read them.

Love ERB!

Thanks,

John

Read them in the late '60's. If I remember, wasn't Dejah Thoris the most kidnapped princess in literature?

Dejah Thoris spent almost as much time in chains or tied up as Wonder Woman did in the 70s. Those two gals loved their bondage :)

You won't regret reading this series. I've read them all at least 4 times over the years and they are always a pleasure to read :)

If you enjoy these you might also enjoy ERB's Moon Trilogy, and The Pellucidar series.

Most (all?) of the series is available as audio download from Librivox.

Andrew

I still think the 'new' NOT-barsoomian minis from Bronze Age Miniatures and TINMAN 'rock' and there are some others out there too, select pieces from various mfg's…but the 'Wastelanders' from Bronze Age in particular are awsome, especially painted up as I've seen them…

but what do I know…I'm only a humble bartentacle…

and 'ditto' on the eleventh novel..(which some said ERB didn't write anyway)…but they have others write 'Perry Mason' and 'James Bond'…I don't know why an ERB scholar couldn't 'finish' or pick up where ERB or even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, left off!

Slish!
Sgt DWW-btod

I downloaded the books into my iPod and enjoy reading them on the bus or during long trips.

I read them when I was in 5th grade or so. Awesome. I should do a re-read of the lot before painting any not-Barsoom minis.

someone should do 'Blackadder of Barsoom'.

pick up the 3 book set from B&N for 7.00 with coupon. Just finished the first book. Fun to read.