Virginia gentleman John Carter, unexpectedly transported to the perilous red pla
net, Mars, finds himself captured by the loveless Green Men of Thark. As Carter
struggles to win his freedom-and the affections of fellow captive Dejah Thoris,
princess of the rival clan of Helium-the fate of the entire planet hangs in the
balance: warring Martian tribes collide and the beleaguered Atmosphere Factory g
rinds to a suffocating halt. Ray Bradbury, reminiscing on the enduring thrill of
Burroughs's Martian adventure, writes, "I stood on the lawns of summer, raised
my hands, and cried for Mars, like John Carter, to take me home. I flew to the R
ed Planet and never returned."
