In this, Burroughs' first published work, he provides the reader with thrills and action to an astounding degree. His gradual immersion of the reader into a strange otherworld known as Barsoom on Mars is nothing short of brilliant, as are the main characters such as John Carter, Dejah Thoris, and Tars Tarkas. Burroughs' imagination was simply amazing, and this is on clear display here. Fortunately the novel promises more to come at its close--something Burroughs did not hesitate to grant both with his initial trilogy then with several more tales of adventure on Barsoom. To recommend this book more highly is impossible. It is something that must simply be experienced.