Publisher's Synopsis
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
John Carter, a Confederate veteran of the American Civil War, goes looking for Arizona soon after the war ends. After finding a rich gold vein, he collides with the Apaches. While he attempts to escape the pursuit by hiding in a sacred cave, he is mysteriously transported to Mars, called "Barsoom" by its inhabitants. Carter discovers that he has great strength and superhuman agility in this new environment due to its lower gravity and lower atmospheric pressure. He soon stumbles upon a nomadic tribe of Green Martians, or Tharks, as the warlike, six-limbed, green-skinned inhabitants of the planet are known. Thanks to his strength and martial prowess, Carter achieves a high position in the tribe and earns the respect and ultimately the friendship of Tars Tarkas, one of the leaders of Thark.
The Tharks later capture Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, a member of the red Martian humanoid race. The Red Martians inhabit a vast network of city-states and control the canals of the desert planet, along which its agriculture is concentrated. Carter rescues Dejah Thoris from the green men in an attempt to return her to her people.
Later, Carter becomes involved in the political affairs of both the Red Martians and the Green Martians in his efforts to safeguard Dejah Thoris, eventually leading a horde of Tharks against the city-state of Zodanga, the historic enemy of Helium. By winning the heart of Dejah Thoris, he becomes Prince of Helium, and the two live happily together for nine years. However, the sudden rupture of the plant of the atmosphere supporting the planet's dwindling air supply endangers all life on Barsoom. Desperate to save the planet's inhabitants, Carter uses a secret telepathic code to enter the factory, bringing with him an engineer who can restore its functionality. Carter then succumbs to asphyxiation, only to wake up on Earth, left wondering what happened to Barsoom and his beloved.
