Jerry Morgan, disgraced on Earth, is sent to Mars to start a new life. Once on the Red Planet, he is soon entangled in the machinations of the Martian royal court, becoming an expendable pawn in the many games of politics. Escaping from his hosts, he soon finds himself facing the savage lands and strange people of Mars in a run to save his own life! A classic science-fiction adventure from the pen of the one and only rival of Edgar R. Burroughs! Second volume of the Martian duology written by Otis Adelbert Kline preceded by "The Swordsman of Mars."
Jerry Morgan, is a man with no future on Earth, he is offered a new life on Mars and he takes it. He starts out his new life on Mars on the wrong foot by meeting a princess and killing the fearsome-looking Martian he wrongly believes is menacing her. Which in actuality is the princess's beloved pet. From there Morgan becomes entangled in the politics of the Byzantine Martian royal court, spurns the advances of a would-be lover, escapes his hosts and role as an expendable political pawn. Various adventures follow, with dazzling swordplay, feats of strength, and other trials, tribulations and treacheries. Kline's Mars has multiple parallel canals, surrounded by walls and terraces, and the construction of the canals by Martian machines is described. The story has a race-war element that may jar the modern reader.
Jerry Morgan's amazing trip to the distant past of mars! ExcerptAs the powerful car plunged up the mountain road, Jerry Morgan wondered what sort of reception awaited him at the end of this drive. Would the mysterious, eccentric man who was his uncle, and who lived in this mountain retreat which his nephew had never been permitted to visit, turn him away now?It was not until he had reached the highest limit of timber growth that he came upon a log habitation built against the mountainside which rose steeply behind it, rugged and bare of vegetation. He stopped the car in front of the log porch, off the road enough to avoid blocking it. No one was around; no one appeared as he slammed the car door shut, climbed the steps and crossed the veranda. No one answered his knock; the door swung open at the impact and Jerry entered.He found himself in a large living room, finished and furnished in pioneer style, the walls decorated with trophies. Despite the chill at this altitude, there was only cold, gray ashes mingled with bits of charcoal in the fireplace. Jerry had the feeling that the place had not been lived in for some time.Exploration confirmed his initial impression. Shelves in the kitchen were empty save for a few dishes and utensils. There was no sign of food, and a thin film of dust had settled over everything, even the sink.Puzzled, he returned to the living room and seated himself on a birch settee before the cold fireplace. Obviously, though this was the nominal residence of his uncle, Doctor Richard Morgan did not really live here. Where, then, did he live? As far as Jerry had been able to see in every direction there had been no sign of a building of any kind, save this one.As he sat there, reflecting on these mysteries, he suddenly heard the door open, and turning, saw his uncle.Like his nephew, Richard Morgan was tall and powerfully built. The remaining black among the silver hair and beard was as jet as Jerry's, and though he did not look like a military man, his presence radiated authority. His forehead was high and bulged outward over shaggy eyebrows that met above his aquiline nose; and he wore a pointed, closely cropped Vandyke."Glad to see you, Jerry," boomed the doctor in his resonant bass voice. "I've been expecting you."Jerry Morgan stared in amazement as he took his uncle's proffered hand. "Expecting me? Why, I told no one--intended to surprise you. It sounds almost like thought-transference.""Perhaps you are nearer the truth than you imagine," replied the doctor, seating himself.
Jerry Morgan, is a man with no future on Earth, he is offered a new life on Mars and he takes it. He starts out his new life on Mars on the wrong foot by meeting a princess and killing the fearsome-looking Martian he wrongly believes is menacing her. Which in actuality is the princess’s beloved pet. From there Morgan becomes entangled in the politics of the Byzantine Martian royal court, spurns the advances of a would-be lover, escapes his hosts and role as an expendable political pawn. Various adventures follow, with dazzling swordplay, feats of strength, and other trials, tribulations and treacheries. Kline’s Mars has multiple parallel canals, surrounded by walls and terraces, and the construction of the canals by Martian machines is described. The story has a race-war element that may jar the modern reader.
Jerry Morgan, fed up with Earthly frustrations, found plenty to occupy him when he swapped bodies with a hot-headed Martian from that red planet's era of glory. For Jerry's first moment there involved him in a costly mistake which was to throw him into conflict not only with the forces of evil and Mars' many monsters but also against the trained weapons of a haughty empire!
,,The Outlaws of Mars" introduces you to Captain Jerry Morgan and his travel to Mars in the early 20th century. When Jerry, expert swordsman, left the American Army, his scientist uncle, Dr. Richard Morgan, had no difficulty in persuading the adventurous young man to take a trip to Raliad, largest city on Mars in a space ship, directed by mental telepathy. For Jerry's first moment there involved him in a costly mistake which was to throw him into conflict not only with the forces of evil and Mars' many monsters but also against the trained weapons of a haughty empire! Solid planetary adventure romance in the vein of Edgar Rice Burroughs - this has all the clichés, Mars setting, Earth hero, princess in distress, political strife, sword fights, villains etc.... A true pulp fiction classic from the master of the sword and planet genre Otis Adelbert Kline.
Harry Thorne had lost everything: his business the love of his life even his own self respect. As he's contemplating suicide he's made an incredible offer. He can go back in time and switch places with a look alike who lived on Mars millions of years ago when it was a lush beautiful planet full of promise and adventure. Seizes his last chance at salvaging his life is transported millions of years into the past to a Mars peopled with beautiful women mighty warriors fearsome beasts and awesome magics. Jerry Morgan is a man with no future on Earth he is offered a new life on Mars and he takes it. He starts out his new life on Mars on the wrong foot by meeting a princess and killing the fearsome-looking Martian he wrongly believes is menacing her. Which in actuality is the princess's beloved pet. From there Morgan becomes entangled in the politics of the Byzantine Martian royal court spurns the advances of a would-be lover escapes his hosts and role as an expendable political pawn. Various adventures follow with dazzling swordplay feats of strength and other trials tribulations and treacheries. Kline's Mars has multiple parallel canals surrounded by walls and terraces and the construction of the canals by Martian machines is described. The story has a race-war element that may jar the modern reader.
Harry Thorne had lost everything: his business, the love of his life, even his own self respect. As he’s contemplating suicide he’s made an incredible offer. He can go back in time and switch places with a look alike who lived on Mars millions of years ago when it was a lush, beautiful planet full of promise and adventure. Seizes his last chance at salvaging his life is transported millions of years into the past to a Mars peopled with beautiful women, mighty warriors, fearsome beasts, and awesome magics.
Mars is a dying old world, full of evil tyrants and decaying cities where crime and malevolence run rampant. Eric Stark is an outlaw in this savage world. Orphaned on Mercury and raised by native tribes there, he is hunted by the law, betrayed and wanted by warlords and may hold the fate of Mars in his hands. Leah Bracket's Eric Stark stories are some of the finest examples of mid-twentieth century romantic adventures in science fiction. She had this unique ability to inject a certain pathos and sensitivity into her characters and situations which made her books stand out within this sub-genre. Leigh Brackett (December 7, 1915 to March 18, 1978) was an influential writer during the Golden Age of science fiction and one of the pioneers establishing women as a serious force in the field. She has been referred to as the Queen of Science Fiction and her works include the classic The Long Tomorrow as well the Eric Stark books which are a prime example of the romantic adventures of the Golden era. Leigh was also a highly respected screenwriter and her credits include Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. In 1931 she married Edmond Hamilton, another early icon of the genre who died in 1977.
