Image from the interior of A Princess of Mars. Also used for the cover of the original printing.
There are some books out there that just seem to hit all those beats in a way that makes it seem more familiar to you than it should. Readers of science-fiction will find that the case with A Princess of Mars, which makes sense because it was one of the first of the genre and has been an inspiration to writers ever since. It was also one of the first stories written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, who is known for his Tarzan series — which is even more prominent in the social consciousness — and would become the foundation of his Barsoom series of books. Originally published in 1912 as a serialization entitled Under the Moons of Mars, it follows the late-19th century Virginian gentleman John Carter in his adventure across the Red planet. The setting of the story is based upon Percival Lowell’s observations of Mars and so perceived features of the time figure into the story (e.g. the canals). This was furthered by the inclusion of artwork by Frank Schoonover, who is apparently well-known in his own right.
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There is a part of me that would very much like to consider myself a polymath – a renaissance man. Although I study veterinary medicine, I do try to spend time in various other hobbies and pursuits, of which one is history (specifically of the Hellenistic variety). As a result of my focus within that focus, the historian Grainger is someone that I’ve actually become quite familiar with.