Pellucidar (1915)

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/605

David the Emperor is back, and getting into trouble on the way - he is also getting a navy built, thanks to his his friend.

Gorilla-sheep people, lizard men, giant hyena dogs, and raising the technology level of the locals are all on the agenda. As well as a couple of rescues of Dian to go along with it. Plus canoeing and the odd minor war.

A bit bare bones, this book.

http://freesf.blogspot.com/2009/02/pellucidar-edgar-rice-burroughs.html ( )

In this second of ERB's Pellucidar series, David Innes regains his hold as Emperor of Pellucidar, conquering the opposing armies of Hoojah the Sly and the Mahars. The Mahars fly away to the north at the end of the novel, but we expect they will be back someday. Meanwhile, Emperor David has his lovely Queen, the Lovely Dian, and his friend Perry, now Admiral of the Pellucidar Navy, his health, and plenty to smile about. ( )

Pellucidar is the second in Burrough's hollow earth series that started with At the Earth's Core. I haven't read the first book in the series, but like many adventure novels, the action is pretty self-contained and references to happenings in the first book are explained.

Pellucidar begins with David's return to the earth's core and follows him as he rescues his woman, fights the evil lizards, reunites the cave people, and teaches everyone about building boats, firing cannons, reading, and not enslaving captured prisoners.

The book is a fun read, as all Burroughs is, and the geography and people of Pellucidar allow for some pretty creative adventures. There are occasional slips into early 20th century racism, but only slightly cringeworthy and nothing too blatant. I would gladly return to the world of Pellucidar -- and I am particularly excited to see what happens when Tarzan goes there...

Full review here: http://spacebeer.blogspot.com/2007/12/pellucidar-1915.html ( )

A sequel to Burroughs' "At the Earth's Core", in which explorer David Innes discovered and temporarily conquered Pellucidar, a fantastic land within the hollow Earth. Here his continuing story is transmitted by telegraph to the surface. Innes has returned to the surface to obtain weapons and tools for his return to Pellucidar, with the intent to find and rescue his lost mate Dian the Beautiful, and finish the conquest and civilization of this savage land. He eventually succeeds, after a series of thrilling and unbelievable adventures. The one glaring fault here is Burroughs' reliance on the incredible coincidence, as when an African explorer accidentally discovers Innes' telegraph, buried in the ground, by sleeping with his head over it and hearing the clicks - in the midst of an arid desert. If one can suspend enough disbelief, it's an enjoyable summer read. ( )