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The Moon Trilogy #2
The Moon Men
Through the treason of a handful of men, contact between Earth & the Moon had become a nightmare. The world became the tool of the Lunarians, whose plundering and cruelty reduced thieving nations to poverty stricken wastelands. The Moon Men is the astounding story of that tragedy, & of the exploits of Julian, the human who dared fight for freedom. It's the story also of Red Hawk, Julian's descendant, the nomad who attempted to bring the struggle to its final desperate conclusion.
245 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1925
About the author
Edgar Rice Burroughs
3,557 books2,817 followersEdgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 13, 2026
"In a few generations they have sapped the manhood from American men. My ancestors fought at Bunker Hill, at Gettysburg, at San Juan, at Chateau Thierry. And I? I bend the knee to every degraded creature that wears the authority of the beasts at Washington—and not one of them is an American—scarce one of them an Earth man." - Julian 8th
In 2100 Julian 9th is born. The world has been in a horrific state for a hundred years following the invasion of a war-weary and peace-clinging Earth by an army of moon-bred aliens under the leadership of an evil human genius named Orthis. The monsters slaughtered millions, destroyed art, architecture, libraries, churches, schools, and industry, and removed the rights of women so that these monstrous aliens, the Kalkers (this tale's "moon men") can scavenge and pillage at will, reducing the world to its current dystopian state.
This story is the second in Burroughs' "Moon Trilogy" and is very different from the opening entry, which was more of an HG Wells-styled fantasy depiction of a new world on the moon with a classic hero and an ending I don't want to spoil. By way of a contrast, I was greatly surprised at the opening to this second entry of the series, "The Moon Men," in which, after a fakeout cold opening by a narrator, it is just a straight and terrifying dystopian nightmare. The Kalkars have conquered the Earth under Orthis' dastardly leadership and for a hundred years things have only gone from bad to worse.
Now we find the ninth of the Julian name living a substandard existence with his mother and father (Julian 8th) on the ruined streets of Chicago, doing their best to barter and trade for their livelihood while always at risk of being assessed an unfair tax by their Kalker overlords. When the dastardly Or-tis takes personal charge of the region's ruling, he sets his eyes on Julian's love interest. The outlawing of religion, marriage, education, literacy, and the ownership of women play a large part in fomenting a rebellion among the remaining humans, claiming an American or Yank heritage they don't really understand but feel in their past. Finally, enough is enough.
Burroughs must have had some terrifying thoughts about the future when he wrote "The Moon Men" in 1925 and you can feel a lot of George Orwell, HG Wells, Aldous Huxley, and Ayn Rand here but with a pulp adventure tenor that actually serves to make it more terrifying and safe at the same time. He's issuing a warning and an entertaining adventure love story simultaneously; which of those he wanted us to take from the read most likely lies in its ending, which I don't want to spoil.
Verdict: A great example of 1920's dystopian fiction, "The Moon Men" is a wonderful read with a smart protagonist, young and in love, who decides that women are to be treated with respect and that real men don't bend the knee to anyone.
Jeff's Rating: 5 / 5 (Great)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13
In 2100 Julian 9th is born. The world has been in a horrific state for a hundred years following the invasion of a war-weary and peace-clinging Earth by an army of moon-bred aliens under the leadership of an evil human genius named Orthis. The monsters slaughtered millions, destroyed art, architecture, libraries, churches, schools, and industry, and removed the rights of women so that these monstrous aliens, the Kalkers (this tale's "moon men") can scavenge and pillage at will, reducing the world to its current dystopian state.
This story is the second in Burroughs' "Moon Trilogy" and is very different from the opening entry, which was more of an HG Wells-styled fantasy depiction of a new world on the moon with a classic hero and an ending I don't want to spoil. By way of a contrast, I was greatly surprised at the opening to this second entry of the series, "The Moon Men," in which, after a fakeout cold opening by a narrator, it is just a straight and terrifying dystopian nightmare. The Kalkars have conquered the Earth under Orthis' dastardly leadership and for a hundred years things have only gone from bad to worse.
Now we find the ninth of the Julian name living a substandard existence with his mother and father (Julian 8th) on the ruined streets of Chicago, doing their best to barter and trade for their livelihood while always at risk of being assessed an unfair tax by their Kalker overlords. When the dastardly Or-tis takes personal charge of the region's ruling, he sets his eyes on Julian's love interest. The outlawing of religion, marriage, education, literacy, and the ownership of women play a large part in fomenting a rebellion among the remaining humans, claiming an American or Yank heritage they don't really understand but feel in their past. Finally, enough is enough.
Burroughs must have had some terrifying thoughts about the future when he wrote "The Moon Men" in 1925 and you can feel a lot of George Orwell, HG Wells, Aldous Huxley, and Ayn Rand here but with a pulp adventure tenor that actually serves to make it more terrifying and safe at the same time. He's issuing a warning and an entertaining adventure love story simultaneously; which of those he wanted us to take from the read most likely lies in its ending, which I don't want to spoil.
Verdict: A great example of 1920's dystopian fiction, "The Moon Men" is a wonderful read with a smart protagonist, young and in love, who decides that women are to be treated with respect and that real men don't bend the knee to anyone.
Jeff's Rating: 5 / 5 (Great)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13
October 8, 2009
Subconsciously, I have felt just a bit sheepish about adding a string of Edgar Rice Burroughs titles to my book list, despite the enjoyment I've been taking in reading them again.
That emotion might be laid to rest, according to the foreword of an ERB biography by Richard Lupoff: "When an author survives for nearly a century, not only without the support of the critical or academic community but in the face of these communities' adamant condemnation, it is time to begin asking if a legitimate folk-author has not been here. It is time to start thinking of permanence." He goes on to compare Burroughs with HG Wells and Jules Verne, and I think Burroughs does fit in the same league with those guys.
The Moon Men, a sequel to The Moon Maid, is actually two stories bound into a single volume. The first is unusual for this author in that the main character is not an adventurer in a strange land but rather an innocent young fellow growing up here in North America, under the cruel oppression of a future totalitarian government. Burroughs' depiction of a life in which everyone's speech must be guarded for fear of arrest was likely based on contemporary reports coming out of places like the USSR, and it's believable.
The story of the eventual uprising (not to mention the inevitable love interest) feels more like fantasy, and yet even here parts feel quite real. The confusion, the lack of planning, and the consequent slaughter of the noble upstarts is realistic and gives the conception more of a feeling of validity.
The second story, set much farther in the future, has the rebels' decendents living very much like the plains Indians of the early West. They still have the tattered remnant of an old American flag, but aside from knowing that it should be cherished they have no idea what the thing meant.
Call 'em all escapism if you wish, but this is as good a read as any of the three or four other novels I can think of that were set in the distant future. And who's to say the march of history won't eventually take such a course?
That emotion might be laid to rest, according to the foreword of an ERB biography by Richard Lupoff: "When an author survives for nearly a century, not only without the support of the critical or academic community but in the face of these communities' adamant condemnation, it is time to begin asking if a legitimate folk-author has not been here. It is time to start thinking of permanence." He goes on to compare Burroughs with HG Wells and Jules Verne, and I think Burroughs does fit in the same league with those guys.
The Moon Men, a sequel to The Moon Maid, is actually two stories bound into a single volume. The first is unusual for this author in that the main character is not an adventurer in a strange land but rather an innocent young fellow growing up here in North America, under the cruel oppression of a future totalitarian government. Burroughs' depiction of a life in which everyone's speech must be guarded for fear of arrest was likely based on contemporary reports coming out of places like the USSR, and it's believable.
The story of the eventual uprising (not to mention the inevitable love interest) feels more like fantasy, and yet even here parts feel quite real. The confusion, the lack of planning, and the consequent slaughter of the noble upstarts is realistic and gives the conception more of a feeling of validity.
The second story, set much farther in the future, has the rebels' decendents living very much like the plains Indians of the early West. They still have the tattered remnant of an old American flag, but aside from knowing that it should be cherished they have no idea what the thing meant.
Call 'em all escapism if you wish, but this is as good a read as any of the three or four other novels I can think of that were set in the distant future. And who's to say the march of history won't eventually take such a course?
January 12, 2015
This is basically JOHN CARTER OF MARS meets Ayn Rand. Burroughs does a great job detailing the subjugation of the human race by alien creatures from the moon. However, in typical Burroughs fashion, the hero is over-the-top. After discovering that he has been blessed with amazing super-strength (no explanation given), this hero goes through the rest of the book rescuing people, breaking out of prisons, wrestling with bulls, taming wild horses, leading revolutions, romancing a beautiful maiden, and breaking bad guys' necks.
All this action might have been exciting were it not so lazy. For example, during the first prison break scene, our hero is able to escape by simply climbing on top of a shed and jumping over the fence. When one of the guards sees him and tries to shoot, the guard's gun jams. How convenient!
The book also has a very weak ending. Sort of like watching an alternate version of BRAVEHEART in which William Wallace and his ragtag army never make it past their first battle.
All this action might have been exciting were it not so lazy. For example, during the first prison break scene, our hero is able to escape by simply climbing on top of a shed and jumping over the fence. When one of the guards sees him and tries to shoot, the guard's gun jams. How convenient!
The book also has a very weak ending. Sort of like watching an alternate version of BRAVEHEART in which William Wallace and his ragtag army never make it past their first battle.
July 18, 2008
A sequel to the Moon Maid, in which the moon folk come to earth. I won't give more than that away. I thought it was great.
July 12, 2017
**************************Spoiler Alert *****************************
The prologue brings us to the end of the long war - now 1967. The Earth disarms completely, except for a small peace keeping fleet in which Julian the 5th is one of its admirals. Radar detects objects emanating from the moon. Too late, to defend themselves, the lunar fleet commanded by Orthis finds Earth to be easy to defeat. As special weapon, there was a fascination during this period with cosmic radiation types and thus, a variety of ray guns were concocted by various writers. Orthis's invention can be set to dissolve any material. Julian briefly counters the effects of the weapon, the two ships collide and Julian 5th and Orthis both perish .
Originally, Burroughs wrote a novel he called Under the Red Flag in which america is invaded and conquered by communist Russia - the Red Scare of 1920 was strong. Publishers rejected the story. Burroughs rewrote the players quickly so that the invasion was by the Kalkars who set up a communal dictatorship, banned all forms of religion and thus the book became a predictor of what life might be like under a communist form of rule. Of course, graft and corruption become rampant, some citizens incur favor by informing on their neighbors and after 100 years or so of this, Julian the 9th leads a short-lived rebellion and in the process is martyred.
This is some of ERB's very best writing. The story, though short, is tight. There is much less fighting and much more character development. But in order for the story to work, The Moon Maid had to be written so that a sequence could be established.
The prologue brings us to the end of the long war - now 1967. The Earth disarms completely, except for a small peace keeping fleet in which Julian the 5th is one of its admirals. Radar detects objects emanating from the moon. Too late, to defend themselves, the lunar fleet commanded by Orthis finds Earth to be easy to defeat. As special weapon, there was a fascination during this period with cosmic radiation types and thus, a variety of ray guns were concocted by various writers. Orthis's invention can be set to dissolve any material. Julian briefly counters the effects of the weapon, the two ships collide and Julian 5th and Orthis both perish .
Originally, Burroughs wrote a novel he called Under the Red Flag in which america is invaded and conquered by communist Russia - the Red Scare of 1920 was strong. Publishers rejected the story. Burroughs rewrote the players quickly so that the invasion was by the Kalkars who set up a communal dictatorship, banned all forms of religion and thus the book became a predictor of what life might be like under a communist form of rule. Of course, graft and corruption become rampant, some citizens incur favor by informing on their neighbors and after 100 years or so of this, Julian the 9th leads a short-lived rebellion and in the process is martyred.
This is some of ERB's very best writing. The story, though short, is tight. There is much less fighting and much more character development. But in order for the story to work, The Moon Maid had to be written so that a sequence could be established.
June 12, 2020
#2 in E.R Burroughs Lunar Trilogy continuing the E.R. Burroughs fantasy adventure Lunar Trilogy which opened in 1967 and is a view of the future as it was written just after WW I. It is a world that emerged from 50 years of wars starting with WWI in which Great Britain and the U.S. are final victors and have created a new world that is facing disaster in the future. An Anti-Communist Dystopian trilogy of life in a socialist 'utopia' with the Kalkars modeled on Russian communists.
The central characters are Julian 3 (and his descendants) and the evil Orthis who contend over time for control of earth with Julian 3 (the third of nine reincarnations from the 18th into the 22nd centuries). Part 1's real time is 1967 with Julian 3 narrating events of the future and part 2's real time is 1969 with Julian 9 relating the future events. Julian returns from the Moon in 2026 and Julian 5 is born in 2031. Julian & Orthis perish together in 2025 and the story jumps to 2100 with Julian 9, 20 years old, and the Kalkars have completely conquered have been ruling the earth for over 50 years. Civilization has degenerated in the near barbarism without the intelligence of Orthis to guide them.
This is the story of that Earth and the exploits of Julian 9, who dared fight for freedom against the degrading, arrogant Kalkars who are ruthless in their treatment of humans and his adversary is Or-tis who is the grandson of Orthis. This struggle opens the door for Red Hawk (Part 3), Julian's descendant, to bring the struggle to its final desperate conclusion.
The central characters are Julian 3 (and his descendants) and the evil Orthis who contend over time for control of earth with Julian 3 (the third of nine reincarnations from the 18th into the 22nd centuries). Part 1's real time is 1967 with Julian 3 narrating events of the future and part 2's real time is 1969 with Julian 9 relating the future events. Julian returns from the Moon in 2026 and Julian 5 is born in 2031. Julian & Orthis perish together in 2025 and the story jumps to 2100 with Julian 9, 20 years old, and the Kalkars have completely conquered have been ruling the earth for over 50 years. Civilization has degenerated in the near barbarism without the intelligence of Orthis to guide them.
This is the story of that Earth and the exploits of Julian 9, who dared fight for freedom against the degrading, arrogant Kalkars who are ruthless in their treatment of humans and his adversary is Or-tis who is the grandson of Orthis. This struggle opens the door for Red Hawk (Part 3), Julian's descendant, to bring the struggle to its final desperate conclusion.
February 14, 2015
This book, which actually contains two short novels, follows up on the events of The Moon Maid. Orthis, the villain of that novel, has rallied the monstrous Kalkar of the moon and returned to Earth, subjugating its inhabitants to their rule. However, pockets of secret resistance exist. Julian 9th, descendant of The Moon Maid's protagonist, struggles to keep his family and lover safe while fomenting rebellion after hours.
300 years later, in The Red Hawk, American resistance has been successful and the Kalkars are being gradually pushed east "into the sea." But there are still many dangers for Julian 20th, a.k.a. The Red Hawk, to face. Will there ever be peace?
I quite enjoyed the first, slightly longer part of this book. The second, not so much, for a few reasons. It's pretty much non-stop action, which I tend to find makes for dull reading. There aren't any significant female characters; I mention this not out of any need for equality but simply because I find a lack of female personality in any story also to be kind of dull. (At least I had the cover to look at--and I did frequently.) And the ending is a bit too neat.
Despite my slight disappointment I still look forward to exploring Burroughs' worlds further.
300 years later, in The Red Hawk, American resistance has been successful and the Kalkars are being gradually pushed east "into the sea." But there are still many dangers for Julian 20th, a.k.a. The Red Hawk, to face. Will there ever be peace?
I quite enjoyed the first, slightly longer part of this book. The second, not so much, for a few reasons. It's pretty much non-stop action, which I tend to find makes for dull reading. There aren't any significant female characters; I mention this not out of any need for equality but simply because I find a lack of female personality in any story also to be kind of dull. (At least I had the cover to look at--and I did frequently.) And the ending is a bit too neat.
Despite my slight disappointment I still look forward to exploring Burroughs' worlds further.
March 25, 2024
I've read lots of ERB books and never had one be such a normal dystopian daily life novel. Obviously, with some 'out of this world', one-sided combat, but extremely less than his usual books.
The world building is great...if not a little /too/ American, which was reasonable at first for them to remember the old times, but the focus on the flag even in church and it overshadowing the end battle as it being in the name of America rather than rebellion was... an odd choice.
The world building is great...if not a little /too/ American, which was reasonable at first for them to remember the old times, but the focus on the flag even in church and it overshadowing the end battle as it being in the name of America rather than rebellion was... an odd choice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
Set a few centuries after "The Moon Maid," the first book in the trilogy, this one presents us with a bleak vision of Earth after they were conquered by the Kalkars, humanoids from the Moon. The protagonist is Julian 9th, a descendant of the first book's hero.
Julian and his parents live in a world pretty much destroyed by the Kalkars, who have established a brutal and inefficient Communist society. (Burroughs makes sure we definitely see his point--the Kalkars have divided the former United States into territories called "Tievos." Spell that backwards.)
The metaphor isn't heavy-handed, though, but instead provides the setting for a story of repression, rebellion and violence. Among other things, its examination of whether centuries of persecution can drain the spirit out of a once-proud people. Julian eventually leads a rebellion, but there's no clear-cut happy ending. It is, after all, the middle book in a trilogy. Like Lord of the Rings and The Empire Strikes Back, it ends with the good guys seemingly down for the count.
Julian and his parents live in a world pretty much destroyed by the Kalkars, who have established a brutal and inefficient Communist society. (Burroughs makes sure we definitely see his point--the Kalkars have divided the former United States into territories called "Tievos." Spell that backwards.)
The metaphor isn't heavy-handed, though, but instead provides the setting for a story of repression, rebellion and violence. Among other things, its examination of whether centuries of persecution can drain the spirit out of a once-proud people. Julian eventually leads a rebellion, but there's no clear-cut happy ending. It is, after all, the middle book in a trilogy. Like Lord of the Rings and The Empire Strikes Back, it ends with the good guys seemingly down for the count.
November 12, 2024
This is actually two books in one, both being the completing story of the moon men.
The first, The Moon Men, is a study in a depressive society gone to ruin.
The earth has been completely taken over by the moon men. Think occupation under Nazi rule in WWII. It is a depressing story with little to like about it, save the ending, which gave some semblance of hope.
The second half of he book is the novella The Red Hawk, which continues the story many generations later. America has now devolved into a tribal culture, much like the plains Indians of the 1800's America. The war on the moon men is nearing its final conclusion, but there is much to be done yet.
A very exciting book, that I recommend fully.
The first, The Moon Men, is a study in a depressive society gone to ruin.
The earth has been completely taken over by the moon men. Think occupation under Nazi rule in WWII. It is a depressing story with little to like about it, save the ending, which gave some semblance of hope.
The second half of he book is the novella The Red Hawk, which continues the story many generations later. America has now devolved into a tribal culture, much like the plains Indians of the 1800's America. The war on the moon men is nearing its final conclusion, but there is much to be done yet.
A very exciting book, that I recommend fully.
March 30, 2025
The book consists of two novellas: The Moon Men and The Red Hawk.
The first tells of Orthis’ invasion of the earth with hundreds of thousands of Lunar men.
The civilizations of the Earth have been destroyed. The survivors have been enslaved. One hundred years later, the tale follows Julian-9 and his pursuit of freedom. The second story follows Julian-19, who lives as a nomad in the deserts of Utah and his plan to lead a large army against the last of the Kalkars (Lunar Men), who control California.
This was an excellent set of stories. The cruelty of the Kalkars is horrifying.
The first tells of Orthis’ invasion of the earth with hundreds of thousands of Lunar men.
The civilizations of the Earth have been destroyed. The survivors have been enslaved. One hundred years later, the tale follows Julian-9 and his pursuit of freedom. The second story follows Julian-19, who lives as a nomad in the deserts of Utah and his plan to lead a large army against the last of the Kalkars (Lunar Men), who control California.
This was an excellent set of stories. The cruelty of the Kalkars is horrifying.
July 19, 2020
Ha decaído bastante la historia y me sorprende que no siga la evolución de sus hermanos. Ahora se ha vuelto un libro más de revolución, de un pueblo oprimido que busca su propia gloria, dejando la fantasía y pasando a una distopia de un pueblo oprimido por otro no tan poderoso. Incluso tiene tintes propagandísticos que hacen recordar los hechos acontecidos en el pasado, pero en un futuro que se aleja por completo de Carter y Naiper.
Este segundo volumen deja mucho que desear.
Este segundo volumen deja mucho que desear.
April 4, 2025
Who'd thunk that the Moon is populated with millions of Democrats . . .er, I mean Commies just waiting to take over the earth and hold all mankind under it's big tyrannical thumb?!? "The Moon Men" is an eyewitness account of the very revolutionary takeover that we live under even today. Torn from the headlines, this book will inspire revolutionaries in every age and era. Drop everything and read this manifesto immediately.
July 12, 2017
Originally titled Under The Red Flag this book tackles communism with gusto, and the unmistakable style of Burroughs!
August 24, 2017
I didn't realize it was a dystopian book. unusual for ERB. but, I really enjoyed it.
October 28, 2017
Excellent vintage Burroughs
October 17, 2022
Proto-Ayn Rand hate the commies sci-fi. Superior to its predecessor. Fun!
May 7, 2024
Solid and entertaining as always.
August 9, 2025
Librivox Edition:
typical E.R.Burroughs adventure tale. Not very believable, but entertaining. Excellent narration.
typical E.R.Burroughs adventure tale. Not very believable, but entertaining. Excellent narration.
June 12, 2026
I have no idea why Frazetta painted a scene from The Red Hawk onto the cover of The Moon Men other than maybe they printed books 2 & 3 together in that edition
January 31, 2013
Maybe Burroughs was moving into experimental mode when he wrote this (or as experimental as Burroughs could ever be) in that the action moves forward several generations from the time of ‘The Moon Maid’ to an era in Earth’s history where the Moon Men (the Kalkars) have successfully subdued and conquered the Earth. Humans are virtual slaves to the Kalkars who control the population through spies, extortionate taxes and the feared Kash Guard.
The next incarnation of ‘Julian’ is born into the body of Julian 9th, a muscular young farmer who is able to fight off packs of wolf-like wild dogs, wrestle mad bulls to the ground and the only one willing to stand up to a bullying government.
The story is unusual for Burroughs in that the action is confined to a small part of North America, there are no gigantic or fantastical creatures, and some of the good characters actually die, something unheard of in his Barsoom novels. This innovation is to Burroughs’ credit since the denouement is a powerful and tragic one, showing good people sacrificing their lives for their culture and beliefs.
The Moon men (rather like some of the natives of Burroughs’ Venus) are a thinly veiled portrait of Communists with their spies, secret police, mining camps for dissidents and their anti-religious stance, added to which, all citizens (or at least the males) are required to call each other ‘Brother’.
What is standard here is the romance since fairly on in the book Julian falls in love with a woman on his first meeting with her.
With heavy-handed symbolism Burroughs emphasises two of the worst crimes in the world of the Kalkars. One is to worship Christ, and the other is to display or possess ‘Old Glory’; the flag of the USA.
When his father is sent to the salt-mines for contravening a curfew law and his mother and new love are threatened, Julian organises and uprising against the Moon Men which is partially successful but for which a heavy price has to be paid.
The next incarnation of ‘Julian’ is born into the body of Julian 9th, a muscular young farmer who is able to fight off packs of wolf-like wild dogs, wrestle mad bulls to the ground and the only one willing to stand up to a bullying government.
The story is unusual for Burroughs in that the action is confined to a small part of North America, there are no gigantic or fantastical creatures, and some of the good characters actually die, something unheard of in his Barsoom novels. This innovation is to Burroughs’ credit since the denouement is a powerful and tragic one, showing good people sacrificing their lives for their culture and beliefs.
The Moon men (rather like some of the natives of Burroughs’ Venus) are a thinly veiled portrait of Communists with their spies, secret police, mining camps for dissidents and their anti-religious stance, added to which, all citizens (or at least the males) are required to call each other ‘Brother’.
What is standard here is the romance since fairly on in the book Julian falls in love with a woman on his first meeting with her.
With heavy-handed symbolism Burroughs emphasises two of the worst crimes in the world of the Kalkars. One is to worship Christ, and the other is to display or possess ‘Old Glory’; the flag of the USA.
When his father is sent to the salt-mines for contravening a curfew law and his mother and new love are threatened, Julian organises and uprising against the Moon Men which is partially successful but for which a heavy price has to be paid.
May 8, 2024
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Encountering old military officer Julian for the second time, we learn of his life in a later incarnation, when brutal moon men have taken over the Earth and humans live in desperate subjugation.
Review
While the Moon Maid was in many ways a remix of Burroughs’ usual themes, this second volume of the Moon Men trilogy came across quite differently. For one thing, it’s set on Earth and humans are subjugated. For another, the ending is unusual for a Burroughs story; he’s clearly taking advantage of the unusual reincarnation time travel trope he introduced at the start of the series.
Some aspects are dated – humans are “the most thoroughly subjugated people the world ever had known”, which seems to ignore a lot of pretty thorough subjugation humans have done to each other, as well as what we’ve done to other species; and women are (as usual in Burroughs stories) to be protected and cherished rather than acting on their own. But Burroughs does delicately acknowledge the reality of what women in this environment will face, without being graphic about it. He’s rather less consistent on other fronts – humans aren’t allowed religion, but many practice anyway, and all faiths worship together, but they’re all monotheistic, and – even though they don’t remember differences between faiths – one character is steadfastly referred to as ‘Samuels the Jew’. That whole aspect dragged the story back a bit. That and the fact that Burroughs sees no irony in ‘breaking’ a horse while railing against subjugation of humans.
All in all, I was surprised how much I liked it. Taken on its own, the ‘chosen hero fights evil’ trope is very familiar, but there was a different feeling to parts of it, including the ending, than to the usual Burroughs book, and I thought them for the better
Summary
Encountering old military officer Julian for the second time, we learn of his life in a later incarnation, when brutal moon men have taken over the Earth and humans live in desperate subjugation.
Review
While the Moon Maid was in many ways a remix of Burroughs’ usual themes, this second volume of the Moon Men trilogy came across quite differently. For one thing, it’s set on Earth and humans are subjugated. For another, the ending is unusual for a Burroughs story; he’s clearly taking advantage of the unusual reincarnation time travel trope he introduced at the start of the series.
Some aspects are dated – humans are “the most thoroughly subjugated people the world ever had known”, which seems to ignore a lot of pretty thorough subjugation humans have done to each other, as well as what we’ve done to other species; and women are (as usual in Burroughs stories) to be protected and cherished rather than acting on their own. But Burroughs does delicately acknowledge the reality of what women in this environment will face, without being graphic about it. He’s rather less consistent on other fronts – humans aren’t allowed religion, but many practice anyway, and all faiths worship together, but they’re all monotheistic, and – even though they don’t remember differences between faiths – one character is steadfastly referred to as ‘Samuels the Jew’. That whole aspect dragged the story back a bit. That and the fact that Burroughs sees no irony in ‘breaking’ a horse while railing against subjugation of humans.
All in all, I was surprised how much I liked it. Taken on its own, the ‘chosen hero fights evil’ trope is very familiar, but there was a different feeling to parts of it, including the ending, than to the usual Burroughs book, and I thought them for the better
November 17, 2025
A good fun time!
May 2, 2014
This is book two and three of a trilogy. I didn't read the first one and I think all three stand on their own rather well. The first part, The Moon Men, starts a few generations after the Kalkars (men from the moon) have taken over the earth. It's centered in Chicago and while there are still a few trains running most technology has fallen into disrepar since humans are forbidden from using it and the Kalkars are interested. There also are a few people who practice Christianity in secret and even have an old American flag (two things that are also forbidden). It follows the story of Julian the 9th as he begins the revolt against the Kalkars.
The second part is The Red Hawk and it follows Julian 20th, about 350 years after The Moon Men, who leads his people in the final take back of the United States and drives the Kalkars into the sea (Atlantic Ocean). It takes place in southern Arizona and California. Julian 20th (the Read Hawk) and his allies live a life inspired by American Indians. They are warriors, completely untrusting of strangers and the different groups have evolved their own languages (the Oothas and the Kolorados are two groups they trade with, but communicate mostly with gestures and a few words). They still have the Flag, but it has become their diety.
I found it interesting that religion played such an important role in these books. The dystopia books published more recently that I have read haven't bothered to give the people any religion.
The second part is The Red Hawk and it follows Julian 20th, about 350 years after The Moon Men, who leads his people in the final take back of the United States and drives the Kalkars into the sea (Atlantic Ocean). It takes place in southern Arizona and California. Julian 20th (the Read Hawk) and his allies live a life inspired by American Indians. They are warriors, completely untrusting of strangers and the different groups have evolved their own languages (the Oothas and the Kolorados are two groups they trade with, but communicate mostly with gestures and a few words). They still have the Flag, but it has become their diety.
I found it interesting that religion played such an important role in these books. The dystopia books published more recently that I have read haven't bothered to give the people any religion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2010
This is actually two books in one. The first, describing the exploits of Julian 9 was the better of the two, in my opinion, due to the great struggle to lead a downtrodden people up from the dregs of existence and begin the revolution. The second book, taking place more than 300 years after the first book, is more of the typical ERB; i.e. hero gets captured, makes escape, gets the girl, and wins the war. There was some character development here and I found it interesting that the hero's brother was the "enlightened" one. The hero makes some progress towards changing his world view but in the end, remains the action-oriented adventurer. That doesn't mean its bad, just typical ERB. When I read ERB I am always amazed that he wrote his stories so long ago and yet had amazing insight on problems of today and tomorrow. An amazing feat. Enjoy reading "The Moon Men".
November 25, 2014
Wow, this book was unexpectedly fantastic!
It's a cautionary tale and should be read in schools everywhere alongside 1984 and Animal Farm. It's about humanity's struggle against tyranny and totalitarianism. Yes, it's that good.
What, you say? The Moon Men? Please!
The first book in the series, The Moon Maid, found our hero crash-landing into a moon crater where he finds some primitive societies living in the moon's interior. Primitive, that is, until the interference of his enemy in the first book.
This book finds an ancestor of that hero from the first book fighting right here on Earth for the freedom we now too often take for granted. For the descendants of those moon inhabitants have now invaded the Earth. Totally unexpected and totally awesome!
This book turns out to be one of Burroughs best. Who knew?
It's a cautionary tale and should be read in schools everywhere alongside 1984 and Animal Farm. It's about humanity's struggle against tyranny and totalitarianism. Yes, it's that good.
What, you say? The Moon Men? Please!
The first book in the series, The Moon Maid, found our hero crash-landing into a moon crater where he finds some primitive societies living in the moon's interior. Primitive, that is, until the interference of his enemy in the first book.
This book finds an ancestor of that hero from the first book fighting right here on Earth for the freedom we now too often take for granted. For the descendants of those moon inhabitants have now invaded the Earth. Totally unexpected and totally awesome!
This book turns out to be one of Burroughs best. Who knew?
September 22, 2010
This is typical Edgar Rice Burroughs. A hero with a perfect body and moral code, a beautiful woman to save and mean, ugly enemies to vanquish. These ugly enemies are Kalkars who came from the moon! The scene is earth around 2500. Burroughs' copyright for this work is 1925 and yet he has an underlying theme of man's waste and destruction of the planet. His opinion, with which I agree, is no matter what we do to phuck up our world, it will survive after we and our pollution are gone. Nature will reclaim the earth and it will survive until the sun dies. This book is good for true escapist reading.....mgc
April 16, 2015
This started out as a novel titled Under The Red Flag which was about communist taking over the U.S. but the publishers asked to make it a science fiction novel instead, so it turns out to be a communist takeover by Kalkars from the moon.
If you've read Ayn Rand at all you'll find that this novel covers the same territory and in my opinion does it better. A lot better.
About that cover: The Kalkars don't look like that, and the hero's girlfriend doesn't go out dressed like that. It's a nice Frazetta painting but the novel deserves something that accurately represents a scene from the book, and that painting does not.
If you've read Ayn Rand at all you'll find that this novel covers the same territory and in my opinion does it better. A lot better.
About that cover: The Kalkars don't look like that, and the hero's girlfriend doesn't go out dressed like that. It's a nice Frazetta painting but the novel deserves something that accurately represents a scene from the book, and that painting does not.
August 6, 2014
This book was a pleasant surprise. I tend to manage my expectations when reading the middle book of a trilogy, particularly when dealing with a pulp writer. While the first book in the trilogy, The Moon Maid, was a typical Burroughs fish out of water story, this book moves the story in an entirely different direction, with the invasion of Earth by the moon men. Burroughs tackles some difficult themes here - socialism, pacifism, patriotism - but in the end has crafted a story that is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1925, between the two World Wars. Recommended!
September 14, 2015
This was a slog to get through after the grand adventure of,The Moon Maid. The first part of,The Moon Men dealt with the occupation of earth by the Kalkars, thinly veiled stand-ins for Russian communists. Much of the narrative is taken-up with ERB's negative critique of the Reds. Red Hawk,a separate story in the volume, is also a sequel to, The Moon Maid and a bit more rousing, with Julian 20th, a pseudo-Indian leader, head of the resistance against the Kalkars.
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