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The Moon Trilogy #3
The Red Hawk
An Anti-Communist Science Fiction Classic by the creator of Tarzan. This is the last of a 3 part Dystopian trilogy of life in a socialist 'utopia'. Book 1 - The Moon Maid, 2 is The Moon Men. Admiral Julian III knows his future: He will be reborn as his grandson in the 21st century & travel through space to make a startling discovery inside the moon. In the 22nd century, he will live again as Julian IX, refusing to submit to the victorious Moon Men. In the 25th century, as Julian XX, the fierce Red Hawk, he will lead humanity's final battle against the alien invaders. A majestic adventure with political overtones & great science fiction. Book 3: The American people are now a nomadic horse nation, painted and feathered. Their chieftain is Julian-the Red Hawk-and he is planning the final defeat of the hated Kalkans after centuries of oppression. This is ERG at his best, with all the excitement, adventure & trills we expect. Exciting, thought provoking - Marxist domination - destroyed!
100 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1925
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About the author
Edgar Rice Burroughs
2,786 books2,773 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 14, 2026
"You are a strange people," she said, "that you could be so brave and generous to one you hate, and yet refuse the simpler kindness of forgiveness - forgiveness of a sin that we did not commit." - Bethelda to Julian
In a future American western landscape, Julian the 20th leads vast clans of human warriors living a desert life while waiting for just the right time to fulfil his legacy and attack the California stronghold that the Kalker race of monsters from the moon have been pushed back to after centuries of rule over Earth.
The third entry in Burrough's "Moon Trilogy," "The Red Hawk" (1925) shows what happens when even the good guys, centuries removed from any faith in humanity or God, are now just in a generationally-perpetual state of survival, vengeance and animosity against their former overlords. They might actually now be among the 'bad guys.'
It is telling that in its early pages Julian 20th aka Red Hawk shouts a prayer to the American Flag instead of God, a direct contrast to similar circumstances seen in the prior book "The Moon Men." In that story, even while religion and marriage and the American Flag are outlawed, our heroes meet in secret and hold on to their ancestors' religious beliefs. Now an artifact, the tattered remnants of an American Flag used in World War I and passed down by Julians from generation to generation, has itself become a godly idol to these desperate and hateful people.
Verdict: "The Red Hawk" is a fun and thrilling conclusion to Burroughs' "Moon Trilogy." This episode reads a little more dated than the prior episodes and will probably not carry a strong meaning unless the reader has read those, but otherwise a smart work of classic 1920's dystopian action fiction.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG
In a future American western landscape, Julian the 20th leads vast clans of human warriors living a desert life while waiting for just the right time to fulfil his legacy and attack the California stronghold that the Kalker race of monsters from the moon have been pushed back to after centuries of rule over Earth.
The third entry in Burrough's "Moon Trilogy," "The Red Hawk" (1925) shows what happens when even the good guys, centuries removed from any faith in humanity or God, are now just in a generationally-perpetual state of survival, vengeance and animosity against their former overlords. They might actually now be among the 'bad guys.'
It is telling that in its early pages Julian 20th aka Red Hawk shouts a prayer to the American Flag instead of God, a direct contrast to similar circumstances seen in the prior book "The Moon Men." In that story, even while religion and marriage and the American Flag are outlawed, our heroes meet in secret and hold on to their ancestors' religious beliefs. Now an artifact, the tattered remnants of an American Flag used in World War I and passed down by Julians from generation to generation, has itself become a godly idol to these desperate and hateful people.
Verdict: "The Red Hawk" is a fun and thrilling conclusion to Burroughs' "Moon Trilogy." This episode reads a little more dated than the prior episodes and will probably not carry a strong meaning unless the reader has read those, but otherwise a smart work of classic 1920's dystopian action fiction.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG
January 21, 2015
THE RED HAWK manages to end the trilogy on a good note, though it never explains why the narrator can recall his past and future lives. For me, that angle was probably the most intriguing thing about the first two MOON books, and I was rather annoyed to find that, here, Burroughs just drops the whole concept entirely, as though hoping that no one would notice his complete failure to resolve the one overarching thread that joins this trilogy together.
Apart from that major complaint, however, THE RED HAWK is actually surprisingly good. I like that each of these books has a completely different feel to it, thereby preventing boredom from setting in. The first book was straight sci-fi, the second one felt more like a dystopian novel, and this one is sort of a sci-fi/western hybrid in which Americans have returned to living like Indians in the old West (and, in a politically incorrect twist, the actual remaining Native Americans have all become slaves). There is tons of action and all the usual Burroughs staples: kidnapped princess, brawny hero, alien bad guys, prison break, etc. It's all very been-there-done-that, but whatever. I can think of worse ways to spend a couple of lunch breaks.
Apart from that major complaint, however, THE RED HAWK is actually surprisingly good. I like that each of these books has a completely different feel to it, thereby preventing boredom from setting in. The first book was straight sci-fi, the second one felt more like a dystopian novel, and this one is sort of a sci-fi/western hybrid in which Americans have returned to living like Indians in the old West (and, in a politically incorrect twist, the actual remaining Native Americans have all become slaves). There is tons of action and all the usual Burroughs staples: kidnapped princess, brawny hero, alien bad guys, prison break, etc. It's all very been-there-done-that, but whatever. I can think of worse ways to spend a couple of lunch breaks.
December 9, 2015
I think Burroughs was getting tired of this series and pretty much just phoned in this novella. The protagonist is dull witted and prejudiced. His tribe is fighting a fascist government, yet enslaves other natives, too. When presented with a peace plan by his arch nemesis, he summarily rejects it, his bloodlust is so keen. This story could have been so much more; it's more like an outline than a true story.
June 27, 2020
#3 in E.R Burroughs Lunar Trilogy continuing the E.R. Burroughs fantasy adventure 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 linear descendants and the evil Orthis and his linear descendants who contend over time for control of earth starting with Julian 3 (the third of nine reincarnations from the 18th into the 25th 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 then 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 into near barbarism without the intelligence of Orthis to guide them.
This is the final episode in story of that Earth and the exploits of 20 year old Julian 20, the fierce Red Hawk, in 2430 as he leads the final battle in the West against the hated Kalkars. The final holdout area appears to be California's Central Valley with Julian leading fifty tribes of "Yanks" who resemble Native American Indians to remove the Kalkars. It opens with a huge fierce battle between thousands of Kalkrs and thousands lead by Julian is a confined area.
The central characters are Julian 3 and his linear descendants and the evil Orthis and his linear descendants who contend over time for control of earth starting with Julian 3 (the third of nine reincarnations from the 18th into the 25th 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 then 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 into near barbarism without the intelligence of Orthis to guide them.
This is the final episode in story of that Earth and the exploits of 20 year old Julian 20, the fierce Red Hawk, in 2430 as he leads the final battle in the West against the hated Kalkars. The final holdout area appears to be California's Central Valley with Julian leading fifty tribes of "Yanks" who resemble Native American Indians to remove the Kalkars. It opens with a huge fierce battle between thousands of Kalkrs and thousands lead by Julian is a confined area.
July 19, 2020
Como definir este final a una saga que prometía en el principio? Absurdo? Propagandístico? Podré utilizar el término basura literaria? Con este tercer libro termina una trilogia que comenzó bastante bien, pero que se ha convertido en un western absurdo, donde el choque de ideologías y venganzas se solapan con lo que deberían ser unas magníficas aventuras.
El autor hace un esfuerzo por mantener a los lectores bajo un patriotismo y una falsa esperanza de lo que fue Carter y Naiper, pero que en realidad se transforma en un vómito de odio que pretende zanjar rescatando a los falsos oprimidos, ante un pueblo que resulta ser vil y malvado, pero que al final se reconvierte al ver la luz.
Lo único positivo de este libro es el mensaje de lo innecesario de las venganzas generacionales, de rencillas de nuestros abuelos, donde ya han perdido el sentido y todo su poder, al final con el tiempo se vuelven meras consignas para dar un sentido a las vidas.
Que desafortunado final para esta saga.
El autor hace un esfuerzo por mantener a los lectores bajo un patriotismo y una falsa esperanza de lo que fue Carter y Naiper, pero que en realidad se transforma en un vómito de odio que pretende zanjar rescatando a los falsos oprimidos, ante un pueblo que resulta ser vil y malvado, pero que al final se reconvierte al ver la luz.
Lo único positivo de este libro es el mensaje de lo innecesario de las venganzas generacionales, de rencillas de nuestros abuelos, donde ya han perdido el sentido y todo su poder, al final con el tiempo se vuelven meras consignas para dar un sentido a las vidas.
Que desafortunado final para esta saga.
July 14, 2017
After nearly 500 years of Kalkar rule, the rebellion started by Julian the 9th has continued and the Kalkars are now clinging to a portion of California, fighting to avoid being pushed into the sea and thereby falling off the Earth. The Americans have now become tribal. Julian the 20th is known as The Red Hawk. His people ride horses, carry bows and arrows and lances, live off the land ansd are friendly to some native tribes who remained oblivious to all of Kalkarian rule. A nomad exisatence - america has returned to what it once was before the invading Europeans conquered it. The novel is very short; it reads almost like a Western - Burroughs wrote a few Western romances as well - and ends with the pure bred Julian line marrying the pure bred Ortis line. and all is right again.
The significance of the trilogy lies in Burroughs ability to suggest a future that, while alarming, is certainly plausible. The trilogy makes for a good read.
The significance of the trilogy lies in Burroughs ability to suggest a future that, while alarming, is certainly plausible. The trilogy makes for a good read.
April 7, 2022
Rather thin story, all things told, somewhat less engaging with the previous two of the trilogy, of which the first is the only one that really stands out in my view. The Red Hawk has too many loose ends, once again the gratuitous boy-meets-girl trope and far too much focus on the violence needed.
The perceptions of American exceptionalism, introduced in part two, was ramped up to almost hysteric proportions in the Red Hawk, and although they were a good indicator of the mood in the USA at the time the exaggerations detract from the story.
Nice, quick read though and an interesting insight into Burroughs mindset.
The perceptions of American exceptionalism, introduced in part two, was ramped up to almost hysteric proportions in the Red Hawk, and although they were a good indicator of the mood in the USA at the time the exaggerations detract from the story.
Nice, quick read though and an interesting insight into Burroughs mindset.
April 5, 2025
Heigh-ho, Silver! Away!!
So here's how it's going down. Five hundred years from now, the men from the Moon are still our enemies. We have become native Americans living in the Arizona desert and jealous of the lush lands occupied by our sworn foe. It is time to fight and conquer. But can our warriors take on an enemy that is seemingly too numerous to count?
Read on and learn your future history. (Hint: Prepare the generations to come by learning archery and swordsmanship.)
So here's how it's going down. Five hundred years from now, the men from the Moon are still our enemies. We have become native Americans living in the Arizona desert and jealous of the lush lands occupied by our sworn foe. It is time to fight and conquer. But can our warriors take on an enemy that is seemingly too numerous to count?
Read on and learn your future history. (Hint: Prepare the generations to come by learning archery and swordsmanship.)
December 11, 2025
My first audio book. A fun listen.
Fast paced action. I enjoyed his descriptions of combat. A simple arch/ storyline, which is what makes it good for playing in the background while doing chores. Had no idea it was part of a trilogy, so it works quite well as a standalone.
Fast paced action. I enjoyed his descriptions of combat. A simple arch/ storyline, which is what makes it good for playing in the background while doing chores. Had no idea it was part of a trilogy, so it works quite well as a standalone.
July 12, 2017
A fitting end to one of my favorite series by Mr. Burroughs!
July 27, 2024
A very good finale to the trilogy. Very brief and doesnt get bogged down in lore.
August 9, 2025
Librivox Edition:
A good solid adventure tale (not very believable). Wonderful narration.
A good solid adventure tale (not very believable). Wonderful narration.
May 16, 2024
2.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Julian 20, scion of a long line of Julians who revolted against the Kalkar invasion of Earth, is set to lead one final push to be rid of west coast Kalkars for ever.
Review
While I enjoyed the first two books of the Moon Men trilogy, this final volume leaves an undeniable impression of being an incomplete, hasty work. It was published in 1925, well before Burroughs’ death, and in the same year as the much more interesting middle book of the trilogy. Yet it is far shorter than the first two books, lacks the framing they use, and fails to follow through on the promise set up in the first, that there is a generational time travel mechanism and that the protagonist has come back in time to avoid the mess the trilogy describes. I’d be interested to know whether Burroughs intended more books or just gave up on the whole series and tossed off this third book to close it out.
As a standalone story, this is in line with Burroughs’ standard ‘strong man, beautiful woman’ trope. There’s some action, but not really much effort to develop anything or anyone. Burroughs deliberately sets up the hero and his culture as violent and ignorant (but good hearted), and then … leaves it at that. He identifies a few kinder, gentler, more progressive folk and then leaves them be. Meanwhile, he’s mixing and matching cultures with abandon, which is interesting, with pointed critiques of the unseeing hero. It’s unusually subtle for Burroughs, and I’d like to think that he’s deliberately left the resolution up to the discerning reader. However, his writing generally spelled things out pretty clearly, and I don’t think that was the intent. It seems clear to me that he initially intended a much more complete development and wrap-up, but for some reason just threw up his hands and said, ‘Good enough’. Since this was first published in Argosy, perhaps he simply ran out of time and sent them what he had. It’s incomplete enough that I’d have expected him to fix it in subsequent editions. Or perhaps my (free, public domain) version didn’t have that update.
In any case, the whole trilogy is an odd mix – the first fairly standard; the second an unusual and thoughtful dystopia on Earth; and this third filled with subtle hints and commentary that are simply left where they fall. Overall, it’s dissatisfying, and I’d advise most readers to skip this and simply stop with book two.
Summary
Julian 20, scion of a long line of Julians who revolted against the Kalkar invasion of Earth, is set to lead one final push to be rid of west coast Kalkars for ever.
Review
While I enjoyed the first two books of the Moon Men trilogy, this final volume leaves an undeniable impression of being an incomplete, hasty work. It was published in 1925, well before Burroughs’ death, and in the same year as the much more interesting middle book of the trilogy. Yet it is far shorter than the first two books, lacks the framing they use, and fails to follow through on the promise set up in the first, that there is a generational time travel mechanism and that the protagonist has come back in time to avoid the mess the trilogy describes. I’d be interested to know whether Burroughs intended more books or just gave up on the whole series and tossed off this third book to close it out.
As a standalone story, this is in line with Burroughs’ standard ‘strong man, beautiful woman’ trope. There’s some action, but not really much effort to develop anything or anyone. Burroughs deliberately sets up the hero and his culture as violent and ignorant (but good hearted), and then … leaves it at that. He identifies a few kinder, gentler, more progressive folk and then leaves them be. Meanwhile, he’s mixing and matching cultures with abandon, which is interesting, with pointed critiques of the unseeing hero. It’s unusually subtle for Burroughs, and I’d like to think that he’s deliberately left the resolution up to the discerning reader. However, his writing generally spelled things out pretty clearly, and I don’t think that was the intent. It seems clear to me that he initially intended a much more complete development and wrap-up, but for some reason just threw up his hands and said, ‘Good enough’. Since this was first published in Argosy, perhaps he simply ran out of time and sent them what he had. It’s incomplete enough that I’d have expected him to fix it in subsequent editions. Or perhaps my (free, public domain) version didn’t have that update.
In any case, the whole trilogy is an odd mix – the first fairly standard; the second an unusual and thoughtful dystopia on Earth; and this third filled with subtle hints and commentary that are simply left where they fall. Overall, it’s dissatisfying, and I’d advise most readers to skip this and simply stop with book two.
March 16, 2014
The conclusion of Burroughs’ ‘The Moon Maid’ takes us centuries into the future from the time of ‘The Moon Men’ where the Kalkars have been wiped almost from the face of America. Their last stronghold is a lush coastal valley surrounded by desert in which dwells a tribe led by Julian 21st, also known as ‘The Red Hawk’
By this time the population of America has devolved into Amerindian tribes, but tribes who still follow ‘The Flag’ although (something which questions Burroughs’ notion of American ideals) they also still practice slavery. Admittedly, Burroughs points out that the slaves are treated with honour and decency, but they are nevertheless still slaves.
Julian’s tribe vows to invade the stronghold of the Kalkars and rid America of the last of them. In true Burroughs style he meets along the way a beautiful woman. The obstacle to their love is that she is the sister of the Or-Tis, leader of the Kalkars.
The Red Hawk prevails, the Kalkars are driven out and it is discovered that Or-Tis and his family have no evil Kalkar blood, but are genetically American.
‘The Moon Maid’ was originally written (or at least the ‘Moon Men’ section) set in a future America under the rule of Communists. Unable to find a publisher willing to print, Burroughs rewrote the story with the Communists replaced by the evil alien Kalkars, and subsequently topped and tailed it with the other two sections.
It’s an uneasy read from a modern perspective. Burroughs’ ideas on the purity of race have disturbing echoes in both America’s past and its future during the twentieth century.
There is an attempt at one point to put forth a view that the two sides should forget the ancient enmities of centuries before and live together in peace. From a dramatic point of view it would have been more interesting if the Kalkars had evolved during the elapsed time into a different sort of society, and peace been achieved.
The Kalkars however have not changed and are therefore exterminated (or at least driven into the sea) leaving the Americans victorious.
By this time the population of America has devolved into Amerindian tribes, but tribes who still follow ‘The Flag’ although (something which questions Burroughs’ notion of American ideals) they also still practice slavery. Admittedly, Burroughs points out that the slaves are treated with honour and decency, but they are nevertheless still slaves.
Julian’s tribe vows to invade the stronghold of the Kalkars and rid America of the last of them. In true Burroughs style he meets along the way a beautiful woman. The obstacle to their love is that she is the sister of the Or-Tis, leader of the Kalkars.
The Red Hawk prevails, the Kalkars are driven out and it is discovered that Or-Tis and his family have no evil Kalkar blood, but are genetically American.
‘The Moon Maid’ was originally written (or at least the ‘Moon Men’ section) set in a future America under the rule of Communists. Unable to find a publisher willing to print, Burroughs rewrote the story with the Communists replaced by the evil alien Kalkars, and subsequently topped and tailed it with the other two sections.
It’s an uneasy read from a modern perspective. Burroughs’ ideas on the purity of race have disturbing echoes in both America’s past and its future during the twentieth century.
There is an attempt at one point to put forth a view that the two sides should forget the ancient enmities of centuries before and live together in peace. From a dramatic point of view it would have been more interesting if the Kalkars had evolved during the elapsed time into a different sort of society, and peace been achieved.
The Kalkars however have not changed and are therefore exterminated (or at least driven into the sea) leaving the Americans victorious.
December 20, 2025
This was a good fun time!
August 26, 2012
Again, this book is much different from the first two, taking place 300 years after the Moon Men. We find Julian 20 living in a tribal situation much like a native American tribe. The feud with the Or-tis's continues. Much prejudice exists between the Kalkers, the Julians (descendents of Julian and their followers and the Or-tis's (descendents of Ortis and their followers). And then there are the slaves who follow which ever master is in control at the time. In such a short book ERB does an incredible amount of world building. This is a world fallen into decay with nearly all technology forgotten. The Julians worship the American flag like a god. There are so many wonderful little elements in this book and yet it still offers the action adventure ERB is so famous for. It also contains an appropriate ending to the Julian/ Ortis blood feud begun in the first book of the trilogy. All in all, a very satisfying read. I highly recommend this trilogy if you like ERB's better known classics
December 4, 2014
A contrived and silly conclusion to Burroughs' Moon series. Was he in a hurry to resolve this story? Ugh!
The Moon Men is one of Burroughs' best. Yes, I know he likes to wrap up all of his stories in a happy ending. It's one of the things I really like about him. But it's a really poor ending to a pretty good first and an amazing second book in the trilogy.
Very disappointing. At least it's really short. So short it's included at the back of The Moon Men paperback.
Arg!
The Moon Men is one of Burroughs' best. Yes, I know he likes to wrap up all of his stories in a happy ending. It's one of the things I really like about him. But it's a really poor ending to a pretty good first and an amazing second book in the trilogy.
Very disappointing. At least it's really short. So short it's included at the back of The Moon Men paperback.
Arg!
December 7, 2012
This is clearly a series of books for the SF fan. Invasion from the Moon that last for centuries. I was thrilled by them as a teenager. I loved them again a few years ago. I really have enjoyed Edgar Rice Burroughs writings all of my life.
July 21, 2014
More like 2.5 stars. This book had a different feel to it, than do other ERB books, but a very similar plotline. As the end of a series, it left much to be desired, but overall, I didn't like this series as much as I did others, anyway, so meh.
August 6, 2014
I found the conclusion to the Moon Maid trilogy to be somewhat disappointing. Taking place generations following the thrilling second novel, the dramatic finish I expected was somewhat lacking. It's pretty rare when the second book of a trilogy is the highlight!
July 1, 2015
Hopeful ending of the trilogy. A bit predictahble. Not bad but i definately prefer the barsoom series.
February 11, 2016
A good finish to the trilogy. Burroughs is always a great action filled read. Recommended
September 18, 2016
read some time in summer 1974
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