Where to Begin: The Best Starting Points
Edgar Rice Burroughs was one of the most prolific and influential writers of the early 20th century. While he is famous for creating massive, interconnected universes, readers do not need to tackle his entire bibliography at once. The two best starting points are the opening novels of his most famous series:
- For Adventure and Classic Pulp: Start with Tarzan of the Apes (1912). It introduces the iconic jungle hero and sets the tone for his survivalist, fast-paced action style.
- For Science Fiction and Planetary Romance: Start with A Princess of Mars (1912). This novel kicks off the Barsoom series, introducing the heroic Civil War veteran John Carter and his adventures on Mars.
The Grand Crossover: How the ERB Universe Connects
Many readers are surprised to learn that Burroughs created a shared universe long before modern cinematic franchises. While his series can be read independently, they converge in a major crossover event. If you want to experience the full continuity of this shared universe, you should read the Tarzan, Pellucidar, and Venus books in an order that aligns with their crossover points.
The critical junction centers on the Pellucidar series (which is set in a hollow Earth). To experience this crossover correctly, read the following books in this specific order:
- At the Earth's Core (Pellucidar Book 1) - Introduces the hollow Earth.
- Pellucidar (Pellucidar Book 2) - Builds the subterranean world.
- Tanar of Pellucidar (Pellucidar Book 3) - Establishes the conflict that leads to Tarzan's intervention.
- Tarzan at the Earth's Core (Tarzan Book 13 / Pellucidar Book 4) - The ultimate crossover where Tarzan travels to Pellucidar to rescue David Innes.
- Back to the Stone Age (Pellucidar Book 5) - Follows the aftermath of the crossover.
- Pirates of Venus (Venus Book 1) - Introduces Carson Napier, whose journey to Venus is initiated using technology and organizations established in the Tarzan and Pellucidar storylines.
Burroughs' Major Series and Subseries
The Tarzan Series
Spanning 24 classic books written entirely by Burroughs, the Tarzan series is the backbone of his bibliography. The series moves from Tarzan's origin to global adventures, war settings, and encounters with lost civilizations. Key entries include Tarzan of the Apes, The Return of Tarzan, and the primary crossover Tarzan at the Earth's Core. Later books like Tarzan and the Castaways compile shorter novellas. Posthumous and co-authored projects like Tarzan the Lost Adventure (completed by Joe R. Lansdale in 1995 from Burroughs' unfinished manuscript) are excellent additions for dedicated fans.
The Barsoom (John Carter of Mars) Series
The Barsoom series is a pioneering work of planetary romance. It consists of 11 core novels starting with A Princess of Mars and concluding with John Carter of Mars. Later publications like the 1976 A Guide to Barsoom and the 2012 movie novelization are companion pieces. The core trilogy (books 1-3) should be read in strict order, while later books shift focus to other characters on Mars, such as Carthoris, Thuvia, and Ulysses Paxton.
The Pellucidar Series
Set inside a hollow Earth populated by prehistoric creatures and telepathic reptiles, this 7-book series is one of Burroughs' most imaginative. Beginning with At the Earth's Core (1914) and wrapping up with Savage Pellucidar (1941) and Land of Terror (1944), it serves as the host setting for the major Tarzan crossover.
The Venus (Carson Napier) Series
Burroughs turned his sights to Venus in the 1930s with the Carson Napier adventures. This 5-book series begins with Pirates of Venus (1932) and follows a protagonist who originally aimed for Mars but missed, crash-landing in the misty jungles of Venus (Amtor) instead.
The Caspak (Land That Time Forgot) Trilogy
Set on a lost island in the South Pacific where evolution runs backward, the Caspak series is a tightly written trilogy: The Land That Time Forgot, The People That Time Forgot, and Out of Time's Abyss. Because they form a single continuous narrative, they are best read back-to-back.
The Moon Trilogy
The Moon series (comprising The Moon Maid, The Moon Men, and The Red Hawk) is a generational science fiction epic depicting an invasion of Earth by subterranean Moon-dwellers, spanning from the early 20th century to a distant, post-apocalyptic future.
Minor Series and Standalones
Burroughs also wrote historical fiction, westerns, and contemporary adventures. The Custer Siblings series (consisting of The Eternal Savage / The Eternal Lover and The Mad King) connects directly to the Tarzan universe through guest appearances. The Apache Novels (The War Chief and Apache Devil) offer a rare, sympathetic look at Native American history. His 3-book Mucker series follows Billy Byrne, a street tough from Chicago who undergoes a redemption arc across various exotic locations.
The Joe R. Lansdale Database Connection
Readers exploring our database will notice a section dedicated to Joe R. Lansdale graphic novels and books. This is because Lansdale was officially commissioned by the Burroughs estate to complete Tarzan the Lost Adventure (1995), utilizing an unfinished 83-page manuscript left behind by Burroughs. While this is the only direct Burroughs collaboration, our database lists other notable Lansdale works (such as The Drive-In and Gone to Texas) to capture the bibliography of this key collaborator who helped preserve Burroughs' legacy for modern readers.
What to Know Before You Start
Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote during the height of the pulp era. His style features rapid pacing, heavy reliance on coincidences, and cliffhanger endings. Readers should be aware that these stories reflect early 20th-century colonialist attitudes, racial stereotypes, and gender dynamics. Approaching these classics with historical context allows modern readers to appreciate their immense influence on science fiction, fantasy, and adventure writing.