PELLUCIDAR

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with AT THE EARTH'S CORE.]--Books of fantastic adventure were much beloved in early twentieth-century America, and no writer rode the crest more effectively than Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of the Tarzan and the Princess of Mars series, among others. His books, with many million sold, are gradually entering the public domain. Indeed, free downloads of them can be found at several Web sites. The two books featured here begin the seven-volume saga of David Innes and his exploration of the savage inner side of our supposedly hollow earth. An eternal noonday sun illumines a land of huge and ravenous beasts, many prehistoric; fierce humans; and other intelligent life-forms. Patrick Lawlor is good with characterization. Especially good at bringing excitement into his youthful-sounding voice, he makes the listener want to keep listening. D.R.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 04]