their power in Caspak. Bradley and Co-Tan escape after a series of life-and-death struggles, arriving in time to help the recaptured British crew kill the abusive von Schoenvorts and retake the sub. In the end, all parties are reunited and travel together to California aboard the U-boat and theToreador.

The Land That Time Forgot

In the stirring pages of the first novella, "The Land That Time Forgot," the narrative unfurls against the turbulent backdrop of World War I, just prior to America's entry into the fray. Bowen J. Tyler, Jr., an intrepid American, embarks on a voyage to France aboard a passenger ship, eager to stand against the German forces. However, his journey takes a perilous turn when a German U-boat attacks, sinking the vessel. Amidst the chaos, Tyler heroically rescues a fellow passenger, the enigmatic Lys La Rue, and together they are whisked to safety by a British tugboat. With daring resolve, they and the crew commandeer the submarine, which eventually drifts towards the icy realm of Antarctica. Running low on vital supplies, they discover a mysterious isle, encircled by towering cliffs, and navigate through an underground river into the wondrous, uncharted world of Caspak.

The World of Caspak

Within the spellbinding landscape of Caspak, all three novellas unfold, in a realm where evolution races forward at a breathtaking pace. A vast sea dominates the heart of Caspak, with the evolutionary journey stretching northward along its eastern and western shores. In the southern reaches of this sea reside primitive creatures, while the northern expanse is home to the apex of Caspakian life: the intelligent humans known as "Galu" and the fearsome, winged "Wieroo." These two species chart divergent paths of civilization, locked in an enduring enmity.

The Evolutionary Mystery

Initially, Tyler observes only that as he ventures north, the creatures and people he encounters appear increasingly advanced. It is only later that the extraordinary nature of human evolution in Caspak becomes clear. Astonishingly, women are oviparous, laying fertilized eggs that mature outside their bodies. In a remarkable journey, these eggs travel south with the warm stream, reaching the very cradle of Caspak's evolutionary tale. Here, the eggs metamorphose, ascending the evolutionary ladder from fish to amphibians, and even to dinosaurs. Many young fall prey to relentless predators; some stall at intermediate stages. Yet, a select few navigate every phase of animal and human evolution, emerging as either Galu or Wieroo. Among the Galu, a unique exception exists: if a woman's maternal lineage includes at least seven consecutive generations of Galu, she gains the rare ability to gestate children internally, akin to humans in the world beyond.

Many literary aficionados hail "The Land That Time Forgot" as Burroughs's magnum opus. At its core lies a brilliant premise—a universe where the evolutionary saga of the world plays out on an individual level. Burroughs meticulously unravels this concept, crafting a gripping enigma for the reluctant U-boat explorers to discover. While this central theme captivates, other narrative aspects remain familiar Burroughs staples. Convenient coincidences sprinkle the story, propelling the narrative without much rationale. A romantic subplot weaves through, anchoring the novella’s trajectory. Tyler epitomizes the archetypal Burroughs protagonist; unremarkable yet endowed with a charisma that garners trust and allegiance. His prudishness highlights the nonchalant nudity of the Caspakians, a people refreshingly free of bodily shame. In contrast, Tyler's narrow views on gender interactions seem almost comical. Lys, initially the quintessential Burroughs damsel—lovely, delicate, and yearning for protection—evolves into a resilient figure who embraces love on her own terms. Her transformation enriches the narrative, lifting "The Land That Time Forgot" beyond a mere adventure tale.

Burroughs's tales often draw parallels to daydreams, seen as vessels of wish fulfillment. Protagonists inevitably ascend as leaders of primitive tribes, find enchanting partners, and sail through thrilling escapades where malevolence is stark, and righteousness is conspicuously clear. The fantastical realms, gallant action, and nudity complement the notion that Burroughs crafted escapist fantasies for his readers. Each novella within "The Land That Time Forgot" embodies these elements, with frequent coincidences that lend the stories a dreamlike, meandering quality. However, "Out of Time's Abyss" diverges with its concentrated focus on Bradley's fierce conflict with Wieroo, from their relentless assaults to his daring escape from Oo-oh. Unlike the earlier narratives, where adversaries abound, Wieroo stands singularly as the villain here. Despite this streamlined plot and defined antagonism, "Out of Time's Abyss" offers less satisfaction than its predecessors.

"The Land That Time Forgot" and "The People That Time Forgot" mesmerize with the mystique of Caspak's evolutionary tale. By the commencement of "Out of Time's Abyss," the enigma is largely unraveled. Tyler has decoded much of the story's essence, and Bradley has traced its implications through Caspak's tribes. Additionally, both of the earlier novellas conclude with a sense of having embarked on epic odysseys; Tyler and Billings have witnessed wonders beyond imagination. The intricate depiction of the Wieroo city is commendable—its vivid portrayal brings it to life. Yet, "The Land That Time Forgot" and "The People That Time Forgot" also transport readers to astonishing locales, amplifying their aura of daring adventure.

Characterization in The Land That Time Forgot

In The Land That Time Forgot, vivid character portrayals elevate the narrative beyond the typical adventure tale. Tyler, who leads the first novella, embodies the quintessential Burroughs hero—noticeably nondescript yet brimming with the charisma of a natural leader. His companions are drawn to his command, willing to follow him into any unknown. Tyler's prudish nature clashes amusingly with the uninhibited nudity of the Caspakians. Burroughs does not critique Tyler's values per se but rather the inflexibility of his perspective; in a realm where attire is an afterthought, his notions of decency seem impractical and absurd.

The Evolution of Burroughs' Heroines

Initially, Lys fits the mold of a traditional Burroughs heroine—radiant, delicate, and seemingly reliant on her protector. Yet as the tale unfolds, she blossoms into a familiar Burroughs archetype: the resilient, self-sufficient woman who embraces love on her own terms. Similarly, Ajor from "The People That Time Forgot" and Co-Tan in "Out of Time's Abyss" stand as formidable female figures, matching their male counterparts in strength and resolve. Burroughs' male protagonists shine brightest when paired with such women. Left alone, they often grapple with flaws like excessive pride or stubbornness. It is the pursuit of love that compels them to reflect on and refine their values.

The Nature of Burroughs' Fantasies

Critics frequently categorize Burroughs' works as escapist reveries. His heroes invariably rise to lead primitive tribes, encounter enchanting lovers, and embark on remarkable escapades. Villains are unmistakably wicked, yet justice unfailingly prevails. The exotic backdrops, gallant feats, and pervasive nudity lend credence to the notion that Burroughs crafted daydreams for his readers. Furthermore, his recurring reliance on coincidence to propel the plot adds another layer of fantasy—despite dire predictions, the hero is never truly cornered, and rare is the Burroughs character who doesn't eventually wed, commit murder, or reveal themselves as a long-lost ally or nemesis.

In his portrayal of the Wieroo in "Out of Time's Abyss"—the third novella of The Land That Time Forgot—Burroughs crafts a sharp critique of eugenics. This idea, later tainted by the horrific misuse by the Nazis during World War II, has re-emerged in debates due to advancements in gene splicing and the potential for genetic modification of humans. Some interpret eugenics broadly, likening it to breeding livestock to enhance milk production. However, in its purest sense, eugenics focuses on the enhancement of humanity through genetic manipulation, whether through selective breeding or direct gene alteration. In Burroughs's narrative, the Wieroos exemplify this practice; their society is a brutal crucible where only the strongest endure. They possess distinct advantages over the human Galus, wielding wings to conquer the skies and exercising dominion over their environment, having banished predators from their island, Oo-oh, and stocked it with edible creatures.

However, the Wieroos are devoid of conscience, resorting to murder for personal gain. While laws constrain them to some degree—preventing the legal murder of those in higher castes—they can ascend the social hierarchy through the systematic elimination of peers. Burroughs's narrative can be seen as a commentary on eugenics, echoing his condemnation of vivisection in At the Earth's Core (1922), and he revisits similar themes in other works. In The Land That Time Forgot, Burroughs paints eugenics proponents as superficially more "civilized" than their evolutionary counterparts, the Galu, yet exposes their moral decay as a societal dead end. The Galus, though leading more primitive lives, are portrayed as a more enlightened people.

Additional Commentary

Evolution was a contentious issue when Burroughs penned The Land That Time Forgot in 1924. At the time, numerous states prohibited the teaching of evolution, favoring the biblical creation narrative. The 1925 trial of John Thomas Scopes, a Tennessee high school teacher accused of teaching evolutionary theory, captivated global attention as the infamous "Monkey Trial." Even now, decades later, the debate continues, although current laws safeguard the teaching of Darwinian principles.

Burroughs's exploration of evolution in The Land That Time Forgot is somewhat simplistic. Caspak's evolutionary ladder begins with primitive organisms transforming into fish, then reptiles, and eventually mammals and birds, yet the underlying process remains vague. While natural selection, Darwin's credited driver of life's diversity, seems absent in Caspak's evolutionary milestones, Burroughs avoids taking a definitive stance on natural selection versus religious explanations.

In examining the Wieroo, Burroughs delves into the theme of eugenics. Often, eugenics is misapplied to any selective breeding, like enhancing cattle for better milk yield, but it specifically pertains to human genetic improvement through controlled breeding or genetic alteration. Though discredited by the Nazis' wartime atrocities, genetic engineering has resurfaced in ethical and scientific dialogues, fueled by gene splicing advancements and sophisticated prenatal testing. These developments spark a renewed focus on humanity's intricate relationship with its genetic heritage.

The Wieroos embody eugenics, living in a cutthroat society where the weak are systematically eliminated. With the power of flight, they hold advantages over the Galu, and Burroughs intriguingly portrays them as, in some aspects, more "civilized" than their evolutionary rivals. Yet, their lack of moral compass reveals them as a cul-de-sac in evolution’s path. The Galu, despite their more archaic existence, emerge as a far more enlightened species.

While Burroughs ventures into profound ethical themes, many readers embrace The Land That Time Forgot for its sheer entertainment value. Though the tales brim with violence, they feature protagonists who shun savagery and prefer peace. Even the nudity depicted is modest, with women portrayed as robust and the men easily abashed. Ultimately, the book masterfully balances civilized humor within a feral and untamed world.

Burroughs's narratives that delve into the mysterious world of Pellucidar, a realm nestled at the earth's core, share a kinship with The Land That Time Forgot. The Pellucidar saga unfolds through the eyes of first-person storytellers, unveiling an untamed and primal landscape teeming with diverse human tribes and extraordinary, fearsome creatures. Once again, the theme of evolution weaves its way through these tales, adding depth and intrigue.

In contrast, the Barsoom series transports readers to a perilous frontier of high adventure, yet diverges from The Land That Time Forgot by portraying a once-sophisticated world now in decline, rather than one rendered savage by its primitive state. This shift in focus offers a fresh perspective, exploring the remnants of civilization amidst chaos.

The Cinematic Journey

In 1974, the first novella of The Land That Time Forgot leapt from page to screen in a film of the same name. Brought to life by American International and crafted by producer Samuel Z. Arkoff, the movie stars Doug McClure as Bowen Tyler, with Susan Penhaligon portraying his love interest, Lisa Clayton, and John McEnery as the enigmatic von Schoenvorts. Helmed by director Kevin Connor, the film showcases special effects that, though occasionally lackluster, lend a charmingly whimsical touch. The performances might draw laughter, perhaps not always intended, yet the film's playful spirit captivates audiences willing to overlook technical flaws.

The cinematic adaptation continued with the second novella, released by American International as The People That Time Forgot in 1977. Under the production of Max J. Rosenberg and the direction of Kevin Connor, this film takes bold creative liberties with Burroughs's original plot. Among the characters, only Ajor, portrayed by Dana Gillespie, remains a familiar figure to fans of the novella. Both films, though divergent in their storytelling, offer a captivating journey into Burroughs's imaginative worlds.

Aldiss, Brian W. "From Barsoom to Beyond the Borderlands: Swords, Sorceries and Zitdars." In Trillion Year Spree: The History of Science Fiction. 2nd ed. New York: Avon Books, 1986. Aldiss deftly encapsulates Burroughs's indelible mark on the tapestry of science fiction.

Gunn, James. Alternate Worlds: The Illustrated History of Science Fiction. New York: A & W Visual Library, 1975. Gunn explores the triumphant and prolific career of Burroughs, revealing the secrets of his enduring success.

Lupoff, Richard A. Edgar Rice Burroughs: Master of Adventure. New York: Ace, 1968. Unveils the origins and appraisals of Burroughs's novels, offering insights into the mastermind behind the adventures.

Nicholls, Peter, et al., eds. The Science Fiction Encyclopedia. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1979. Presents a sweeping survey of Burroughs's literary journey, casting a spotlight on The Land That Time Forgot within the grand scope of his oeuvre.

Porges, Irwin. Edgar Rice Burroughs: The Man Who Created Tarzan. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975. An authoritative and meticulously detailed biography, chronicling the life of the man who brought Tarzan into the world.