The protagonist is a soldier from the Great War whose tale John Carter has brought to Earth. Having saved the life of an ancient Martian who sells new bodies to wealthy Martians, he learns from this genius the arts of suspended animation and brain transplantation. During his apprenticeship, he falls in love with one of the victims of his master's profitable trade. When her body becomes the property of the evil ruler of a distant city, he revives experimental subjects and sets forth to recover her body. The team includes the man he killed almost the moment he arrived on the planet, a great white ape with half of the brain of a human being, and a famous assassin. After many adventures, they succeed in their quest, end the misrule of the evil Jeddara, and secure a happy ending for every member of the team. The narrative includes a hefty dose of satire against organized religion, one passage being worthy of Jonathan Swift. (Summary by Thomas A. Copeland)