GULLIVAR JONES ON MARS (1905) – Written by Edwin L Arnold. In Part One of this review I explored this novel’s alternate titles and its cult reputation, plus the controversy which used to rage over whether or not Edgar Rice Burroughs may have read this work and gained inspiration for certain elements of his John Carter of Mars series. I also dealt with the end of that controversy when it became better known that BOTH Arnold and Burroughs may have been inspired by Gustavus Pope’s 1894 novel Journey to Mars.
Here in Part Two is the review proper, including revisions I would have made to Edwin Arnold’s incredibly flawed story.
Gullivar Jones on Mars starts out in the late 1860s or early 1870s with U.S. Navy Lieutenant Gullivar Jones, a veteran of the Union forces in the Civil War, in New York City on shore leave. He comes into possession of a Turkish rug with unexplained mystical powers. While standing on the unrolled rug he wishes he was on Mars and the flying carpet transports him there. (?)
REVISION: I would keep all of Gullivar Jones’ background info the same, but instead of the Turkish rug I would have him be one of many New Yorkers drawn to a strange spacecraft which lands near the docks. The daring Jones would climb into the remote-controlled vessel, which would trap him inside, sedate him with gas and then fly off back to Mars. Continue reading
THE HAT IN THE RING GANG: THE COMBAT HISTORY OF THE 94th AERO SQUADRON IN WORLD WAR ONE – Written by Charles Woolley, this excellent book covers America’s 94th Aero Squadron aka The Hat in the Ring Gang. 
DOUGHBOY WAR: THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE IN WORLD WAR I – Written/ edited by James H Hallas. I feel this book is perfect for people who are just diving into World War One and don’t want inundated with all of the overwhelming details of more involved works. Doughboy War covers every aspect of American soldiers’ experiences in the Great War, often in their own words. 
For Balladeer’s Blog’s review of the first episode of this 1971-1973 series about London by Gaslight detectives from both the Victorian and Edwardian Ages you can simply click 
Episode: THE ABSENT MINDED COTERIE (February 26th, 1973) 
NEGOTIATING THEIR WAY TO A WIN – The WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN, in a game moved up from November 14th, welcomed the CULVER-STOCKTON COLLEGE WILDCATS. After a scoreless 1st Quarter the Statesmen led 14-7 at Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended in a 14-14 tie before William Penn U went on to win the game 20-16 from there.
JIMMIES ON THE ROAD – The UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES, trying to salvage what they can of an ugly season, visited the BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY CHARGERS yesterday. By the Half the Jimmies had built up a 14-3 advantage over the Chargers, but that was cut to a 17-10 edge in the 3rd Quarter. The defenses ruled in the 4th, so 17-10 was the final tally as well. 
RUINED SENIOR DAYS – The MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PIONEERS disrupted the Senior Day festivities for the MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS by defeating them 28-23 ### And the MIDLAND UNIVERSITY WARRIORS handed the DOANE COLLEGE TIGERS a 28-3 Senior Day loss. 
Balladeer’s Blog’s reviews of my picks for The Top Five Harry Flashman Novels are still getting more than their share of attention. (Click 
Projected Title: FLASHMAN DOWN UNDER 
Once word reached California about Australia’s very own Gold Rush, Harry could have boarded a ship for Down Under either along with some of the Cali Aussies OR trying to slip away from them for his usual reasons – having slept with some of their women, conning them out of money, etc. 
GULLIVAR JONES ON MARS (1905) – Written by Edwin L Arnold, this novel was originally published under the title Lieut. Gullivar Jones: His Vacation. Years later, with the spelling of the lead character’s first name altered, it was published as Gulliver of Mars. Over the years it was revived under a variety of titles. I’m using the title that I prefer – Gullivar Jones On Mars. 
If Arnold had written this story decades later it could have been said that he was intentionally subverting the tropes of heroic sword & science epics. Unfortunately, this novel instead seems to be the victim of ineptitude on the author’s part. 
5. THE COCOANUTS (1929) – The Plot (As if it mattered) – A hotel manager (Groucho) plots a real estate swindle during the Florida land boom while a jewel theft on the premises attracts unwanted attention from the law. Chico and Harpo sow all manner of confusion while Margaret Dumont and Zeppo are on hand in their familiar and comfortable straight roles. 
Episode: THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILWAY (January 29th, 1973) 
Lady Molly was the actual detective in her stories. Polly Burton (Judy Geeson), while a spunky reporter who never lets people belittle her over her gender, was really just the Archie Goodwin/ Dr Watson for the Teahouse Detective aka the Old Man in the Corner. 
COMEBACK KIDS – The ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM traveled to face the SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS yesterday. The Lions led 14-7 in the 1st Quarter and 31-14 by Halftime. The Firestorm blazed back from there, going on top 35-31 to end the 3rd Quarter before winning the game 41-37. ACU remains undefeated. 
DEFENDING CHAMPS SURVIVE A SCARE – The 2-time defending National Champions – the MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS – visited the DORDT COLLEGE DEFENDERS. A 14-10 Mustangs edge at the Half became a 35-23 advantage in the 3rd Quarter before Morningside College had to hold on tight against the Defenders in the 4th. The Mustangs improved to 6-0 with a 35-30 victory. DC fell to 5-2. 
TEXAS-OKLAHOMA CLASH – The WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PIONEERS played host to the OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE AGGIES (should be Okies). The Pioneers led 19-17 at the midpoint, the Aggies went out in front 24-22 to end the 3rd Quarter, and Wayland Baptist U bounced back in the 4th to win out 29-24. 
