The Lost Continent

The Lost Continent follows Jefferson Turck, a Pan-American Navy officer in the year 2137, as he navigates a world shaped by centuries of isolation between continents. After his ship veers off course during a routine patrol, Turck finds himself in forbidden waters near what was once Europe. The story takes place in an alternate timeline where the Western Hemisphere cut off all contact with the rest of the world after a devastating plague in 1917. The Pan-American Navy maintains a strict boundary line at 30°W longitude and 175°W longitude, beyond which no citizen may venture. Through Turck's journey across the former European continent, he encounters the remnants of civilization and witnesses how two centuries of complete separation have transformed both the land and its inhabitants. His observations of this changed world raise questions about isolation, progress, and the consequences of cutting ties between nations. The novel explores themes of isolationism versus global connection, while examining how societies evolve when separated from the wider world. Burroughs presents a cautionary vision of what happens when fear drives humanity to embrace extreme measures of self-preservation.

Reader reviews call this one of Burroughs' lesser works, with most noting it doesn't match the excitement of his Tarzan or Mars series. Readers appreciate: - The fast-paced naval battles - The creative alternate history premise - The pulp adventure elements - The detailed world-building of future Europe Common criticisms: - One-dimensional characters - Dated racial stereotypes and prejudices - Predictable romance subplot - Plot holes in the post-apocalyptic setting Review scores: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (324 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (89 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.3/5 (41 ratings) Multiple reviewers on Goodreads note that the book "starts strong but loses steam halfway through." Several Amazon reviews mention enjoying it primarily as "lightweight entertainment" rather than serious science fiction. A common thread across review sites is that first-time Burroughs readers should start with his other works instead.

At the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs This story takes readers into a prehistoric world beneath Earth's surface where humans battle dinosaurs and strange creatures.

The Land That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs A submarine crew discovers an isolated land where evolution progresses from primitive to advanced forms through the lifetime of each organism.

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne Three adventurers travel through volcanic tubes to reach underground realms filled with prehistoric creatures and natural wonders.

The Moon Pool by Abraham Merritt Scientists encounter an ancient civilization and otherworldly forces in a hidden underground realm in the South Pacific.

The People That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs A rescue mission to a prehistoric island leads to encounters with primitive tribes, evolved dinosaurs, and ancient civilizations.

🌊 The Lost Continent was first published in 1916 under the title "Beyond Thirty," referring to the story's premise that no one could cross longitude 30° West or longitude 175° West after a great war in 1915. 🗺️ The novel presents an alternate history where Europe and Asia have reverted to barbarism while the Americas remain civilized - a striking reversal of the common "civilized Europe/barbaric New World" trope of the era. 📚 This was one of the few Edgar Rice Burroughs novels that wasn't serialized in magazines before book publication, unlike his more famous works like Tarzan and John Carter. 🌍 The story was written during World War I, reflecting contemporary anxieties about the war's potential to destroy European civilization - a theme that would become even more relevant after the war's devastating conclusion. 🎯 Despite being set in 2137, the novel accurately predicted several aspects of naval warfare, including the use of submarines and aircraft carriers, which were still in their infancy when the book was written.