Beyond Thirty

Beyond Thirty is a book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first published in 1916. Set in the year 2137, this riveting piece of classic science fiction imagines a world where the Western Hemisphere has completely isolated itself from the rest of the globe following a devastating global conflict. For over two centuries, no ship has crossed the 30th meridian, leaving the lands of Europe and Africa to fade into myth and legend. The story follows Jefferson Turck, a young naval officer who finds himself thrust into the unknown when his aero-submarine suffers a mechanical failure and drifts past the forbidden line, forcing him to confront a reality far different from the savage wilderness his society expects.

Upon reaching the shores of England, Turck discovers a world reclaimed by nature, where the remnants of once-great civilizations have regressed into primitive states. This lost world adventure takes a turn for the perilous as the protagonist navigates the ruins of London and encounters the fierce inhabitants of a fractured continent. The narrative masterfully blends elements of speculative fiction and survivalist drama, exploring themes of isolationism and the cyclic nature of human history. As Turck struggles to survive, he meets the courageous Victory, a princess of a local tribe, and together they navigate a landscape filled with both beauty and brutal danger.

Whether you are a fan of early 20th-century literature or modern dystopian tales, Beyond Thirty remains a foundational example of visionary storytelling that continues to captivate audiences today.