The action starts as three German and Austrian scientists fly towards the North Pole in a balloon. There they discover a Martian base.
The Martians want to help mankind to develop, in return for solar power and air, in which Mars is lacking. However, the English interfere and this leads to a war followed by a Martian Protectorate of Europe. After a rebellion, the Martians withdraw. Only when humans have reached an equal state of ethical, sociological and technological development like the Martians can relationships between the two planets be fully reestablished.
Lasswitz was a scientist, and his description of Mars relates closely to the ideas published in the US by Percival Lowell in 1896, which detailed vast stretches or irrigation canals crisscrossing the planet's surface. In its turn, the book was highly influential on a number of future German scientists, including Wernher von Braun, the developer of the V1 and V2 flying bombs, and architect of the Apollo missions to the moon. His story also reflects both the political situation in Europe at that time when Britain and Germany were struggling for supremacy.
Han Kantian philosophy about equality and benign beings living in harmony led to the book being banned by the Nazis in 1930 for being too democratic. Although dated, it merits reading today and makes an interesting comparison with H. G. Wells' treatment of the subject written the following year.
