Rating: 
Summary: Makes History Meaningful and Pure Entertainment
Review: Needless to say I enjoyed this book. While it gave some informative historical perspectives, it also entertained. No doubt a movie is on the "event" horizon for this one. There are some aspects that defy logical reasoning and, yes, their could be some character development. However, who cares? This was a fun 7 hour read. I look forward to the 3 hour movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Huge Disappointment
Review: One of very few books that I just couldn't get invloved in. The ending is fairly predictable and the book is a chore to read. I think Chrichton is trying to sell movies rather than write good books. Airframe was the last book I really enjoyed from him.
Rating:
Summary: One of his best
Review: Critchon's gift for weaving physics, quantum theory, and history into a riveting story is unparalleled. I've read all his books, and this one ranks as one of his best. I finished this book in two days, I did not want to put the book down. I also enjoyed the character development of "Chris," from a relative weak character who seemed to be the slowest to adjust to the main characters' situations, to a strong, more self confident person. I recommend to everyone who enjoys reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Crichton Rides Again....
Review: Timeline is a return to the well-researched, carefully explained, writing style of Jurassic Park, unlike the topic-worn-thin trailer novel Lost World. An archaelogical team working on a medieval castle site in France are sent back in time to rescue their team leader who has been floated back into time on "quantam foam," residue from the big bang creation of the universe. The meglamaniacal CEO of ITC Industries is planning to use the technology to send wealthy tourists back to the past for "authentic" entertainment. Never mind the problems with messing with the past that might erase or alter the future, "The Past is the Future" for ITC. Plenty of blood and gore, along with Crichton's careful explanation of quantam physics and possible glitches to boot make this an interesting novel for those who like to think about new things. Still, the plot is predictable and the theme park run by an eccentric multimillionaire has regular Crichton readers waiting for something entirely new and fresh. Not a bad read, but not Crichton's greatest either. Look for the movie at a theater near you.
Rating: 
Summary: A great premise...and not much else.
Review: Very disappointing. A promising idea but... shallow characters, far too many predictable close calls/narrow escapes without tension, and loose threads, made this a big yawn. About 1/3 of the way through, I started to skip-read to get through the drivel. Some early potential plot directions were later abruptly dismissed in a couple of sentences for no apparent reason. It feels like Mr. Crichton wrote this on a single plane trip (N.Y. to L.A.?). Perhaps on his way to sell the movie rights?
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: As a fan of both Crichton and historical fiction, I found this book very disappointing. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy it. Timeline is fast-paced and contains plenty of made-for-Hollywood and/or computer games violence and scenarios. The character development is minimal, however, and will require the assistance of some very talented actors to make Crichton's two-dimensional figures come to life. The historical reconstruction is equally shallow, with all events taking place in a theme-park medieval France devoid of all but bloodthirsty knights, fair (but appropriately feminist) maidens, and pious monks. Crichton's previous attempts at historical reconstruction (Eaters of the Dead, The Great Train Robbery) were more successful. His failure here results in a book that kept me turning the pages as much out of mirth as from suspense. I can't wait for the movie!
Rating:
Summary: One big bloody chase scene; one big bloody disappointment
Review: As I read Crichton's latest novel, I couldn't help but have a sense of deja vu. Hmmm...where have I heard this story before? I know! In a CHILDREN'S BOOK! Ever read "How I Faced the Hampshire Mauler" from Max and Me and the Time Machine by Gery Greer and Bob Ruddick? Well, the jousting tournament,the knight dressed in black and even the sensations felt by the characters while being transported are strikingly similar. I looked forward to Timeline with great anticipation, but was truly disappointed that Crichton saw fit to develop nothing more than a brutal, disgusting, head-lopping chase scene instead of his characters. Crummy plot and shallow characters...just the right ingredients for a mainstream cinema hit. Crichton really seems to have opted in favor of writing fodder for Hollywood; too bad any quality is nonexistent.
Rating:
Summary: Very Fun
Review: I must say, that Timeline was very different. It was not what I was hoping for, but it was still a fun book to read. I thought that it was a neat premice, but the way he wrote it did not fit the story. It was still enjoyable, and I liked it a lot.
Rating:
Summary: Time Line
Review: Michael Crichton has got himself another great journey as well as a magnificent adventure into a relm of suspence and danger.
Rating:
Summary: Old Wine in A New Skin
Review: This scenario was painted by L. Sprague DeCamp and Fletcher Pratt in the Incomplete Enchanter and Castles of Iron years ago. Not an original idea or setting. Only the quantum time machine is new. I thought the book was tedious.
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