Rating: 
Summary: wake up and finish the book
Review: Although it started with an interesting spark, it quickly became almost painfully uninteresting to read. However, if you can stay awake long enough, that will change. The last 2/3rds of the book builds quickly and won't let you go. Timeline started with 1 star and ended with a 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a great book, but still a good book
Review: While it lacks some of the appeal of some of his earlier titles (such as more 3-dimensional characters), Crichton has done his research on medieval society and culture and still delivers a good, solid novel overall. Definitely worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad at all
Review: Mr. Crichton has written a pretty good story here. Scientific explanations of the multiverse are understandable (probably to be scorned by real physicists,but whatever), plot is tight and really good on timing. Crichton's weakness as a writer tends to be character development, and TIMELINE is no exception. The characters are, at best, a sketchy set of skills and traits without much depth. It will make a better movie! Read it anyway - it's a fun ride. You'll be ahead of the pack when you see the flick. A much better books on the same theme: Connie Willis' DOOMSDAY BOOK.
Rating:
Summary: An OK book by a great author
Review: Simply not up to Crichton's normal, groundbreaking efforts. A great idea for a story and well written - but I did feel it was too similar to Jurassic Park in concept. A good read but wish I'd waited for the paperback edition. I'm currently enjoying his "Travels" trade paperback.
Rating: 
Summary: Is The Past Really Past
Review: A fabulous trip to and from another time? Whether you agree with the premise of Crichton's "travel" scenario or not, it is fascinating nonetheless. A unique and intriguing web of technology and the romance or the 14th century. Crichton weaves an engaging tale that acquaints the reader with quantam physics as well as broadswords-man-ship, all in a cohesive storyline. Highly readable. A great story which captures and sustains our attention with a terrific plot and vivid mental images of the 14th and 21st century.
Rating:
Summary: A good read, in spite of itself
Review: Am I the only reviewer who was reminded of the TV show Sliders? Right down to the Professor, the girl, and two younger men. I wonder if Crichton had been watching this TV series when he got the idea for the book. I did enjoy the story, in spite of the predictability, and the never-ending cliffhangers. I found myself almost overwhelmed by so much action; there was never a dull moment. The historical aspects were a plus, and Crichton did manage to accomplish what only a very good writer can: he kept me turning the pages!
Rating: 
Summary: DR WHO AND THE MAD GREEN KNIGHT
Review: I have always enjoyed Michael Crichton books, they are great page-turning stories that seem to grip you in a way that forbids you from putting them down. They never have very interesting characters, but their blandness in the past have been over compensated by some of the most original,. Thought provoking twists and turns. Timelime will not let you stop reading, once you start.... But when you get to the end and you reflect...oh dear! This basically a great Dr. Who story, not a bad thing in itself but unfortunately this is marketed to a adult audience .... So 5stars if you are 8- 13 years old, 2stars 15 plus years old.... Disagree ? all I can say is The Mad Green Knight Who Lives Is The Magic Cave, I rest my case.
Rating: 
Summary: HORRIBLE-I could have written better!
Review: What a horrible disappointment. I find it hard to believe the same author who wrote the the books first 20 or so pages wrote the remainder of the book. My mouth watered when hearing of a modern day tale of time travel to the medievel era by Crichton. What incredible poor character development.... De Kere left behind ? The professor? The Green Chapel Knight? After figuring out the ending early in the book ( we know how many die), I was awaiting some plot twist but this never came. It will be a long time before I read another of his books again.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline is Crichton's Best!
Review: I do NOT understand what the other less rated reviewers read, but it most surely was not Timeline. I have read all of his books starting with Andromeda Strain in the early 1970's, and I think this book has more depth and thought. He did a lot of research to produce this book and from the physics to the time period, my imagination left the room. The characters were very well described as well as the terrain involved in each setting. This will be a movie as sure as Jurrasic Park was. I am not a casual book reader as I read all the time. I am also considered a very picky reader not easily entertained. This is one of the best books I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: An acquired taste
Review: After reading a handful the other reviews for this book, I began to realize that "Timeline" may not be for everyone. In my opinion, Michael Crichton brilliantly weaves the intricasies of today's technological advancements with the intriguing elements of an unfamiliar historical culture to captivate the minds of imaginative readers. Genius descriptions of physical and chemical phemnomena make this fiction novel at times seem all too real. The development of the characters seem to cater to a smooth transition to the movie screen, but I feel that this is what makes this book such a smooth, captivating read. If you love physics and history, the time spent reading this book is a small price to pay for the entertainment it brings. A ten-hour movie in your head without the budget restraints on special effects (of course reading time may vary)! Happy Reading...
| 
