Rating: 
Summary: another disappointment from Crichton
Review: It is surprising to me that I can enjoy greatly most of Crichton's books but this Timeline seemed silly, I couldn't wait to finish it. Nearly as bad as Airframe.
Rating: 
Summary: A lack and a lass...
Review: Crichton again has used the formula that brought such an amazing payoff with Jurassic Park: A thin outline of genuine science, liberally overlaid by sensationalist sci-fi speculation, forms the framework of a high-paced dramatic adventure. With, of course, a smattering of love interest.Unfortunately, the gaps in the pseudo-science of Timeline are even more glaring than in Jurassic Park. Good science fiction should be believable, or at least logical! Crichton chooses quantum physics as his playground, stretches a few fringe facts to extremes, and voila, TIME TRAVEL! His "quantum computer", which uses the theoretical 32 quantum states of individual electrons for ultra-high-density data storage and manipulation, is the most plausible part of the picture he paints. Then he uses his quantum computer to record the enormous amount of data required to formulate a human being, and somehow transfer that into another time and place. Never mind the details. No, no, I don't mean I won't give away the details; I mean Crichton never gives away the details! And there are a lot of big details missing! For instance, Crichton completely forgets to posit an interface capable of making that data into real protoplasm... If his quantum computer could create matter from mere data, jeez, wouldn't that be, like, God?!! It would at least put manufacturing out of business! However, once Crichton gets his characters into the past, he comes into his own. He paints a highly knowledgeable and convincing picture of the place and period. This is where his tale shines! The unexpected complexity and structure of the "Dark Ages" comes to life - language, economy, social roles, architectures and all. And he gives us a clear contrast between life in modern society versus life in that past: Safety and control, versus unexpected physical and mental challenge. He makes his point clearly. How very less alive we are in our sanitized modern world! Despite the book's obvious flaws, ultimately, it is a fast-paced, good read, and manages to provoke some real thought. And dreams...
Rating:
Summary: Timeline Trouble
Review: This book was fairly well planned, but spent entirely too much time in the past. As the book progressed it seemed to turn into a non-fiction history book and a bore. Although planned craftfully with excitement the ending was not at all at the level he can write. Throughout the book I saw no plot development, as in Congo and Sphere. During some points in these books the characters warmed up a bit, but not nearly enough. In my opinion, I would only recommend to somebody who is into the middle ages and its inhabitants.
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing
Review: This was really a page turner for me. I enjoyed the combination of history, time travel, and quantum physics.
Rating:
Summary: Crichton does it again!
Review: Once again, Michael Crichton has superbly masterminded a spellbinding book. Not since Jurassic Park has such an enthrallin book come out of his repertoire! The thing people love so much about Crichton's books is that he is able to manipulate scientific knowledge in such a way that it fulfils his fictional fantasies in a way that, to those educated enough, actually appears feasible, and to those less educated, well, it appears as comprehensible as ancient Greek. Not knowing the science behind the novel does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book however, as the characters, transported back in time spend 37 hours running about 14th century France dodging the dangers of the 100 years war. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to all those who find science-fiction fascinating...
Rating:
Summary: A tiresome trip to the past
Review: While I thought the story iself was fairly imaginative, I thought the time spent in the "past" was an enormous amount of boring running around, one silly life-threatening event after another. Sometimes I couldn't even quite understand the physical circumstances in which these events took place. I was just so glad to finally finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best, but good
Review: If you are a loyal Crichton fan, you will enjoy this book. It probably will not make it to the top of your list, but enjoyment will be there. If you are new to Crichton, you are sure to enjoy this book. It has of what you heard about him. Michael Crichton does a wonderful job of offering the reader scientific facts along with his wonderful stories. Most of the time, these facts are easily understood, although occasionally, a reader may get lost. In Timeline, I was getting a little 'fuzzy' when they were talking about the quantum phsyics, but hey its quantum phsyics. I re-read that part a couple of times, although it might not have been necessary. I only have two complaints about Timeline. First, the peripheral characters were a little hard to keep up with. Second, the ending was slightly predictable (although does offer a couple of turns in the middle and end). All in all, I think it is a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended for Anyone!
Review: This was my first Michael Crichton book, and the first book about Time Travel I have ever read that sounded like it could work. It was very interesting to read and kept me on the edge of my seat. I would recommend to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Crichton delivers -- again...
Review: Crichton remains at the top of my Favorite Tech-Fiction Writers list with this exciting story of "multiverse" travel to medieval France. As with all of his novels, he maticulously researched all aspects of the novel - from quantum mechanics right down to the food served at a 14th century dinner. I was not bothered by the fact that it read more like a screenplay than a novel. I found myself casting the film as I went along. I even had my book club participate in the casting. If one must be critical, there are holes in the premise of the story. For example, if the travel to the parallel universe was truly like "faxing", why did the original "fax" (i.e. person) have to be destroyed in the current universe? There are several examples like this one that a critic could harp on, but if you don't treat it like a Feynman text book, you'll enjoy it more. It's a great read - highly recommended for any Crichton or techie/sci-fi fan.
Rating:
Summary: Quantum technology, time travel, AMAZING
Review: This book is the first of Crichton's which I've read, and I must say its simply amazing. He makes the possibilities of quantum physics seem so real! Some of the characters are not too developed, but the plot itself and the sci-fi aspects easily overshadow this small imperfection. This novel should definitely be the next movie based on one of Crichton's works. Amazing sci-fi, emotions, this is one to read!
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