Rating: 
Summary: His Best Since Sphere
Review: Timeline is one of the greatest books I've read in years. Crichton is my favorite author and his Timeline gave me great pleasure in reading. This is an extremely complex book and only an intelligent writer like Crichton can pull it off. Timeline takes you from the modern sciences of today's world to the past of the 1300's. He did his research and explained it well.My only complaints is that at times, it seemed I was watching a cartoon. Every five pages or so, there would be a new problem with sword fighting, fires, or diseases, and the characters would always make it out OK. All the conflicts in the book add to the excitment but it is just way too much and hard to believe. But on the other hand, Crichton knows what he is talking about. His bibliograpy is three pages longs. He explains complex quantum physics simply to where one would not be hung up, and continue on the story. He also shows his intelligence about the 14th century; including swordfighting techniques, castle architecture, and the languages. I hated for this book to be over. I wish it was twice as thick, and now we have to wait for the movie (I'm sure it will be a movie).
Rating: 
Summary: SLIGHTLY UNDER-RATED
Review: I give this book a solid 4 stars. Here's why. First of all, the pacing I felt was really good throughout. As with most of Crichton's stories, it is very original. Time travel isn't, I know, but the Quantum theory aspect of it is. Let's face it, technology is advancing so rapidly who's to say what we can do in a couple dozen years. For those of you who think time travel is impossible, remember that to a cave man reaching the moon would have been impossible. But we did it, didn't we? Also, Timeline deals with PARALLEL UNIVERSES. Or MULTIVERSES, as some call it. That is how you can go back in time and change stuff. Enough of the time travel stuff. This book has some really neat scenes in it and some really interesting characters. It's a modern-medieval fantasy with a strange twist to it. It's definitely not better than Jurassic Park, though, but it is one of Crichton's better books.
Rating: 
Summary: Literary cheese
Review: The title of this book should have been "Timeline: The Movie", because that's what it is. In fact, according to Crichton's official site, the movie rights have already been secured and it's a go for 2002! Don't expect "The Andromeda Strain" or even "Jurassic Park". This is a mildly enjoyable page-turner featuring cardboard cutout characters and shaky science (that isn't explained well, even if it is plausible). Will be forgotten the day after you finish it.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: What I really like of Chrichton is the fact that his books are not only great in the entertainment area, but you also learn a lot about facts. It seems he prepares himself really good before he writes the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Hangover Material, Poor Otherwise
Review: OK, I have to admit for me it was 'good hangover material' - lying down on a sofa with a hot cuppa tea and some chocolate, maybe some good music (Coldplay in my case) playing in the background. Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself, let me go back and tell you the whole story! There seemed to be perfect synergy between the state of my mind and the book Timeline: Having started to read the book on Saturday (and believe me the beginning of the book was fairly promising), this was rudely interrupted by a night out seeing a football game (soccer to our American cousins) and thereafter, drinking a few beers. For some reason (must have been something I ate . . .), next day seemed to be a good reading day. And read is what I did. I finished the next 300 pages or so. It was a good way to pass such a day: with a book that required about as much intelligence as the average goldfish. I won't write what was lacking in this book as its been written about in much detail. All I want to say is: 1. Buy it, only if you're planning to go out for a few beers or 10 and want to slightly stimulate your mind the next day. 2. If this does not apply, then don't bother because Timeline is highly disappointing, epecially for a man who brought to us Disclosure.
Rating:
Summary: Mind-bending Science
Review: I'm giving this 4 stars simply because of the way it brought mind-bending quantum physics into the mainstream. I may even read a couple of the books Crichton referenced in the bibliography. If this light treatment of quantum science causes a good number of people to read serious scientific works, then it has accomplished something. I have only a few criticisms. I would have liked even more science , and the constant, and I mean constant, cliffhangers for the main characters became very frustrating. He could have used this time for more paradoxical science or medieval history. I do applaud his lengthy research, however. Also, the female lead was the typical tough heroine with no personality, which is getting wearisome. I took one star off for swearing. Just because every other author does doesn't mean you have to. I didn't sense this book was a screenplay, but I did feel that it sort of set up a sequel for the life of Marek or maybe the ITC founder. I never did understand why Traub ended up in the desert, though. I felt like the first part of the book was better constructed than the second half, almost as if Crichton got tired out or hired a ghost writer. I think an editor should have caught that Traub wasn't explained or that the answering machine Stern sent back wasn't mentioned my the main characters.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline = False Suspense
Review: Crichton has sunk to the level of B-Grade movies. It seems to plague many highly successful writers. They invent a ridiculous, unbelievable situation to put their protagonists in a dangerous situation. In Timeline, for example, he has two highly intelligent people floating down a dark underground river in a boat while holding a lit torch. Can you believe that neither person was watching their route ahead? Neither can I, but Crichton has some stalagtites appear that knock the person holding the torch into the river! This is only one of many examples in the book of how not to write suspense into fiction. It was a 23-hour day of traveling, so I did suffer through to a reasonably good ending.
Rating:
Summary: World Class Narration
Review: The unabridged audio tapes have the best narration of a full-length novel that I have ever heard. The range of characterization is compelling, entertaining and convincing. You can't beat this cassette edition for commuting to work-- it will make you look forward to the drive!
Rating:
Summary: "Awesome Time Travel Adventure"
Review: I love time travel stories to begin with, and "Timeline" did not disappoint. Three history students are sent back to the Middle Ages by a genius billionaire to save their stranded professor. As soon as they land, they're in trouble. Every 5 pages a new danger awaits. Jousting tournaments, swordfights, puruits by knights, even a medeival seige. The drama and adventure do not let up. Pretty good characters. None overly heroic, though Andre comes the closest, since he is very into the Middle Ages, to the point of learning how to swordfight. Kate isn't afraid to take risks and can take care of himself. Chris was the most interesting. Sort of the Gilligan of the group, always getting into trouble. Loved his development throughout the story. Crichton did an excellent job depicting the Middle Ages as acurately as you can get. No proper, Shakesperean English or gallant, honorable knights. Kept it real, gritty and even showed how the English language then was nothing like it is today. Also liked his explanation for how they travel to the past. A non-techie like me was able to grasp most of it. Well researched and well plotted. Another winner from Mr. Crichton.
Rating:
Summary: I liked it!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I wish it could have been longer, I wish there was a little more detail in the midsection. I wish the ending were not quite so quick.... but I enjoyed it so much, I might still be wishing for these things if the book were twice as thick. I reallly loved the setup between the high tech and the mediaeval. I wish Crichton would write about the continuing adventures of Merik(sp?).
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