Rating: 
Summary: 3.5 Stars
Review: Imagine technology being invented that can send people to parallel universes that exist at different points in history, essentially almost the same thing as a trip back in time. Good starting point for an adventure story, eh? Now imagine such technology in the hands of an unstable rich genius combining the merchandising greed of Mike Eisner and the megalomaniacal qualities of Bill Gates. Suddenly it doesn't seem as compelling. Toss in a scholar completely versed in every aspect of the culture they end up visiting (gee, what are the odds?), along with several other personality types. Evil lords, nasty soldiers, ravishing ladies. Chances are you have an idea of the predictability factor by now.In true Crichton form, (almost) everything is backed up by science - you can tell he's done his homework. Too bad that, in this case, all the science serves as nothing but props for the plot. People talk differently in the past? No problem, invent a device that translates for you. Need a deadline to create some suspense? Have a 37-hour limit on how long the machine can stay in the past, complete with a digital readout counting down the time remaining. At times I wished it had been done as a straight sci-fi story: Crichton bends over backwards to give the impression *this could actually be done,* only to set up a straight adventure story that could (and was probably meant to) become just a standard swashbuckling adventure movie. It's like using a 60-piece symphony to orchestrate a Rolling Stones album. And yet, familiarity doesn't stop anyone from spinning Beggars Banquet one more time. Despite the overworking tendencies, "Timeline" is an unashamedly fun read. And isn't that what we look to Crichton's fiction for in the first place?
Rating:
Summary: A decent blend of science and fiction
Review: Not the best of his works but it did have me thinking of the possibilities. I found it entertaining and that is, in part, what recreational reading is about. The plot and characters were not as strong as I would have thought for a Crichton novel, but then there is always Airframe. Overall I would put this book on your list of reads but I would not put down what you are doing just to read it. This is a good "between novels" book.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe a decent movie; just an "OK" book
Review: I've read Sphere (good; better than movie), Lost World (terrible book and movie), and Jurassic Park (good; much better than movie). Timeline fell sort of in between the best and worst of Crichton. It was a fun book to read, but not what I would call a "good book" -- an "OK" book, if you will. It felt more to me like a movie screenplay in test format. Fun parts included the desert encounter with "transcription error" man, the inadvertent acceptance by Chris of the jousting challenge, and the ending, which I, of course, won't reveal. The whole "scientific" explanation of the technology in this book was also pretty interesting, if a little far-fetched. The plot DOES have a lot of holes, which detracts from the overall read. Why so quickly dismiss the hospital staff and local sheriff? Where does Stern come up with the "blowout" idea? It just "came" to him, which was sort of lame. The whole underlying purpose for the technology is never fully explained, with the investors and everything -- is it a park or a luxury trip or what? Also, we never see the quantum computer or get a vivid description of the technology -- it's just assumed to be neato. This book is already a game, and I'm sure it's already a movie in production somewhere. It will be a fun movie -- unless it's as bad as Lost World. Then it will be a mediocre rental. For the time being, however, it's a good read if you need something to pass the time on an international flight or a rainy day.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!!
Review: If you were to hand me a book about the middle ages before reading this novel, I probably wouldn't have given any thought to actually reading it. Michael Crichton however has changed all that for me. His ability to bring the era to vivid life has peaked my curiosity in books both fiction and non-fiction about the era. When I first read the book I was looking forward to the scifi but about halfway through I was more interested in the ongoings in the Dorigone(sp?) valley. The scifi was a wonderful complement to a brilliant story. I'd give the book 4.5 stars if I could.
Rating:
Summary: A superb story with poor language choices
Review: There is little doubt that Crichton is an amazing story teller, and this book affirms that. Some customer reviews have pointed to some literary faults, but this book is nevertheless a great adventure story. You will have a hard time putting it down. And Crichton should be applauded for his research of quantum physics and 14th century European life. The main problem I have with this book is how much swearing is in it, including many instances of using God's name in vain. This greatly detracted from my enjoyment of the book, and is the reason for my giving it 3 stars instead of the 4 or 5 that it would otherwise deserve. I can handle a little swearing, after all many people unfortunately do it, and thus may add to the realism of the story. But when God's name is used in vain on almost every page, that is taking it beyond too far. If you are a Christian, I would suggest looking elsewhere for an exciting adventure novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Crichton lays another egg
Review: Having been an avid reader of Crichton ever since Andromeda Strain, always hoping for another of that quality, always forlorn, I must say that of his several literary failures this is Crichton's worst. The pseudo-time-travel framework works (or doesn't work) as a mere device to arrive at a 14th-century Perils of Pauline, with all sorts of ad hoc dangers strung together and avoided by ad hoc tricks in a linear plot (if you can call it that) that lacks tension. The main characters are stereotypical, neither likeable nor damnable, lacking color and credibility. The failure of the quantum-mechanics transport machinery and its Rube Goldberg repair become a flimsy sub-plot, hardly contributing to the story, and the ultimate fates of the entrepreneur and of the medievalist, if not inevitable, are less than satisfying. Doniger is not evil enough to make his end one you can really feel is well-deserved, nor is Marek's character sufficiently wrought to lend joy to his decision and its consequence. The "countdown" device utterly fails to lend dramatic tension. The problem was, halfway through the book I could no longer care whether the adventurers got back to the present or not: If they run out of time and get stuck in the hundred years' war, so what?
Rating:
Summary: Plot Perfect
Review: I wouldn't call myself a Michael Crichton addict. I loved both Jurassic Park and the Lost World but gave up on both A Case of Need and Airframe. Crichton has an ability to tell a thrilling fast-paced adventure but his novels can be hindered by poor characterization or annoying technospeak. Both dinosaur novels contain Crichton's faults, as does Timeline, however these books are driven by such a perfect, speedy adventure that it grips. The similarities between Jurassic Park and Timeline are plentiful. Crichton nearly always begins his book with an event seperate from the principal characters. It is the event that will trigger the entire plot. It is a useful device. Timeline begins with a husband and wife driving through the desolate American desert. They come across a babbling man. Where did he come from and how did he get into the middle of the desert without any transport? This sets up the novel's concept. A brilliant scientist has developed a sort of universe-hopping machine that enables time-travel. Crichton, as usual, uses scientific jargon that convinces the reader that such a far-out invention is possible. It's not. But who cares? Time-travel is a fantastic tool for an author, like Crichton, who possesses such an acute understanding of Medieval history. The novel picks up when the three principal characters, Marek, Chris and Kate are asked to go back in time to save their professor who is stuck back there. What follows is a thrilling adventure, helped by the 36 hour countdown headlining each chapter. Each precarious adventure is followed by another. Don't bring it on a two-week holiday because you'll be finished before one week is out. Guaranteed. I really liked Timeline but it won't stay in my head for very long. It's a popular novel, like an action movie, with limited characterization. The character's backstories usually consist of where they went to College. We don't know an awful lot about our adventurers. Chris is a wimpy, love-struck student who toughens up in the Middle Ages. Kate is a student who likes to climb. Of course, her climbing skills come in handy, however, there wasn't much more to Kate. The only character with any depth was Marek. Marek is less of a historian and more a lover of history. He adores the Medieval way of life and so, his trip to the 14th Century is a fantasy come true. He becomes our hero and Crichton, it seems loves the character as much as the reader does. He gives him a fitting farewell. An enjoyable Crichton book. One of his best.
Rating:
Summary: From bad to OK
Review: The first one hundred pages of this book are some of the most boring ever put on paper. But, if you can get through the muddle of Chricton trying to describe Quantum Theory in kid-like terms, then the book really picks up. The second half is classic Chricton.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline - I couldn't put it down!
Review: Being a science ficiton fan, I found Crichton's use of quatum theory and parallel universes extremely fascinating, and will do more research based on his scientific references. Although some characters in the book are predictable, Crichton alters characters through intricate use of medieval history and a focus on the unrelenting human drive to survive. All in all, a very engrossing novel which transported me from my 20th Century leather chair to medieval 14th Century France.
Rating: 
Summary: A Page Turner
Review: Crichton has outdone himself this time! His through research makes this action packed story come to life. I read it in 2 days straight, I couldn't put the book down! Everyone should read "Timeline". I have not read a book this intriguing and well written in a long time.
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