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Timeline- Unabridged

Timeline- Unabridged

List Price: $39.95
Your Price: $26.37
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This was one of the most outstanding books I have read this year. I went to see the movie after reading this book and found that the movie did not do the book justice. The book kept you wondering what was next and wouldnt let you put it down.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A MUST-READ book - Don't judge it by the movie!
Review: I've never read a Michael Crichton book before, but am an avid ER fan (the TV show he writes for) and heard some good personal reviews of his books by a friend of mine, so I searched at the library for one of his books to try. This book was a fantastic first pick!!! I have interests in scifi, knights and castles, adventure and romance. This book does a tremendous job of combining it all and is incredibly difficult to put down. It involves a description of quantum physics which I have never seriously contemplated, however it got me curious enough to do some of my own investigation of the topic - just enough to understand a little more. Even if you don't understand this science, it's not critical to enjoying and following the plot. I read the book this fall and was unaware that the movie was coming out until I saw the previews on TV. I got so excited and couldn't wait to go see it. Unfortunately, they did a poor job. The first couple of minutes zipped by so fast that it was hard to pick up what was going on at first. I was trying to figure out what part of the movie was which part in the book. I eventually gave that up and just watched it as a different story. Then I enjoyed a little more. So much of the story was cut out and other parts changed. One good thing I can say about the movie - I think they did a good job of picking the actors. Most of them looked as I imagined them. All I can say is you've got to read the book. It is so much better!!!! I love to read and have only read maybe two books twice in my lifetime (I'm 39 years old). Because there are so many books I want to read I don't feel there is time to read something twice. Having said that - TIMELINE is one of those exceptional books that I will read again!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The book is so much better than that horrible film
Review: I read the book in September when after I saw a "Timeline" preview. I really liked the book and was looking forward to the movie, but the movie was out and out atrocious. Read the book, don't see the movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Timeline: A Timeless Classic
Review: Michael Crichton has yet again created another compelling novel where the line between fiction and reality becomes barely visible, and where science and modern-day technology play the main role in convincing his audience. His fascinating storyline and clever writing techniques captivate the reader until the very last page. Those who enjoyed Jurassic Park, Sphere, Congo, Airframe, - will love Timeline.

What makes his story of 'going back in time' so believable is how Crichton uses 21st century science, real historical facts, and references over 2 pages of creditable books on the subject of quantum physics. During the first half of the book, the reader is more or less trying to grasp the concept of quanta, its theory, and how the heck these "multiverses" exist. However, Crichton explains this technology using simple language and a few small diagrams throughout. Slowly the reader begins to understand, or even believe what they have read, and now Crichton has their attention and the adventure begins.

Of course this story would not be complete without a disaster that throws our character's lives into a danger other than trying to survive in the past, and leaves the audience thinking "Oh no! Now what?" Like Jurassic Park's power failure that releases the blood-thirsty dinosaurs, here the lab explodes when one of the men - with arrows embedded in his body - propels himself back home unexpectedly only to drop the grenade that he intended to launch at the knight onto the lab floor as he dies.
The rest of the story is played out back in 1357 A.D. as they rescue the professor, and attempt to save themselves before the battle between the French and the English is fought.

What makes this novel so fantastic is the amazing storyline, the realistic science, the historical evidences, the drama, the adventure, the chases, the close calls, the fight scenes, and of course the romance and well written dialog that provides suspense, hate, and even humor throughout. The manuscript has everything including a few mysteries and surprises that unwind as the reader goes. Crichton displays his brilliance and talent for story telling in this best seller, and invites the reader to become a part of the journey. I have yet to find any distracting flaws or annoying patterns that would subtract from the reader's experience. Timeline is wonderful entertainment sure to leave the audience breathless and at the edge on more than a few occasions. My only advice is that should fans of the book pay to see the Paramount's version, they might be disappointed. Like most movies spun off of a great book, there are several different changes that they will encounter leaving them to debate if the director did in deed do a lousy job of retelling a great story. If you want fascinating detail and more than 6 hours back in the 1300s, read the book. The movie is a poor remake of one of Crichton's best works. If you do go see the movie, just prepare yourself for a pathetic first 20 minutes that gives the audience no foundational understanding of the science, let alone the real plot, a story where quantum physics is never once mentioned, a completely different account from the book, and a 500-page novel poorly crammed into a 2-hour interval. The movie was okay, but the book is awesome! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Perfect for Vacation Reading...
Review: I read Timeline on the beautiful, sunny shores of a Key West beach..a perfect time for a strained story about time travel. The premise of the book is just fine; fanatical genius discovers a way to "fax" three dimensional objects (people) back in time..Ivy league professor and group of brilliant grad students are on an archaeological dig in France...After the professor leaves to visit the corporate headquarters, the students make an eerie discovery. Unbelievably, they find a document with the professor's handwriting (of course they have a handwriting specialist in the group to verify this) and a bifocal lens of the professor's at the dig sight. Soon they discover their evil corporate sponsor hasn't been truthful and the professor has actually been sent back in time to 1357 and of course the students must save him. Now the fun begins! This is where the book comes alive. Crichton has done a wonderful job reconstructing medieval time with a whole cast of rich characters. His research makes the book more plausible even though with some logic there are gaping holes in the plot. At any rate, the characters are predictable but the action is interesting and the story as a whole entertaining. It's a Hollywood movie in the making with lots of action, bad guys, good guys, princesses and even some romance. Not a bad beach read.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good "fluff"
Review: You won't find any deep, thought-provoking meanings in this story, but it is what it is: light fluff to read while you're on vacation. This is the first book I've read by Michael Crichton, and I was surprised by his writing style. I assumed this would be more like a Tom Clancy style book, with really intricate detail. But, instead, this was very light, enjoyable reading (not that I dislike Clancy, but I have to be in the right mood for his stories).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My favorite novel of all time
Review: Michale Crichton rules, best writer ever. I love to read but Crichton is the only author that I follow and read all the books of. he rules, my ONLY inspiration for wanting to become a writer. this is the best book ever, it rules.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Medieval History - Fast Paced Story!
Review: Typical of Michael Crichton books, I could not put this book down once I started it! I love medieval history and sword fighting, so naturally I was drawn toward this book. What made is great for me is that I helped teach archeology labs in college and am a social scientist/researcher. I wasn't looking for detail on how the team excavated the site, but it was nice to see they didn't go too far off of they way it should be done. The story is about as bloody as medieval times really were, but it's not so bloody that it would turn anyone off. Just expect a realistic historical story.

The best part of this book is the ending! It's great and very unexpected. I can't wait to see how they turn this into a movie. I hope they don't butcher it too much, although I can already see just from the trailers that they have added a bit, no doubt for dramatic purposes.

Lastly, I do agree that there are a few holes in the story, but I didn't let myself get too bogged down with them. I agree with one of the other reviewers about Crichton never resolving the paradox issue or the multiuniverse/past issue, but they don't really need to be resolved for the story to work.

If you are interested in medieval times or a good fast-paced story this is the novel for you. The only question is, should you read it before you see the movie or after?

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Engaging and Fun
Review: I've been quite disappointed with the reviews I've read about this book. I found it to be a very enjoyable read, and have recommended it to friends. It is fast-paced and interesting throughout.

The complaint I keep seeing is about Crichton's explanation of the "science" behind the "time-travel". Is it far-fetched? Yes. But those that haven't enjoyed this explanation certainly never understood what he was describing. It is not a simple concept even when it is presented simply (i.e. "Back to the Future"). Timeline's explanation is more complex and really does take some time to sink in, but it does make sense. The pervasive fear of the unknown in the 14th century is further enhanced by this unfamiliar science.

Great sci-fi, and you'll leave with a new appreciation of the past.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Screenplay in novel format
Review: This is Crichton's application of the Jurassic Park formula in the field of quantum physics and time travel, instead of dinosaur creation. A corporation discovers a stunning new technology, a group of characters gets trapped in the universe opened by technology (where they are both strangers and prey), and adventure ensues as they try to escape. For those who enjoy this sort of thing (high on tension, pace and detail--in this case more historical than scientific--and low on characterization and 'literary'/remarkable prose), this is one to enjoy. For others, it's a library loan at best.

In a nutshell, the story concerns three graduate students who have been assisting their professor and mentor with an excavation in France. The group comes to believe that, somehow, the corporation has more information about the dig site than they do. The professor returns to the U.S. to meet with the Machiavellian CEO, and the students don't hear from him again ... until they uncover a 600-year-old parchment with the words "HELP ME." The pace then kicks into overdrive as the students learn their mentor has been transported into 14th century France and that they must travel back to rescue him. How many of them will return home, if any? Keep turning pages to find out.

Some criticisms now, and spoilers:

* The overall premise is horribly flawed. It's explained that the technology is not really time travel at all, but transportation into another of endless, alternate universes (since quantum theory posits a 'multiverse'). Fine, but if the professor is sent into the past of _another_ universe, then how can his handwritten message reach the students in _this_ one? (And the whole application of the technology, it's explained, is to enable an 'authentic' recreation of the past; but how can it be 'authentic' if its the past of another world?)
* There is far too much action once the students arrive in the alternate past. As soon as they arrive, they're attacked ... apparently so that they can be separated and problems can develop. Then it's like all the author's research about jousting, swordplay, siege, etc. (which does look very thorough) had to be crammed into their 37-hour stay. (They can only stay 37 hours; the chapter-headings are in countdown format.) For example, it seems that the female student, an architecture specialist, has to be chased into ceilings and rooftops so that the author and she can demonstrate their knowledge of medieval roof construction. (Again, this assumes the roofs of this alternate world were identical to our own.)
* The takedown of the 'heartless CEO' is simply over the top and cruel. Instead of calling the cops or having the board vote him out, the 'good' executive transports him back to a village decimated by the Black Plague--in essence, murders him. I think we're supposed to feel a sense of poetic justice. Unfortunately, my sense was more of disgust.

If you're a fan of Crichton or time travel books, you'll probably enjoy this one and can knock it out in a weekend or long plane ride. If not, you may want to see if the upcoming movie draws good reviews and go with that instead (or not), as the novel, with its pace and constant action, looks like it's always been a screenplay waiting to happen. Three stars.


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