Rating: 
Summary: Ok, but...
Review: a problem is the absence of common sense. There is a happy ending because the virus or whatever it was, mutated into something benign. But as my father pointed out a long time ago, so what if one of many many individuals of a certain species of virus mutates into something nicer? It does nothing to lessen the virulence of the vast majority of that species. If the original virulent strain burned itself out by killing all its hosts and then was successfully quarantined, that would make a sensible almost happy ending.
If you want good "hard" science fiction with a human element, try early Heinlein instead.(pre 1963)
Rating:
Summary: Classic Hold Up Fairly Well
Review: A satellite that orbits the Earth to collect particles and organisms for study goes off course and crashes near a small town in Arizona. The satellite recovery team discovers streets full of bodies and their base loses contact with them. The Wildfire team of scientists is activated to study and hopefully stop the spread of this disaster. They recover the satellite and two surprising survivors from the town and head to the secure, sterile laboratory located beneath the Nevada desert. Will they find the organism that killed the town of Piedmont? Can they recover from their mistakes and a lack of information? How did the two very different survivors (a baby and a sick, old man) stay alive? Will the Wildfire team prevent a final catastrophe as their sterile environment is compromised? The scientists are racing against the clock to find the answers. The Andromeda Strain is Michael Crichton's first novel. Written in 1969, the technology is a little dated -- what was cutting-edge is now fairly commonplace. However, the plot is still relevant in this age of biological and chemical weapons. It was fresh and exciting when it was first released, but it may feel a bit clichéd now, if only because many authors have followed in Crichton's successful, groundbreaking footsteps. The urgency of the scientists is plain and the twists of action that occur outside the laboratory should add to the tension, but the documentary-style narrative leads to a somewhat dry and distant feel to the book. Heavy in scientific details, the science is clearly the star of the show - overshadowing the characters.
Rating: 
Summary: The Andromeda Strain
Review: Crichton's 'The Andromeda Strain' was a pretty good read. I didn't have much trouble getting to reading many pages at a time. Sometimes I did have to use my mind some to figure out the scientific theories and such, but once I got past all that intellect, the story was pleasing. It is a sci-fi, mystery book in that the entire novel was based on figuring out what wiped out an entire city's population, and how to stop that thing from killing more cities' populations.
The last 50 or so pages I did not find any trouble in reading, putting it down was where I found the trouble. So many things started happening at once right at the very end that I was totally spellbound. I didn't, however, like the way Crichton ended the novel. It was a little too basic. Everything leading up to it could have gone for so much more. Crichton seemed to be doing so well, and then just ran out of time and needed to end it quickly and chose the way he did. But, aside from the quick, base ending, I really enjoyed and would recommend 'The Andromeda Strain' as an easy read.
Rating: 
Summary: An Amazing Piece of Crichton
Review: I just finished reading The Andromeda Strain for the third time, and I still found myself on the edge of my seat. Crichton created a truly gripping, engaging novel his first time out, and this book deserves to be revisited every few years. Crichton's background in medical science and filmmaking makes him an author to be reckoned with. Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors, and this book proves his mettle.
I'm sure you can read a description of the plot in any number of places on this page, but what I especially wanted to mention is the way Crichton piles coincidence on coincidence to show how quickly something can go wrong. As he says in the acknowledgements section, "As in most crises, the events surrounding the Andromeda Strain were a compound of foresight and foolishness, innocence and ignorance." Perhaps most impressive is how subtle some of the setups are, so that the reader never feels like something comes out and hits them in the face. What I mean is that the story is frighteningly plausible. Should you read this? Absolutely. It's the best couple of hours you'll ever spend with a science fiction novel.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I just finished the Andromeda Strain this morning and was very impressed. Not just with a good story, but with how a thirty year old book that has a strong scientific theme does not read as outdated. The use of fiber optics, electron microscopes, and clean rooms are just a few examples of his ability to predict what is commonly used in modern times . I've noticed each of Chrichton's books have a theme. With Jurassic Park, it was DNA and the Chaos Theory. In Congo it was Lasers, and in each book, he gives you a breif lesson in them to continue the story. In The Andromeda Strain, the lesson is molecular biology and since it is one of his first, the story suffers for it. Especially toward the end. If your looking for a fast paced thriller, your not going to get it. But as a thinking mans thriller it is outstanding. I wish my biology teacher in high school was more like Chrichton, because he makes it interesting and easy to follow. But again toward the end, it is trying, which is why I'm giving four out or five stars. A great book for Chichton fans. If your just now getting into him, I would suggest Jurrasic Park first.
Rating:
Summary: A good book for all to enjoy!
Review: I just recently finished one of the best books I've ever read. Andromeda Strain was exciting and very action packed through out. One of the main reasons I really liked it was because it started out with a very fast paced and excitng plot. It didn't get caught up in describing the sunset and scenery etc., it just cut to the chase. This book is about five scientists who are trying to get to bottom of a possible biological plague. The strain entered the atmosphere on an unmanned satallite, and that's all they know about it! This book is written very well, and in a style I really enjoy. Michael Crichton writes from the perspective that the whole story is true, and it really happened. He uncovers the top secret dealings of the government and reveals them to the public. All in all this is a great book for any one remotely interested in science fiction, or even if you're not!
Rating: 
Summary: Good build up but disappointing ending
Review: I loved the way the book starts off and right away you are in the thick of the plot. I espically like the way Mr. Crichton sticks to the main story but as I start see how few pages are left to read, I begin to wonder how he wraps up the story in so short a time. Now I am on the last chapter and it seems that when Mr. Crichton was writing the novel, he just decided he had had enough and just banged out a few pages to abruptly end it.
The abrupt and shallow ending spoilt what could otherwise have been a classic. Maybe someday Mr. Crichton could go back, delete the existing last chapter and actually finish the book.
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Summary: Threats from space might not be just little green men
Review: In Crichton's first novel, he explores the possiblity that first contact might not be with an intelligent lifeform, but a single-celled organism that is more like a virus than anything else. A satellite crash lands is a remote down in Arizona. A virus from the satellite seems to have decimated the local populace and scientists must find a way to contain and destroy the virus. Written in 1967, the novel still manages to be just as scary today as when it was first published. Those looking for something more action oriented, like Jurassic Park or Congo, might be a little disappointed. But the suspense and thrills are abound in this book. I've read it several times and have found it just as exciting each time. Crichton's background in the medical field serves him well in his first novel, with top notch scientific know-how to match the suspensefull plot. Simply a must read.
Rating:
Summary: The Andromeda Strain
Review: The Andromeda Strain is not written on the same level as Michael Crichton's best books, like Jurassic Park and Prey, The Andromeda Strain is only mediocre. The novel is about a government organization that sends satellites into space to collect space pathogens. When one of the satellites crashes and wipes out an entire town the Wildfire team is called upon. The novel opens up in a way that attracts the attention of the reader, and makes the reader want to read more and more. Throughout the novel Michael Crichton keeps the reader interested with a great plot and building up the climax. Though Michael Crichton does not follow the climax with
a ending that finishes off a great book. Without a well written ending this novel, The Andromeda Strain, is only mediocre. This is not one of Michael Crichton's best novels.
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Summary: A familiar concept presented with frightening credibility
Review: The little desert town of Piedmont lies dead. Or almost so, with just two of its residents still alive: an elderly man and an infant. The apparent cause? A crashed space probe. When two Air Force men sent to investigate die, also - so fast that they never get out of their vehicle - a group of five top scientists assemble at a secret facility called Wildfire. If they can't figure out what "Project Scoop" brought back before the infection starts to spread, humankind could be decimated.
This is a familiar science fiction concept, the "alien germ" against which humans have no defenses. What makes this novel's use of it compelling (even when somewhat dated, 35 years after first publication) is the author's sure grasp of the science involved. While the detail presented is overwhelming at times, and the characters wooden, the story still has frightening credibility.
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