Eaters of the Dead : With an introduction and running commentary read by Michael Crichton

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Summary: Intriguing non-fictionish Crichton
Review: I used to be one of the biggest die-hard Crichton fans (its kinda hard to keep being die-hard when no new books come out after you've read and re-read all his other books), and I thought this was a good book. If you don't like to read non-fiction, you probably won't like this book as much, because it is written like a non-fiction book. I love the ending.

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Summary: Crichton weaves history of Norse and Arabic sources
Review: Crichton has tapped an artery. Probably accidentally. His protagonist, Fadlan, is a documented and verified chronicler of 10th century Arabic society whose writings are sought and taught by historians the world over. His character, Buliwyf, can be found in legends of the Gotar and the Danes. His archaeology, anthropology and referencing are immaculate. If you found the book tedious or burdensome to get through, try going back to the original sources; you'll learn the meaning of the word "burdensome." Overall, Crichton's work tends to favor technical jargon and limps along with regard to literary merit. This book is a singularity.

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Summary: Historically Fascinating
Review: Crichton has done a wonderful job of retelling the story of Ahmad Ibn Fadlan's adventures in 922 AD. A fantastic book for any Crichton Fan.

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Summary: A great book for anyone interested in vikings
Review: I must say that this book surprised me. I myself have studied the viking age and when I red this book it all just fit right into my view of the viking mentality. For all those who do not know the book is not just fiction. Ibn Fadlan did write about his meeting with the norsemen. The story is very close to the Beowulf saga, but remember then that it is a norse saga which took place in scandinavia and not an english one.

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Summary: An excellent early work fusing fact and fiction
Review: Michael Crichton has taken a real 10th century manuscript depicting Ibn Fadlan's journeys into the northern country of the Rus, and worked it into a rousing adventure story. His text follows the original so closely at times that it doesn't read as smoothly as a modern novel, and has therefore been misunderstood by a number of readers. Nonetheless, those interested in an anthropologically-oriented volume showing the culture clash between Arab and Norse, with a great deal of adventure and bloody battles thrown in, will enjoy the book. It becomes clear during reading that the story familiar to Europeans and Americans in Beowulf is present here. Despite some claims, this does NOT appear to have been inserted by Crichton - professional historians had already noted this connection in the original Ibn Fadlan manuscript and written on it in professional journals. Another example of supposedly European literature originating in earlier Arab manuscripts.

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Summary: Thriller, trama and culture: all in one
Review: One of Crichton best books. No science fiction or legal stuff but the opportunity to see the world with the eyes of a traveller of the first millenium. A pity it is so short

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Summary: Not Crichton's best, but a very exciting story
Review: While not Michael Crichton's best novel, Eaters of the Dead is still an interesting and exciting novel. The way in which Crichton writes this novel is so realistic, you might actually believe that you are reading an authentic tenth century manuscript. The character development is good, and some of the settings are fantastic. There are several action scenes which are both thrilling and bloody, and a few humorous Arabic stories and jokes. Overall, Eaters of the Dead is a very good novel, and I reccomend it for any loyal Michael Crichton fan

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Summary: Misty Musings For a Stormy Weekend
Review: What do you name figures who glide through the mists? Do they perhaps steal your warriors from their graves? Between those peoples who are fading into history and those who are the future, suspicions creep like the chilling sea fogs of the Norse lands. It is the 10th century AD, and Homo Sapiens is rising... but our older cousins have not yet disappeared from the Earth. Do they really exist, or are they only myths? As an unintentional "guest" of the Vikings, what do you observe of these "shadow creatures"? Eaters of the Dead presents an Arabian's narrative of his capture by Norse seamen and his speculations concerning the furtive figures of the mists. This is a short, but haunting tale best savored during a stormy weekend. Kay O'Cullane.

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Summary: One of the great unknowns
Review: Eaters of the Dead is one of Crichtons greatest,and least known, work. Written like a travelers diary, this novel tells the story of Ahmad Ibn Fadlan and his adventures with a group of "uncivilized" Vikings. This book is one of my favorite Crichton books, it's one of those books that leave you wanting more. You really become attached to the characters in the book, even the sometimes crude Vikings. If there are any new Crichton fans who haven't had the opportunity to read this great work(or simply didn't know this book existed),I would highly recommend picking up this book and going on an adventure of a lifetime!

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Summary: A wonderful story of battle and survival...
Review: I would have to say that my only regrets about this book would be how short it is. This book is a must for anyone who's interested in anthropology and battles. An Arabian man is forced to go on a great adventure with a group of Norsemen who he finds vulgar and primitive. But as the book moves on he begins to see that the vikings are not so different himself, as you may also see. This novel is based on real facts which makes it all the better, for the 'Eaters of the Dead' seem to horrible to be real, and the customs of these men is amazing. There are some parts no doubt that Crichton put in himself, but this book is the perfect blend of fiction and fact