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

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Summary: Eaters of the Dead
Review: I don't know about anyone else but this was one of the best books I have ever read. I had seen the movie before I read the book and their both great, but I'm going to have to go with the movie on this one. Those battle scenes in the movie were unbelievable. My favorite part of the book and movie were when the warriors went into the Wendol's cave and slaughtered their mother and then ran for their lives as the beasts swarmed in on them. Before I read this book I wasn't a big reader of Micheal Crichton, but after reading this book I don't see how you couldn't be one. This book was the best thing since "The Hobbit". Well I hope everyone enjoyed my review. Bye!

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Summary: Gripping
Review: After reading the book, I am not sure I want to see the movie. It was so vivid it almost made me vomit. I learned that the Klingons of Star Trek are sissies comparied to Vikings. But the book convinced me that the account was true, so I feel it is a "must read".

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Summary: Entertaining Adaptation of Beowulf
Review: Even after hearing Michael Crichton's commentary on the abridged audio version of this book, I was left wondering just how much is true and how much is embellishment. Apparently, the narrator, Ibn Fadlan, was real enough and did travel to the Northlands around the time period when this novel is set, but Crichton wrote the novel on a bet that he could make an entertaining story out of Beowulf. Personally, I thought Beowulf to be pretty entertaining on its own (even in 11th grade, when I read it), but this adaptation is also a good read. The movie later made from the novel, "The 13th Warrior" with Antonio Banderas as Ibn Fadlan is remarkably true to the story, then again, maybe not so remarkably when you note that Michael Crichton was a producer. At any rate, a good novel that can be enjoyed by almost anyone!

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Summary: The past can be just as exciting as the future
Review: Michael Crichton wrote a winner with this one and the screen adaptation, which I own on VHS, was very good and overlooked. --Along the lines of Braveheart; great view of european and scandinavian "culture" about 1000 AD, as seen through the eyes of an Arab who wrote of his travels. It is based on a true story from his account of adventures with the Vikings. The story is much enjoyed in both forms by those I suggest it to. Now I have added to my formats, the DVD version. A great addition.

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Summary: Pretty Good Chirchton
Review: For as good as Chirchton's early works are they just don't seem to quite measure up to his later works such as Jurrasic Park and Timeline. Eater's of the Dead is no exception to this rule. It starts out rather slow for a Chrichton novel but quickly picks up as the action begins. For the most part this is a good book. To me it was probably the weakest of Chrichton's novels and as mentioned before is no where near as good as his later stuff. However, this doesn't mean this novel isn't a worthwhile read for Chirchton fans or those new to his writing. It's very different then most of hiw works which may turn some fans off but if that can be accepted then this book is well worth the time invested.

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Summary: One of his best...
Review: He took a real person, an Arab courtier, and the courtier's text to make a better version of the epic poem Beowulf. Slowly Crichton exposes us to 10th Century Vikings and their ways via the poor Arab courtier who ends up going to fight the monsters in the mist. To add even more mystery and spice, Crichton gives use clear clues on WHO the monsters are. A mixture of history, myth, and plain GOOD writing.
Enjoy it!

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Summary: Nothing historical about it
Review: The fact that many seem to be continuing the myth that the novel has any historical basis is laughable. The manuscripts he supposedly references are all part of his elaborate hoax, and a well known one at that. This book has been out for what, over 20 years? And its still being advertised as some renowned historical work by Crichton? Simply amazing.

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Summary: good history and fictionalization of viking lore
Review: This was an excellent book it was a good history and fictionalization of viking lore.

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Summary: The historical side of Crichton's Eaters of the Dead!
Review: What makes Cricton's Eaters of the Dead fascinating is that knowing the cultures of the different characters in the book are quite historically accurate, the Vikings customs for death and burial, their "live for death" attitude, and their individual characteristics. I enjoy how diverse Fadlan's background and civilization differs so much from the Vikings, yet throughout the book they seem to find more common ground with each other.

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Summary: It makes the Viking cooler than they already are
Review: The author of "An excellent and modern retelling of the Beowulf saga" wrote exactly what I would have written. The book does give great action, adventure and suspense. Critchton goes into great detail about the scenes of how the eaters of the dead mutilated and mauled their victims, which were Viking women children and men, the creators did not care who or what they ate. The writers of the last two reviews did not specify this, nor tell about the creators. Without them the story would just be a bunch of cool Vikings walking around killing things. This book does give good historical background and lots of cultural information. Both critiques acknowledged this fact. This critique was really hard to write do to the fact that all the writers thought this book was the coolest thing Since Jimmy Hendrix, and I agree