Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book; lousy movie
Review: "Jurassic Park" is a really good read and I think it's the best of Mr. Crichton's books that I've read (which would be "Congo," "Sphere," "Andromeda Strain" and "The Terminal Man"). Do yourself a favor and read "Jurassic Park" and avoid the movie. The movie emasculates the interesting ideas found in the novel. One of the novel's themes concerns the use of power or knowledge by those who haven't earned the right to use it. While this concept (and others) are interwoven in the conversations of the characters across several pages, the movie treats this idea with a throwaway line because there isn't enough time for talking and seeing the next hapless victim being chewed by a dino.
Rating:
Summary: Still The Best
Review: I believe this novel has one of the most intelligent premises ever. The simple idea of it is so outstanding. I loved this book and just finished reading it for the 4th time. The idea of it still just amazes me. Crichton is one hell of a genius...
Rating:
Summary: review
Review: This book has to be the best I have ever read! Michael Chrichton is a genius when it comes to science fiction. This book filled my excitement, adventure and great characters. Every character is different but alike in some way. The beautiful volcanic island setting brings out the characters innerself. When the dinosaurs escape they have to get them back on the cages. You should read the book to find out what happens!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Books ever!
Review: I love a good sci-fi and this is the one. I've seen the movie of course, then read the book. The book is so much better. They could of made a totally different movie with this novel.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: When I started this book, I could not put it down! It moved at a break-neck pace, and it so enthralled me, I could have finished it in a single sitting(except for the fact my body couldn't keep up with my mind, and I had to sleep.) This is an incredible piece of literature.
Rating:
Summary: Charismatic Crichton
Review: Jurassic Park is a fantastic science fiction book that goes well beyond the dinosaur-eats-man simpleness of its movie counterpart. Far from even mentioning dinosaurs in the first chapters, it also delves deep into the unseen orders and designs of twisting Mother Nature's original plans. The dinosaurs in this book are not dull-witted, slow, or even an obnoxious shade of purple. They all are learning, living creatures that are starting to show humankind that you can take dinosaurs out of the past but not the past out of the dinosaur. Simply stunning, and painstakingly accurate to boot.
Rating: 
Summary: Dinosaurs everywhere
Review: After working in a museum all summer long that features a dinosaur exhibit, dinosaur IMAX film and dinosaur planetarium show, I thought I would go with the dinosaur trend and read Jurassic Park, hoping to learn even more about dinosaurs. Michael Crichton really did his homework for this book. He contests a belief that dinosaurs are slow sluggish animals, and portrays most of the dinosaurs as quick preditors and makes the raptors able to 'learn', which makes the book exciting. Chrichton also picks up on something that is in all of our exhibits at the museum -- that dinosaurs may be most similiar to birds. Even though it's been several years since I watched the movie, I couldn't keep comparing the book to the movie as I read it. The other reviewers are right! The movie parallels the book, but then there are a lot of plot changes as well, so that's a good reason to pick up the book if you are familiar to the movie. The characters are even different in the movie -- in fact some of the supporting caracters in the book (the genetisist named Henry Wu, and a Public Relations character named Ed Regis) are barely in the movie, although they have distinct personalities and roles in the book. You might be suprised at the personality differences of John Hammond (ambitious jerk), Allen Grant (kid loving) and Ian Malcolm (bachelor who is not trying to pick up Ellie Sattler) as well. I did watch the movie again after reading the book and I couldn't believe how loving Hammond appeared in the movie, but then realized that to sell the movie Hammond couldn't be as self-centered as he was in the book. A few other reviewers complained a lot about too much science, and this book it isn't as bad as it's sequel. Most of this is Malcolm's unending disbelief in scientists and the scientific process. Some of the points he makes are good, but he does tend to repeat himself, and the words 'chaos theory' will be in your head long after the book is over because of how much it's mentioned in the book. It's a good read, a pretty even balance of science, character personality & (everyone's favorite) action. You learn a lot about Michael Chrichton's view of dinosaurs, and if you use your imagination well, can actually visualise these dinosaurs running loose on Isla Neblar. Don't expect it to be exactly the same as the movie, but read it for the few parallels and unique differences. Enjoy the book!
Rating:
Summary: basically a bestseller. what more can i say?
Review: It's a nice popcorn sci-fi book. One of those books I read all the way through at once at the expense of other things i needed to do. alot of carnage like the movie. with more dinosaurs. better than lost world novel, in my opinion. interesting characters.
Rating:
Summary: If you liked the movie, you'll LOVE the book
Review: Though the movie was great, the book puts the film to shame. I could not put it down. It contains twice as much material as the Jurassic Park movie. Many of the best parts were NOT in the film (such as when the doctor and the children were on a river raft being chased by the T. Rex that was swimming after them or when they went to the aviry and were attacked by pterodactyls.) Don't buy the VCR tape or DVD, buy the book!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Liked it, but didn't love it.
Review: Full of Facts and hard action. Too much action. I received just as much satisfaction from watching the movie.
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