Rating: 
Summary: The Andromeda Strain
Review: Fellow asked me the other day, "What is the most suspenseful novel you've ever read." Without blinking or thinking, I said "The Andromeda Strain." I bought the book when it first came out, like what? 30 years ago. I opened the cover on Saturday morning, called my three golfing buds at 11:30, cancelled my golfing date (they haw-hawed when I said I couldn't put a book down), read through lunch, piled up on couch during the afternoon, grilled outside that evening --- all the while reading the book. Finished reading, served the burgers to my family and handed my wife the book, saying: "This is the only book I have never been able to put down!" And that, gentle readers, is a carved in stone fact. I'm neither a techno-philiac nor much more than remotely interested in science fiction. This book is not science fiction. This book doesn't miss a beat; it seems real. Like an eyewitness account of an extra-terrestrial virus wiping out mankind. And no way to fight it. The virus takes no prisoners and just when it is ready to launch itself out of its prison in the Nevada lab ......... Crichton hasn't written a book this good ....(I simply cannot use the hackneyed term "taut and riveting?").... since Andromeda. Some of his books have been downright goofy. Most have been okay. The success of 'Andromeda' is probably why he hung up his stethoscope and said goodbye to whines, aches, and pains of patients. (He admitted once that he had an abysmally bad 'bedside manner.') Anyhow, what is the most suspenseful book I have ever read? ..... Buy it. Don't haggle.
Rating: 
Summary: The Andromeda Strain
Review: I don't know. This book was okay, but I have read better. This book was overflowing with technical insights so if your into a more scientific book, get this. But when I read for pleasure I'd prefer not to read something which reminds me of school. It just didn't hold my attention like Timeline and Jurrasic Park did. It still had a good idea behind it, and it seemed like it could've happened. You should read it on a rainy day.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story, though highly technical
Review: This was the first book by Michael Crichton that I ever read. It was a good read and I finished it in a few days. But I have one small problem with it. This is the fact that Michael Crichton tries to fit a science textbook into this novel. For some parts, I had no idea what he was saying because it involved stuff only someone who has gone through medical school could understand. Aside from this, the story is great. A virus kills an entire town and it is up to these scientists to stop it. The last few pages especially are very suspensful. I would recommend that you read this book, if you don't have a problem reading highly technical things for a few chapters.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant piece of work
Review: Michael Crichton really knows how to subliminally teach science to people. It's really easy. Place all kinds of facts in a wonderful book, and Voila. This book covers many bases. It has a little sci-fi in it. A little top-secret, hush-hush stuff. Some mystery. A few parts of a thriller. All in a book that has become a must-read. If you are still reading this, and not out thier getting this book, you should be covered with the Andromeda Strain itself. Now go get this book!
Rating:
Summary: excellent book
Review: This was the first book that I read in one sitting. I was literally spellbound from the beginning. The story kept the same fast pace all the way through, no dull parts, good charactors, very real. Another "Hot Zone"
Rating:
Summary: The Andromeda Strain rocks!
Review: This book is one of the best books that i've ever read. it's interesting, creative, and intelligent. Michael Crichton is blessed with talented writing. If you read some of his books, be sure to include this one.
Rating:
Summary: The Andromeda Strain rocks!
Review: This book is one of the best books that i've ever read. it's intersting, creative, and intelligent. Michael Chrichton is blessed with talented writing. If you read some of his books, be sure to include this one.
Rating:
Summary: The Andromeda Strain
Review: The Andomeda Strain was one of the best books I have ever read. I learned more from it then any other book by far. Michael Crichton has a unique style in writing....He knows what he's talking about. It has a rich biological background and I find it hard to believe that it is classified as a novel because the story is true. Crichton did extensive research before writing the book. All in all I think you will not be able to put the Andromeda Strain down, I read it in 2 days.
Rating:
Summary: Great build-up that runs off the rails
Review: I read "The Andromeda Strain" about five years ago. The first 80-90% of the work was near perfect: absolutely brilliant writing, full of suspense, that I found almost literally hair-raising. Unfortunately, it appears that somewhere along the way, Crichton boxed himself into a corner, and couldn't find a plausible way out. The net result is one of the most illogical endings I have ever read; the final 20 or 30 pages feel like they have nothing to do with what has gone before. [The problems begin when they find out exactly what the Andromeda Strain is--or, perhaps, more properly, what it *isn't*.] While it is by no means a bad book, I was still much disappointed by the ending.
Rating:
Summary: Still works after all these years.
Review: I'm not sure of the original publication date -- late 60's, I think? But after 30 years the story is still almost cutting edge. Crichton's first (or one of the first, anyway) was his best. I suspect more than one reader has been taken in over the years by the pseudo-documentary narrative. If so it's almost understandable; the story seems entirely plausible. (For that matter, who's to say there's not a Wildfire-type facility, or that there wasn't an incident like this at some time? Not suggesting any government coverups -- just saying that the reason the book works so well is that you know it could happen).
|
