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Summary: It's different!
Review: This is one book that has really left an impression on me. I find it a rather philosophical book. Especially the later chapters on psychic adventures. I will also tell you that I was so convinced about seeing auras that I tried to see my own halo. But I failed, as you might well have guessed. But then, I have decided to seriously try meditation. I am sure it will be a good experience for me to attend a camp like Michael did. Vipassana is one place I am seriously considering. Everyone MUST read this.
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Summary: A book that changed me.
Review: I admit I did not buy this book. I found it in the lost-and-found bin at work; thumbed through some passages during lunch breaks; waited 30 days until no one claimed it, and took it. Only when I read it through did I realize this is one of the most important books I own. I am not well-traveled, but enjoy Crichton's fictional work, from "Andromeda Strain" to "Jurassic Park." He is obviously intelligent, imaginative, and writes well. His adventures abroad are fascinating. But what changed my life and the lives of several people I know are the recountings of inner experiences: the things no rational person acknowledges day-to-day. In this book, Michael Crichton- a medical student- admits to finding Ram Dass's New Age viewpoint puzzling and strange at first. In subsequent chapters, he quits his promising medical career to pursue writing. From there his exploits become stuff of fantasy; shooting a film with Sean Connery, traveling to countries he had previously never heard of, becoming rationally convinced that auras are real and can be seen. This is a book I read that transformed me from a skeptic to an open-minded pragmatist. That may seem like schlock at first, but think about it. Do you have the opportunity and means to travel to Thailand, or Hunza? Have you consulted intuitive psychics from around the world, or sliced open a cadaver? Buy this book. It may inspire you to explore inner realities like me, or reassure your agnostic point of view. In any case, you will read wondrous descriptions of Crichton's personal journeys. You will be compelled.
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Summary: Eye opening
Review: This book changed my life. The "science is not absolute" argument has been around for a long time, but Crichton adds force this with Travels. The reader begins to see that there are other spheres of knowledge that we simply are not familiar with. The most profound running line in this book is the necessity to detach ourselves from our material belongings. Well worth the read, it will make make you hunger to travel to these distant lands Crichton writes about.
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Summary: Unexpected and worth reading
Review: The book is a series of episodes from Crichton's life. The various short episodes include, experiences as an medical student, visiting psychics in England, travelling in remote villages in Asia, climbing Mount Kilminajaro, working with Sean Connery on THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, and new age explorations. But the episodes all tie together to make a point. The most surprising thing in the book is that Crichton makes a very strong case for "psychic phenomena". From his work and education, I'd always assumed he would be a hard-science materialist, but he is not. He makes an interesting case for his viewpoint, and I'm sure he's sincere (he has little to gain from making such claims). But I can't say he convinced me. Even so, I've reread the book once, and will probably do so again. Very interesting and well-written.
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Summary: enjoyable and insightful
Review: I enjoyed almost all of the episodes, both foreign and inner trips. Travels, this could be called adventures. It is much more interesting than usual guide book articles. With this book, readers too travel carrying his unique and honest sense. "Cactus teachings" was somehow exhilarating and remarkable one - splendid.
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Summary: Michael Crichton's best work is the story of his own life!
Review: Absolutely amazing. This man has lived a complex and astounding life filled with fantastic (as the title says) Travels across the globe and through the human spirit. How can one man live so much? After reading this book, you will have a deep insight into the mind of the author as well as a REAL grasp of what has happened for most of his professional advice. Crichton starts off in medical school, sawing a cadaver in half. (Yes, grusome, but even more so because its an old woman!) After graduating, he has wonderful adventures and near-death experiences in places like the deep see and his very own mind. He also tells about his discovery of his past life! Telling you what that life is would be a crime, but I can tell you that you get inside his relationships with his wives and his friends. Do not pick up this book expecting him to gush over his books, however, as he barely mentions them. Do pick up this book to be shocked at the eerie revilation as to why his books always seem hauntingly prophetic. This book makes you keep wanting to turn the pages on and on and on and on! A definite MUST-READ for Crichton's fans!
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Summary: The wonders of Travels
Review: Thirty-seven stories of one writers accounts. Be it somewhere without or somewhere within, this book is the best auto-biographical adventure I have ever read. Crichton narrates his stories with comical candor and psychological accuity. He blends the exotic and phenomenal into a perfect creation until it transcends the wonderous and becomes human. Not a single story is without it's own life lesson for the author. His ability to relate each episode to the reader and make the reader understand the lesson's he learned is unmistakable. His interactions with women, (there are a quite a few) animals and spirits are humorously expelled as he entwines the audience with his wit and candor. Crichton's massive accomplishments are towered only by his impressive feats of earth and soul. All in all this book will be one your favorites, for every reason I can think of.
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Summary: Compelling Evolution
Review: This book is engrossing because Crichton seems to make a 180 degree turn in the way he sees the world throughout the course of the narrative. His personal evolution involves many interesting, sometimes bizarre adventures that made me look at the practice of medicine and new age philosophies in a very different light.
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Summary: Fascinating Journey
Review: If you've read any of Michael Crichton's SF books like Jurassic Park or the Andromeda Strain, you ought to give this book a go. If you don't like SF, you'll probably STILL love this book. An account of many of the true stories of the author's interesting life, the book is divided into chapters which mostly stand on their own - so if you aren't a big reader, this book is perfect because you can read one chapter and then put it down for a time before going back to it. I gave this book to my Dad (in his early 50s) as a birthday present. The beginning section of the book tells stories of Crichton's time in med school, and the remainder describes the many amazing things that he encountered while travelling throughout the world. From cadaver-sawing to spoon-bending, this book is a spellbinding ride from start to finish.
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Summary: Get Ready
Review: As a therapist I enjoyed this book from the perspcective of searching for one's meaning in life and that journey. As an adventurer I enjoyed this book for the stories and excitement. One can enjoy the stories for their excitement or use this book to futher their own "search for meaning"
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