Rating: 
Summary: Classic Michael Crichton.
Review: I really enjoyed this page turning book. Mr. Crichton has found an excellent formula that combines a technology with a fictional story. In this case quantum mechanics and history take center stage to form a masterfully narrated fabled plot. This book rates equal to or higher than Airframe and Disclosure. If you like classic Crichton you will enjoy this one.
Rating: 
Summary: It could have been so good......
Review: Michael Crichton has relied once again on the tried and true formula he used in Jurassic Park, only this time he's taken modern people back in time (sort of) instead of bringing ancient creatures forward, supporting his idea with scientific theory. The concept is wonderful, but the author fails somewhat in his execution. As I read this book, I kept hungering for more details of life in the fourteenth century, more character development, more of everything (except for the swordfighting, which quickly got boring). His layman's description of quantum mechanics was quite interesting, as were his descriptions of chaos theory in _Jurassic Park_, even though, for obvious reasons, somewhat simplistic. However, it felt as if as if he had take the T. Rex/river chase scene in JP and expanded it to book length, neglecting the careful descriptions of characters and surroundings that made _Jurassic Park_ such an enjoyable read. I hope this trend in his writing does not continue. _Timeline_ would not have suffered if it had been expanded to twice its length. However, kudos to Mr. Crichton for the inclusion of the "Chapel Perilous", and of course the "Green Knight"!
Rating:
Summary: Surprise!
Review: Truly, I am not a fan of medieval times. Having not read the audio cover, I was surprised as the story began to unfold and at first was tempted to not continue. However, after just finishing Crichton's 'Disclosure', (which without hesitation I will say was probably the BEST book I have ever listened to, but that is another review), I decided to forge ahead. And am I glad I did! This will keep you on the edge the entire time. (A little difficult for me since I listen to books on tape while driving to work.) You will definitely feel the need to 'get back in to the car' to find out what happens next. The visual descriptions are vivid and masterful. It is apparent that Crichton did months, if not years, of research for this title. The ending was a fitting surprise, so don't give up on listening. The end justifies the nine cassettes and hours of listening, trust me. Crichton will make you believe the unbelievable!
Rating: 
Summary: reading TIMELINE is like following a poor video game...
Review: Micheal Crichton has great ideas with fairly well researched science behind them. BUT he just cannot write well! The beginning of the book is very informative and has a scientific compelling twist...and then there comes the 'fill': a long tale -pages and pages- of video game like fast paced medieval fihgts, where the 'actors' get wounded, recover on the next page then almost die instantly get a new life to run around to another battle ...: Michael, do you ever read again what you just typed on the page or do you rest on the laurels gained in your much better early books while watching the royalties flow in?
Rating:
Summary: Time Grind
Review: I've been an avid Crichton fan since picking up The Andromeda Strain as a young teen. I still love Congo--probably my favorite overall. I approached this book with high expectations. The premise intrigued me, and I enjoy medieval settings. Unfortunately, after a great build-up, I found myself in a two-dimensional 14th century, with cardboard villians and annoying scene-breaks (used to move along the story, I suppose). Time seemed to grind by as I read to the end. It came as no surprise that some early subplots never matured. For example, what happened to Sophie? Why was she even introduced in her scenes with Chris early on? I'd pass this book on, but with only a half-hearted recommendation. In the old days, Crichton would've taken the time to make this book gallop. Instead, it came trotting to the finish line, taking first-place by using the shortcuts allowed only by previous success.
Rating:
Summary: Book on CD only OK
Review: Intriguing story idea, but... This was my first audio book, so it took some getting used to the idea of listening to someone else's interpretation of the writing. Mr. Lang does well with straight narrative, and some characters, but doesn't do women characters very well. I got over that, however... The story has subplots and characters that don't assist the overall story, as well as explanations of events/technologies that are just plain unsatisfactory. I don't know if the lack of detail is a result of the abridged CD version, or if the full text is equally weak in these areas. This version was, however, "approved by the author". Timeline starts out interesting enough, but with each CD it grows more absurd. The explanation for time travel and resolving paradoxes is simply a horrible cop out--perhaps forgivable given the topic--but the manner in which 20th-Century students fight battle-hardened knights was too much. I had only read one Crichton book before (Sphere), and Crichton fans tell me I picked the worst one... I appear to be 2-for-2. The subject of this was more intriguing than Sphere, but Sphere didn't become ridiculous until the final 50 (or so) pages. Someone below called this a kid's book, but I enjoyed Harry Potter more. On a positive note there are some good scenes. I enjoyed the description of 14th Century France, and got caught up in the idea of visiting the Middle Ages...
Rating:
Summary: The best Crichton book I've read
Review: I've read a lot of Michael Crichton's books and I think that this is definatly the best yet. It kept me glued to the book. My only gripe about it is that the end could have been pulled off a little better and it was a little mean. Other then that, it was an excellent book which I would reccommend to anyone with no reservation.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, with just a few pitfalls
Review: I don't know if it is because I read Jurassic Park when I was younger, but this was not nearly as good as that masterpiece. While it was a very intriguing, and well-written book, there were a number of things unexplained. If all of the universes began at the same point, and events all happen at the same rate in all of them, how there be a universe that is earlier in Time? Also, how did the Professor's message, and Andre's grave end up in our world if they were written, and buried in a different universe? While I can try to rationalize these things to myself, I will never know for sure if they are the right rationalizations. All in all, a good read. It makes you think about what could happen if this "quantum faxing" ever becomes a reality the way it does in this book. I recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not Awesome
Review: I REALLY liked the beginning part of the book and once it got into Crighton's theories of "Time Travel" I was thrilled at the realistic level of detail and accuracy that makes me wonder if this technology is at all possible! I thought that the mid-evil scenes were okay... I was hoping for more Time theories and less old-type action. A major problem was (I tend to skim, or read quickly so I need a book that constantly reminds me who characters are and whats going on) that i got lost a bunch of times and didn't know what was going on...<sigh>, very frustrating. I enjoyed the other Crighton book, Sphere much better. I WILL tell you this, though. I really admire all of his work and a glance at the sources cited page will show much research he puts into his books. I believed(and still do) all of his historical references and thought it was a nice touch. Good, but not great. Worth reading if you like historical stuff...I'm more of a sci-fi fan myself.
Rating:
Summary: MC's pen is still very juicy!
Review: I usually don't devour a book of this size in three days. With this one, I did. If you have enjoyed his "Sphere" and "Congo", you will like this one. The middle parts of the book is a bit stuffy but the thrill speeds up towards the alst third of the book. This is the second time I witness MC's interest is "Authenticity" Try to rent his 1970s classic "Westworld" and compare. The way quantum physics is portrait is fun with the exclusion of the occasional $50 terms like: Orthogonal Multiverse Coordinate Change! You'll have fun finding this one out. I am glad to see the MC has still the gift to move us from into the realm of adventure fanstasy.
| 
