Rating: 
Summary: Swashbuckling
Review: Having read this book when it 1st came out I could see it becoming a movie. Although Crichton has been around a while he has become quite popular of late where pretty much anything he writes now is translated on film. I find that while Crichton's not a great writer he is a great storyteller. He does a lot of research making him a true SCIENCE-fiction writer, though he tends to show off ALL his research at times. Swashbuckling, predictable, definite movie material I still liked "Timeline". The little things like the earpieces that translate Middle-French, too many time travel stories ignore the fact that languages change and have every one speak Modern English. I liked his portrayals of Lincoln & Washington and the discussion on why you can't go back and accidentally screw up the timeline like "Star Trek" is always so worried about. I also like how he slipped in "Sir Gawain & the Green Knight" with the mad knight at the green chapel. I did keep waiting for a paradox with the explanation that they weren't really back in time but in a parallel universe, but nothing ever came of that. Sit back & enjoy it!
Rating: 
Summary: Are you serious?
Review: Hey, I can suspend my belief enough for time travel, but not enough for what the main characters acheive in this book. Battle hardened Knights, deadly accurate archers, mideival prisons, these are no match for these college students who suddenly turn superhuman and slice, dice and defeat everyone they encounter while escaping more impossible situations than I can count. This book was highly recommended to me by three people. Great plot, well written, I just couldn't get past the absurdity of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Predictable
Review: It is truly astounding to see such positive reviews given for this book. The only reason I can imagine is that they don't read much fiction. The book simply put is predictable. My spouse began reading this book for a book club. After reading the introduction to the book, I was eager to jump in and read it together. The introduction begins with some non-fictional tidbits about what we'd consider physical impossibilites, but yet may actually be possible. . .things in the realm of Quantum Physics...
The first scene only added to the great potential for an enthralling plot. But sadly these first characters were left behind and the plot entered into the category of literary pablum. After 70 or so pages in, I knew exactly what the plot would be. I laid out the entire plot and stopped reading, while having my spouse continue. Everyday she'd give me an update on the progress of the book and it's plot. Sadly, I charted the plot to a near exact detail.
What's worse than the predictability are the characters. Each has some bit of talent, which then just so happens is essential for them to use on their adventure. Of course in the group there must be a "brainy" one, then a "strong-guy", a clumsy-funny one. . .even these characters are trite and predictable in their actions. If you are just tired of the same old plot in action films, don't read this, you'll just be wasting your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Timeline rocks!
Review: TIMELINE
By Michael Crichton Michael Crichton's TIMELINE is one of the best books I have ever read! If you are interested in science fiction at all this is definitely one worth reading.
The storyline is very creative. The whole thought of time travel through quantum mechanics is enough to blow your mind. It really makes you wonder, "what if?"
The thing that I liked most about the book is the sophistication involved in the storyline. It takes a lot of research and gap filling on a subject such as quantum mechanics to base a whole story upon it. Not only that but it also takes imagination to make your readers question the possibility of time travel at all. He does a great job of this because of the background he gives you on the subject. It would take a creative as well as sophisticated person to come up with something like this. For this reason I recognize Michael Crichton's talent for writing.
Another thing that is great about the book is all of the action. There is rarely a moment in the book where the characters are not fighting for their own survival. The team of four scholars is found in situations where new found talents such as jousting, using new explosives, and of course the traditional sword fighting (just to name a few) are pertinent to their survival. Some events that take place are such that you would never think about actually happening, but are very realistic situations if you were really to be sent back in time. It leaves you wondering where the author comes up with some of this stuff. Once again, research I'm sure plays a large role in this thinking process, but it still amazing to me sometimes.
The characters as well were also very well described and developed. I liked this about the book also. The way the events occurred you were able to receive the story and points of view from every character and not just one opinion from merely one character in the book on the events. It made for a very well-rounded storyline.
The last thing I really liked about the book is the way it left you wondering and contemplating the possibilities after reading the book. It takes work to keep your readers interested throughout the story, but to keep them thinking about it after they complete the book takes even more work.
I will be interested to see how the motion picture of this movie turns out. This is one of the books action packed books that you would think would make a great movie. It has a very well thought out storyline and very well developed characters. It is packed with action as well and great special effects could come into play with this one. I hope that the movie will be a good portrayal of the book, though it seems the movies don't often turn out to be as good as the books.
Guys, this is definitely one that you should check out if you are at all interested in science fiction, time travel, or quantum mechanics. Even if you are just planning on seeing the movie, I would give the book a try. It is one that will leave you thinking of the possibilities for a long time. UTskiergurl
Rating:
Summary: Very Worthwhile Read
Review: Very good story, good action and very likeable characters. About everything you want out of a story. There is a lot going on in this story, sometimes hard to keep track of, but ever so interesting. Movie of this story is coming out end of November 2003 and I am expecting this to be a top notch action movie. With the book, like I stated earlier, there is a lot going on. With the movie, I think they will be able to cut out somethings and concentrate on making a nailing biting, big time action movie. Read the book, watch the movie. You won't be disapointed.
Rating: 
Summary: I know what you did 600 years ago
Review: I'm suddenly glad i was born in the 20th century. Because Michael Crichton does a genuinely good job of making 14th century France downright scary. 'Timeline' is a superb read, with an excellent plot, well-constucted characters, and I could go on and on. Anyway, I can't wait for the movie to come out- should be great!
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED This Book
Review: I have to admit, I put this book back on the shelf about 5 times before I actually read it. The description sounds rediculous: Quantum Physicists end up in Feudal France. Finally, I gave it a shot. I could NOT put it down. I read the book from cover to cover in 1 day. I almost cried when it was over becaue I needed at least 500 more pages. You will not be disappointed with TIMELINE. Get it, read it, love it.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant romp through Medieval France
Review: As is usual in a Michael Crichton novel, expect a fast flow of ideas and event in Timeline. There is much to enjoy in his work, and I'm always pleased when someone stays on top of contemporary questions about modern science, even if the end result is admittedly fanciful. The basic plot of Timeline is that a group of Medieval historians go back in time to the to middle ages, at the site they were excavating, to mount a rescue mission. Once there, they find themselves caught up in events beyond their control (big surprise, I know) and they all have to use their knowledge of the era to survive as well as they can. The action is quick and lively, the characters are moderately believable, and the setting seems real. But that's about as much as one can say. The villains are pretty predictable, and the CEO of the company that built the time machine is the most predictable of all. Naturally the rescue team was not told everything they needed to know, and as readers we only find things out in the order Crichton wants us to by having no characters talk about the issues even when alone. "Gee, Mr. CEO, shouldn't we have told them about (whatever, with more details inserted)? It would sure help them avoid getting killed!" This right after the characters start finding things out. In the end, though, every character gets to use his or her own special knowledge at just the right time and place. So basically, if you like Michael Crichton (as I do, despite my sarcasm) then you'll probably enjoy Timeline. It's a fun read, with some good ideas thrown in. Don't worry too much about the plot machinations it took to get everyone into place. Just kick back and enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Timeline is an awesome book. Truly portraying the Medieval times as they really were. It includes all the excitement from the Jarassic books and all the fighting, blood and grime. It's not a sissy book of sunshine and flowers and will open a new door to the imagination.
Rating:
Summary: A Waste of Paper!
Review: Michael Crichton is an accomplished writer who has produced some marvelous novels and one or two classics, 'Timeline' cannot be included amongst them. The notion of time travel has interested writers for over a hundred years, but I am more convinced by the possibilities of H.G. Wells' ivory and quartz chariot than Crichton's techno-nonsense. The book runs to almost five hundred pages, at least half of which are padding, full of endless chases and characters about as convincing as the cast of a Monty Python film. Much has been said here about the historical accuracy of the book, but in the hands of a skilled wordsmith such details, gathered from the internet in about thirty minutes, can be spun easily into a convincing scenario. In spite of his undoubted skill, Crichton makes a huge historical error. 'Lord Oliver' is described as being 'about thirty' and claims to have been present at the murder of King Edward 11. Well, as this story is set in 1357 and King Edward was murdered in 1327, was he a babe in arms or possibly a foetus at the time? This is not writing, but knitting!! Stick to dinosaurs and aliens, Mr. Crichton, and study English history a little more closely! One star awarded for effort!!
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