Rating: 
Summary: Too many good ideas, too little space
Review: Mr. Crichton's newest novel Timeline is very good. I was instantly taken by all of the ideas thrown out by Mr. Crichton. There was mention of quantum physics and its relation to cutting edge technology. Old languages such as middle english and occitan spoken by a member of the core characters. Time travel, swordplay, torture methods (no, I am not sadistic), immersive history, and Bill Gates under an alias. I was excited to tear through it. I did just that, tore through it. While all of the ideas were mentioned, none of them were developed or used very much. While I was used to a lack of character development by Mr. Crichton, this lack of idea development was extremely disappointing. I give it four stars on the basis of it having the interesting ideas and being a good thriller.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable and Action Packed
Review: I enjoyed this book a great deal. It is not Crichton's best, but it is typical for him. I enjoyed learning from a historical perspective how truly barbaric things were during the 100 years war. Thank goodness we have moved on. The premise of the book is a bit farfetched, but if you can enjoy the book for what it is -- good fiction -- I recommend you read it.
Rating:
Summary: Man, that was fun
Review: Like most of Crichton's books, I found Timeline to be a fast-paced, entertaining, exciting adventure story that left me feeling exhilarated, along with giving the sense that I'd learned something about medieval history. Each time I finished a chapter, I wanted to find out what happened next, which is pretty much my definition of compelling. It reads like it'll make a great movie, but it makes a pretty good book, too.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Concept, Poor Execution
Review: Michael Crichton comes up with some fascinating concepts based on cutting-edge science (or pseudo-science) and sometimes delivers a really entertaining novel, as he did with Jurassic Park. His "Lost World" sequel to that book however was a letdown. Timeline, unfortunately, more closely resembles his Lost-World effort. The opening chapters nicely tease the reader with the prospect of "multiverse" travel and the possibility of sending 20th/21st century humans on a trip into the distant past. This could have made a great high-technology yarn a-la the best novels of Tom Clancy. Unfortunately, once the travelers arrive in the 13th century the story bogs down as the characters become engaged in one unlikely misadventure after another. Not only did I lose my willingness to suspend disbelief, I also lost interest in the story. I had looked forward to reading Timeline but I was glad when I finished it and could move on to something more satisfying. A disappointing read.
Rating:
Summary: interesting premise, poor execution
Review: Timeline started out well--a group of academics are sent back to France in the Middle Ages and must survive until they are returned to the present--but it quickly became boring and tedious to read. Page after page, the characters were constantly fighting for their lives as they encountered a ridiculous number of contrived mishaps, accidents, and villains. After surviving so many deadly situations, you knew they were going to be alright and return to the present, but with such a predictable plot, you couldn't feel any tension and anxiety for the characters. Crichton did a good job of describing what it must have been like to live in France during the Hundred Years War, but he forgot to include a good plot and interesting characters in his book. Total tedium.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline review
Review: Typical Crichton adventure. The book was very well thought out and exciting. The concept of "time travel" is intrigueing along with interesting history of the middle ages. I've never read a bad Chrichton book. This one rates up there with his best works. It'll keep you in suspense!
Rating:
Summary: Good idea quickly fades
Review: Mr. Chrichton, always inventive, has a good idea in this book. Unfortunately, he has become so used to writing movies that he actually cuts this thing up like a movie and at the same time turns it into a chase instead of a story. I miss seeing Mr. Crichton explore the universe (or multiverse) in which he has placed his characters. I think he actually used the scene where someone starts sliding over a cliff (a la Jurassic Park) three times! It's very weak in this respect and really destroys what should have been a good read. Mr. Crichton doesn't lack skill or intelligence, but he has become too used to the Hollywood perspective and he has lost or misplaced his storytelling sense. EKW
Rating:
Summary: Good book!
Review: I found the book quite interesting. In my opinion, it is actually a history log, science factfile and a novel all rolled into one single exciting book! The facts are easily understood as they are well-explained ... unlike some of Crichton's previous novels which didn't really succeed in getting younsters in understanding them... Great book on the whole that's worth your money spent!
Rating: 
Summary: Timeline will withstand Time
Review: Crichton's newest engrossing novel, Timeline, is a masterpeice of contemporary literature. When I first picked up the new novel, I thought it might be a horrible dissapointment like some of his books of the past (i.e. Terminal man.) But this great new book combines the best of science, technology and suspense. If you have never liked Crichton before, you must read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline
Review: This is the best book that he has writen since Jurassic Park
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