Timeline (Unabridged)

Rating:
Summary: I can't believe I read the whole thing!
Review: This was a very boring, predictable book. The plot was rather implausable, and the characters (particularly the medieval characters) were not well developed at all. Crichton's attention to detail is his strength, and there was no lack in that area, but it only goes so far when it come to holding the reader's interest. Pass on this one.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: Starts off intriguingly mysteriously -- discovery of a strange body in a desert. But then deteroriates into fanciful non-credibility, shallow cardboard characters and an unconvincing plot. The book does not grab you, quite the contrary. It turned into a page-turner for me: to get through it quickly. I'm glad I bought it as an Xmas gift for someone who asked for it. I would regret having spent the money had I bought it for myself. The book will translate into a Hollywood special effects flash-zing-bangfest, though. -- Tom Longo in Ocean City, MD

Rating:
Summary: Michael Crichton Entertains Again
Review: Once again Michael Crichton does a bang up job entertaining the reader. Loaded with facts/stats(as is typically Crichton), no matter. I travel extensively and therefore desire books that make the journey easier. When I read Timeline, a very long trip literally zipped by. Like some previous Crichton works we are taken to another place,time, world, but that's fine with me. The critics that tear away at Crichton's factoids, etc., are forgetting that some of us just like to have a fun read once in a while--and this is truly a fun read. Forget the fact critics--read the book and have fun.

Rating:
Summary: Medieval times
Review: This was an exceptional book! The possibility of quantum theory, a look back into life in the 12th century combined with the profit motive of an American company made for great reading! A few surprises are added as a bonus. The view of 12th century France was the best part of the book for me but as the main focus of the book is there is you don't like medieval times you won't like the book. Don't expect alot of character development, just a quick pace thoughout. It reads quickly is fun and makes one wonder what can be!

Rating:
Summary: Boring
Review: To be fair, I have to admit that I gave up after 100 pages. The characters are absolutely cardboard, the story is reads like an outline for a story (put some flesh on it and it might work). In fact, perhaps that's what it is? The outline for a screenplay?

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Timeline, is another excellent book by,Micheal Crichton. The book ids about time travel and quantum physics. In the bbok you go from 2000 to 14th century feudal Europe, to rescue a professor. etc.etc.etc. blah blah blah,yadi ydai ya

Rating:
Summary: conneticut yankee?
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The science may have some flaws, but this was a very enjoyable read. When is the sequel?

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Very ambitious, but underperforming. The idea of melding high tech with the past worked in Jurassic Park, but it does not work in Timeline. A book about quantum physics, or a book about 14th century europe would be better than a book about both.

Rating:
Summary: Take it from a Jouster.....
Review: I've been reading some of these reviews about Timeline, and it seems people are split on it. That's amazing to me. How can you not like this book? I couldn't put this book down, I think I finished it faster than any novel I've ever read, and I read ALOT! I've rarely been so completely engrossed and involved in a book before. The descriptions of elements of Quantum physics were fascinating and simple. Mostly, I really cared for the characters and I just loved what Chrichton did with the last chapter. Maybe that's because I felt such a close kinship with the character 'Marek'. I am a professional actor in New York and I have been jousting professionally for seven years now. Chrichton did an AMAZING job of describing what jousting and broadsword fighting is really like. Not just from a technical, book-learned way, but from a very real and visceral sense. I really have to wonder how he knows so much about it. Yeah, he might have just talked to some of us jousters, but there were some details about what it's really like to ride a horse with all of that equipment on, that I can't understand how he knows. It's just so intuitive. From what it's like inside the helmet, to how it feels to see someone coming at you like that, he just totally hit the nail on the helm. I wonder if he's ever tried it. (I find that kind of hard to believe, because it takes a very long time to be able to do it.) Also, from an actor's standpoint; I am someone who has studied people's motivations and behavior intensely for many years now and I found these character's dialogue and moment to moment actions completely believable. This is a great, action filled book that I recommend to everyone, be they sword-slingers or no. Sir Michael Chrichton, I dip my lance at thee. Thank you!

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't wait for the car ride!
Review: I travel quite a bit and have found that listening to tapes an enjoyable way to pass the time. Michale Chrichto's novel " Timeline " had me glued to the head sets. The plot was very interesting and orginal. It had all the great ingridents, bad guys, chases, intrique, suspense, hero's and a great ending. Just super!