Rating: 
Summary: A Tasty Thriller!
Review: Definitely chricton's best work since "Jurassic Park", "Timeline" is amazingly imagined and plotted. The characters are superbly crafted and believable. Crichton goes out of his way to immerse you in the world of 12th century, medieval France, it's politics and warring factions. Even more incredible is the way he describes the sights, smells and sounds of a world that none has ever known. From the devastating power of a trebuchet to the relative quiet of the french countryside void of the ambient noise of modern life, Crichton tells a rich and compelling story that unfolds in front of you. His signature of blending science (in this case, quantum physics) and imagination is better than ever. "Timeline" is a definite page turner and it's rich plot and ensemble cast makes for an entertaining read overall.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good...
Review: This book was pretty good. The author did a good job of bringing the reader into the history. I'm a medieval graduate student and this book was awesome from that standpoint. I'm also a science-phobic. When the book would cut back to the lab and go into scientific jargon, I'd hit my head against the hall. The history was also very honest. Most fictions, either romanticise the past, or make it look horrible. Crichton was somewhere in between. There were filthy people that live up to our stereotype of the middle ages. There were also people that didn't offend and you figure they knew about basic hygeine. I really liked the medieval woman in the book. Women had power in some cases, but wouldn't use it openly, because it was against the rules of the land. Instead they would scheme as did this woman. Crichton did a wonderful job. I looked at the resources he used to write this and had read some of the books and authors. He used some excellent sources. The reason I only gave this four starts, was the science and logic. Another person wrote on the logic as well. I fought my way through the science, but there seemed to be inconsistancies. If the past wasn't past, but an alternate universe, then our modern day couldn't be affected, but it was. Also, supposedly the past couldn't be changed. But it was by going into the past, that certian events were forced to take place. Very confusing and inconsistant.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing comes remotely close
Review: Wow, if you like medeival history, if you like science, if you just like a freakin' adrenaline rush this book is SO for you. This book seriously kicks some serious butt, don't be fooled by it's sale rating. Nowadays people are ordering Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, but this book brings technology and swords, chivalry, and jousting together in a on-the-edge-of-your-seat-wanting-to-be-able-to-read-faster-so-you-can-turn-the-page novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Idea, lousy follow through
Review: The premise of the book is great, transporting people back in time, the cultural and social differences from the present, the dangers easily slipped into, the expected and unexpected differences...however, the writing left a lot to be desired, I have not read any other of Crichton's books, maybe this is his standard writing style, but I hope not. The book read like a good first draft that needed to be fleshed out, there was maybe too much about the physics of the time travel, some of it out of my league, & dull. In contrast there was not nearly enough true character or situation development. The chapters were very short, often one page, and the sentences often 4 - 5 word clips. This seemed to be an attempt to try to create tension between the conflict of the dangers experienced by the group transported to the past and the simultaneous difficulties experienced by those in the present trying to get them back, however, I just found it annoying. It truly reads like a book put together simply to fulfill a contract or just to try to sell it for a movie. This would be a great movie, & the first time you can say the movie was better than the book.
Rating:
Summary: Imagery and Complexity
Review: Michael Crichton's novel Timeline is written with superior use of imagery and complexity. Crichton uses all five senses when dealing with each character as their dangerous adventure back in time turns into a struggle to survive. Crichton's complexity towards each character's situation portrays a tone filled with suspense, thrill and danger. Crichton's use of imagery helps detail his setting and plot structure accurately. His descriptions to characters using each of their senses helps the reader feel as if they were beside the character during the dilemma. For example: "a spear pierced into the horse's chest and as the blood spilled onto Chris, he squealed in agony, not in pain, but in shock by the high temperature of the horse's inner-fluid", (243). Crichton's use of complexity allows the reader to know every detail in/of the situation, as well as the conflicts' characters have both: separated from each other in the past, and the helplessness of the characters in the present to help the others in the past. Crichton's complexity allows the suspense of a dangerous act continue for many chapters as he depicts other conflicts during/set at other places (time: past and present). Crichton's use of imagery and complexity allows the reader to know and experience all situations in this novel. This book is highly recommended to those who enjoy tales of struggle (for life), honor, lust and knowledge of science (technology and anthropology).
Rating:
Summary: absolutely fantastic
Review: This book was the first Michael Chrichton book I have read. It was absolutely great. I read it for a book report and it is well above my reading level. My sister read it as a senior in highschool and I read it in 8th grade. It is absolutely fantastic for the science-fiction reader! Since I have read AIRFRAME and I am going to be getting another couple of Michael Chrichton books soon!!! My advice to you. . . read the book!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Crichton is good.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like Crichton and I like history and the two blended well together. The plot keeps you interested and there are so many funny instances. For instance, the "English" is not American English so they have to adapt to that, then the women have to dress and act like men because they are not treated well as females. It has humor and a little history lesson. It's very entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline By Michael Crichton
Review: Timeline by Michael Crichton is the best novel I have ever read. Michael Crichton is one of the best authors that ever live. In this novel Michael, Chris, and Kate go to a mysterious corporation to find another sceintist. This company invented a machine that is able to transport someone to the Middle Ages. Once they get back to the Middle Ages, their guide dies and they are left alone. No matter what, they are going to find their freind and every time they seem to get closer sometimes else happens. It began as a rescue mision and after a while it became a fight to survive. As time runs down, will they find their freind? If they do, will they get back? this book is packed with adventure and suspense and Michael Crichton makes you want to read it. After I read this book, I had to read Michael Crichton's other books. This is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: dude, this book rocks
Review: ok, i may only be a 14 year old freshman in high school but this book just rocks. i love the way crichton intertwines all the history, science and everything else in an exciting plot. i've read other techno-thriller type books by clancy and other authors and this book trumps them ALL. i'm not gonna spoil the ending for you but its not as "predictable" as the other dude put it (me being a teen may play some part in it :0 ) i had to read it all in one night 'cuz i just did not want to put it down and i had to know what happened next. as a reference, i think its alot better than most of his other books. go read this book now. i'd give it 10 stars if i could.
Rating:
Summary: Jurassic Park meets medieval time period via timetravel
Review: I just finished reading this book and I have to say it's a real page turner. I have only read 2 other Micheal Crichton books so far: Jurassic Park and The Lost World. This book is as good as Jurassic Park. I've always been interested in quantum physics so I picked this book up. if your expecting alot on quantum physics forget it. Crichton gives just enough to explain how his "Time Machine" could work. After that your well on your way to edge of your seat excitement in the middle ages. I know this sounds cliche but you really do keep turning pages to find out what's next. The strength of this book is really in the research that Crichton has done on the middle ages, and how he mixes that with his ability to deliver excitement. Ironically, the only critism I could find for this book is the same reason that makes it so enjoyable, and that is he's kind of fallen into a trap with some of his work. In Jurassic Park and Lost World it's dinosaurs and amusement parks. With the movie "Westworld" it was the old west and amusement parks, and in timeline it's using a time machine to experience history as amusement. Do you see a pattern here? Anyways without disecting this book too deeply I can say I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend anyone picking it up. If you want an exciting story of intelligent people trapped in a bad situation, that delivers thrills pick this up. isn't that the whole point of Crichton's books anyway?
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