Rating: 
Summary: Not Crichton's best.
Review: This novel benefits from what may well be Crichton's greatest strength- his ability to create a fantastic premise that is grounded in enough real science to seem plausible. In this case, the story centers largely on a company that has secretly perfected technologies ranging from quantum computing to time travel. It is apparent that the author spent quite some time studying up on both quantum physics and the middle ages before penning this novel, and it largely paid off even if some chapters feel more like university lectures than story development.Unfortunately, in this case Crichton's attention to science doesn't make up for his lack of attention to story development. Characters feel too flat to inspire much empathy, and many of their motivations are difficult to understand. One plothole that I couldn't get past: the company in the center of the story has exclusive patents on quantum computers, universal translators, and a host of other high-tech trinkets (not to mention time machines) but somehow has managed to find itself in dire financial straits. Why not put one of their less secretive gadgets on the market and make a few billion more to spend on their more covert operations? Arguably the weakest plot point is when we learn that the "villain" who runs the company has some kind of diabolical plan for getting rich with the time travel technology. What could it be? Going back to the 1920's and investing in the stock market? Murdering the parents of rivals before they are born? The answer will make you groan with disappointment. I don't want to ruin the ending, but I'll say this much- it's not exactly a new concept for a Crichton novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Timeline
Review: The story was a little ... blah. But anything with talk of quantum foam gets my utmost immediate attention, so there you have it, another guilty pleasure. I liked that the author was fictional where he needed to be and valid where he could be. Education as entertainment or vice versa, I think is true. I enjoyed the talk of authenticity even though it was coming from the bad guy. And I deeply appreciate the notion that we are not superior just because we're modern. I enjoyed talk of the castle, as green and gray are highly enjoyable. Also, the underground river intrigued me. Stalactites, I think, are quite awesome. Wicked cool even, if I may say so and yes, I think I just did.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully imaginative, but rough going in parts.
Review: Michael Crichton is a polymath--one who is apparently able to master many fields of knowledge. In this book, Crichton successfully writes a plausible story of time travel--into medieval France. Crichton's imagination, knowledge of history and knowledge of science makes this believable and realistic. Most time travel stories fail in both regards. This one does not. Crichton's explanation of quantum theory and how it might relate to time travel is utterly fascinating. His preface to the novel puts the notion of time travel in perspective, by comparing this possibility with already-present and wondrous 20th Century technological achievements. Don't skip this part. The story itself is interesting, but it does get bogged down in the middle and latter portions. I found the ending to be unsatisfying, although I don't know what Crichton could have done to improve it. Once one believes time travel is possible, it's pretty tough to explain where this leaves everything. This novel convinces the reader that mankind has, already, walked far. And that there is no reason to believe that we are not just beginning to be on our way.
Rating:
Summary: Typical Crichton
Review: 'Timeline' is a novel about time travel to medieval France. A group of historian/scientists are recruited to test time travel out. Sound familiar? Like 'Jurassic Park' possibly? Just like 'Jurassic Park', things don't go exactly as planned. If you enjoy other Michael Crichton books, or other technology/science/adventure type novels, this is a great read. Crichton has a knack for intertwining technology, history, and interesting characters. The twist with 'Timeline' is that the technology isn't based on computers or genetics or anything modern. It's based on the technology of 700 years ago. 'Timeline' is a perfect example of his masterty of the genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Timeline, by: Michael Crichton
Review: I think the book Timeline is a great book. It is about a group of people who get asked to go back in time with some other scientists to see what people did in the 1700's. Everything is going well until they get spotted and a few of the people are killed. If you want to figure out what happens to the rest of the scientists you are going to have to read the book. I would recommend this for people who like science ficton and for ages 12 to 15. It does have a little bad language, otherwise it is a very good book.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline
Review: I think this was a great science fiction book. I like how the author mixed science with action. The plot has many twists and turns throughout the book starting at about the twentieth page. The characters are described pretty good with their personality unfolding through the chapters even some of them do not make it alive all the way through the book. The beginning is disappointingly slow, but it picks up as soon as the characters are taken to a facility where the technology to take them back into the past is being developed. This was a pretty good book to read and anyone interested in sci-fi and adventure should read it.
Rating:
Summary: Quick-paced. Action-packed. Awesome.
Review: All three of those words describe Michael Chrichton's "Timeline" to the fullest. I was at my school library one day and for some reason this book seemed to catch my attention. Without thinking, I grabbed "Timeline" and checked it out. What I found was an extraordinary tale of action, honor, adventure, and a little bit of love compressed into a single, well-written package. Chrichton uses believeable explanations for his timetravel. And when it comes to the aspect of creating a Medieval world that existed over six-hundred years ago, Chrichton is an expert at this.
When you read this book (something that I highly recomend) you will find yourself immersed in a living, breathing world. The jist of the story is this: An intelligent professor manages to go back into 14th century France-- aparantly unaware of the warnings that the company ITC informs him of. The professor's students find out that he's in trouble (I won't tell you how because that will spoil one aspect of the book) and go back to find him.
If you read this story, you will most likely not regret it. I found myself reading for two hours and not even realizing the time had passed by. An excellent book by an excellen author. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline
Review: Timeline is a great book for the patient action/adventure reader. Crichton does an excellent job mixing realistic action with unbelievable sci-fi into his book. Even though it starts out a little slow it picks up greatly towards the middle so keep with it. It has plenty of complicated theories of time travel and atom reconstruction with lots of bloodthirsty knights and steel on steel action so you wont get bored. You will actually think you're in medieval France during the One Hundred Year War. The book content is for more mature readers; high school level and up. This book would be for adult only but Crichton explains the hardest ideas like he's been studying them his whole life. I definitely recommend this novel by Michael Crichton.
Rating: 
Summary: contrived and formulaic
Review: This strikes me as a book designed to cash in on his own popularity following the Jurassic Park novels. It's poorly thought out, with characters who are insufficiently fleshed out, and a premise (multiple universes?) that's even more unbelievable than time travel. it's full of baldly milked suspense, and the whole thing comprises 4 archaeologists trying to get together long enough to press a button to send them back to where they came from. sounds boring? well, it's about as exciting and rewarding as watching grass grow. and the obligatory obstacles that MC puts in their way are, this one gets lost. then the other. and then the 3rd. and then the 1st one again. wow. talk about a roller coaster ride in slow-mo. colour me bored.
Rating:
Summary: Not His Best
Review: I consider Michael Crichton one of the better writers of contemporary popular fiction around. At his best, his books are riveting. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that TIMELINE was quite up to that standard. What bothers me is that I don't quite know why. There are plenty of ingredients here: interesting technology, lots of action, and a plot that's a real cliffhanger. As it turns out though, I found Crichton's attempt to explain quantum physics in laymans terms to be the single most interesting part of the story. Ultimately, I guess, I just didn't find the mid-1300's as dangerous as some of the other scenarios Crichton has given us in the past. The dangers are all human and, while there is plenty of violence, it always seemed that young, fit well-educated people from the late 20th century ought to be able to cope with neer-do-wells from 1350. Admittedly, being in their own environment would give the villains some advantages, but not enough. All this is not to say that this wasn't an entertaining book; it was. I just didn't find it as compelling as some of Crichton's other tales. If you've read most of his other books, you'll probably want to read this, too. If you haven't, I suggest giving some of his other books a try. I liked ANDROMEDA STRAIN, SPHERE, JURASSIC PARK, LOST WORLD, and even EATERS OF THE DEAD better. Nevertheless, while TIMELINE isn't top-notch, I still rate it better than average. Give it a try -- just don't expect too much.
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