Rating: 
Summary: A Science Fiction Time Travel Historical Thriller
Review: My title says just how I would characterize this book. I really enjoy historical novels. This one was combined with the urgency of a thriller, and a plausible-enough senario for time travel that the reader can accept. This book was a bit different from Chrichton's other books, but still an excellent page-turner. If you have enjoyed Crichton's other books, or if you enjoy historical novels, you should enjoy this one too.
Rating:
Summary: One of the better Crichtons
Review: Even though the book is in the typical Crichton formula, (team of scientists suffering at the whim of an brilliant but tyranical techno-capitalist), this is a satisfying read nontheless. The action is packed, the characters great, the hypothesis amazing. His take on what we read about history and what may have actually happened should be a book in itself and is the humor that drives the story. I'm a history buff and I enjoy reading this authors work. It was highly entertaining to see Crichton's obviosly brilliant mind go to work on this subject. You can tell that the author had fun writing this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Formula that Works, mostly
Review: A lot of Michael Crichton's books follow a recognisable formula: Take a real cutting edge technology and stretch just enough so that it becomes fictional without losing plausibility. Add an obsessive corporate head who values profits and progress over people. Mix in a handful of academic professionals of varying specialitites. Place in a dangerous situation, garnish with detail, and serve.In _Timeline_ the formula results in a book that is fast-paced and very readable, offering a blend of science, history and action that is visually stimulating and intellectually interesting. Hard science fiction buffs will like the detailed explanation of the theory and technology behind time "travel," while those geared more towards historical fiction will find a wealth of detail about the 14th century. My main criticism of _Timeline_ is that the characters are somewhat two-dimensional. The bad guys are strictly that, without any redeeming or sympathetic qualities, whereas the good guys seem to be characterised mainly by their abilities. This makes the action fairly predictable, e.g., the rock-climbing architect invariably spends a lot of time scaling castle walls and the expert in medieval armament gets in a lot of sword fights, etc. There is also not a whole lot of subtlety or intrigue; action is the name of the game. Sometimes I did not exactly find this plausible. Granted the 14th century was a dangerous time, but I often wondered at the readiness of the natives, as it were, to strike first and leave questions out of it entirely. A few plot elements were left hanging and a few characters who you think will play major parts simply disappear, never to be heard from again. Still and all, this is an entertaining book that is hard to put down once you've started.
Rating: 
Summary: Good...not great
Review: I'm a big fan of Crichton's work. I was a little disappointed in this novel. It lacked the fresh perspectives I've come to expect from such a talented author. That said, a so-so book by Crichton is still well above the work offered by many other writers today.
Rating:
Summary: Good story, far out main premise
Review: Extremely far out premise for 'time' travel. But that's classic science fiction at its best.
Fairly beleiveable characters. Good action.
Chapel of Green Death is an obvious hypothetical source for Sir Gwain and the Green Knight tale. Very reminiscent of concept of Eaters of the Dead; in writing a 'true story' of the basis of a legend...
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: Easily the best book I've ever read. I could not put it down. The combination of science and history was great. I particularly liked the characters in the book. I thought the integration of quantum physics with time travel was extremely creative. I am usually a slow reader, but I read this 500 page book in four days, it was so exciting. I strongly suggest anyone read this who likes quantum physics, medieval history, or just an action thriller. Great book!
Rating:
Summary: The Elusive Paradox
Review: Michael Crichton has achieved the impossible: an action novel heavy on historical detail. This in itself is a paradox no less than some of those which would be created by time travel. Amazingly, it works. The plot is writing-school simple: Chris, Kate and Marek must travel back to 1357 in order to rescue Professor Johnston, their stranded boss. Yet even as Crichton keeps the action going on every page, he provides an admirable amount of detail while suggesting some food for thought. Foremost among these is the fact that people who lived in medieval times, or any other province of the past, were no more or less human than we are. Many today have some perception of earlier humans as somehow inferior to us modern types, when in fact it is our skills that have changed, not our nature. Perhaps no medieval human being could build a radio or design a web site, but none few of us today can joust or hunt for food, let alone defend ourselves with a heavy sword. Crichton subtly makes the point that if anything, the skills of clever women have better stood the test of time than the warrior ways of medieval man: through the characters of Kate and Claire we see how each is able to outwit or outmanoeuvre those around them in the medieval world, while only such a freakishly time-displaced male as André Marek, practicing jousting as a hobby in 1999, would have any chance of surviving if thrust into an earlier time. This is a fast-paced engrossing read you'd better buy for your next vacation unless you want to be up until 1 AM stealing reading time from sleep.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This is the best long novel I have ever read. Most books this long seem overdrawn and lose you at some point, but not _Timeline_. The book has many overlapping plots and storylines, each of which is edge-of-your-seat thrilling. As a science student, I can say that Crichton certainly did his research before writing the science fiction in this story , unlike many authors. This is a must read. It is too bad this cannot become a movie, as it is too long.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: this is the frst crichton book that i have read and it is easy one of the best books i have read in my life. The characters are great, the action is intense, and the plot is deep. I went late into the night reading this book. Get this book if you like thrillers or action
Rating:
Summary: Never in my life...
Review: I have read almost every single Crichton novel to date. After I finish reading one I always say that Crichton could never outdo that. But, he always does. This book is the most fun I have had in a long time. It is the best Crichton novel to date and I wonder if he will be able to outdo this. Perhaps I'm a little biased because I love studying Medieval Europe. The plot unfolds quickly and the characters are absorbing. This is no mere book. It is art.
| 
