Rating: 
Summary: Comic Book Material
Review: The book makes an interesting blend of science and history. However, the story places the main characters in one close call, after another, after another, after another, and on and on. After about the 11th near death expireince, I had the tendency to think "come on--this is getting rediculous."Nonetheless, the story was entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: A good book, but definitely not Crichton's best
Review: Timeline is a story of time travel, parallel universes, history, science fiction, and conflict. The character's are well developed, but leave a small bit lacking. The plot in itself is on the borderline of cliche and unique, and Crichton interprets it rather well. However, I found this book to be a bit too Sci-Fi and fiction for my tastes, despite Crichton's vast use of science. It's obvious that he did his research, but the outcome seems a bit too extreme. Overall, a good book with its strengths and weaknesses.
Rating: 
Summary: His second worst
Review: This is perhaps the Crichton's second worst book after Lost World. This is an insult to science fiction enthusiasts. I think he should call this a screenplay rather than a novel. Mr Crichton has been completely sold out to Hollywood...... I was extremely disappointed as I am a huge fan of his writing. My favorite being the "The Great Train Robbery" and "Jurassic Park". This book has very little scientific content and whatever little there is , is also very unconvincing.
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Summary: Not an avid Crighton follower...
Review: But this book I couldn't put down! I would deliberately stop reading and not pick it up for a couple days to avoid finishing it! I'm not the biggest historian buff but you don't really have to be to follow it's plot. I almost felt like I knew the travelers, as with got to dislike the "bad guy" so much I felt like I knew him personally. I've always been interested in books and movies revolving around time travel, this one was definitely one of the best!
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Summary: Crichton, King of the Mass Market Novel...
Review: What can I say? Crichton writes books that are wild, imaginative, thrilling, and fun. TIMELINE is no exception even if it does borrow the skeleton of JURASSIC PARK. This time around, you've got a rich guy who's busy trying to design theme parks around time travel. He sends a group of archaeologists and historians back in time... where they get stuck in the medieval dark ages, where they must survive for the next few days until they can make it back home. If that's even possible. Crichton wastes no time in getting the story going and, while characterization may be slim, the story races along quickly, pulling the reader forward in time as the characters themselves struggle in a history they've known only through books. A great little romp and a fun little read.
Rating:
Summary: Action packed... almost to the point of being ridiculous
Review: First let me say that I enjoyed this book a great deal. It was a fun read. The science was a little laughable, but it's allowed. The historical details about medieval Europe were the most interesting part of the story for me, and the sense of wonder over the past coming to life that Crichton is trying to convey comes across in wonderful rich color. There is a bit much of the almost-solving-everything-then-another-disaster-happens plot twisting for one to really suspend disbelief, but then, it's an action novel, so I can forgive it. If you like time travel stories, you will enjoy this. If you like fantasy stories about knights in bloody armour, you will like this. It will appeal to those with an interest in archaology, architecture, history, medieval France, and many more. I'd suggest picking this one up if you are looking for something not too serious and quite entertaining.
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Summary: A great book but don¿t hold your breath for the Movie
Review: I have no knowledge in medieval history. However, this book took my interest in sci-fi and wrapped it nicely with a curiosity I'll have to quench by further reading about Medieval times. Though not expert enough to critique historical fact, I'm well read enough to know a good book and good research when I see it. His attention to detail and facts make this apparent in the story. Additionally I would say that Crichton is the master of literary foreshadowing in his plots. It is especially apparent in this story when you sense a foreshadowing of a future event in the plot but not quite sure what it could be...driving you to read further and trade sleep for reading. I am impressed with this writing skill of Crichtons and it is especially valuable in this book. Crichton may not be considered a Literary Master in the present tense but no doubt in the future his books will still be around and well-read as possibly newly discovered genius in the 22nd Century. To his credit I bring to your attention his brilliant savvy at technological drama is his writing on the Television show E.R.. I would go out on a limb to recommend this for those who might enjoy a bit of sci-fi and who might be a closet History buff. The plot is a little reminiscent of the "Mad Tycoon" of Jurassic Park fame but there are enough variations to the theme to make this a good book, particularly if you are already a Crichton fan. It's certainly a page-turner and while reading this on a car trip I was inclined to read some passages out loud to my fellow travelers. Nobody begged me to stop and later asked me how the book ended. Rumor has it that this will be made into a Motion Picture. Based on my experience of turning Crichton books to Movies, I won't rush out to the theatre when it comes out. I say this out of the experience of his past Novels "Jurassic Park" and even "Sphere" which were both a great reads but lousy movie adaptations. (Saved only by Jodi Foster's good acting talent in "Sphere") Perhaps though it is merely a testament to Hollywood Machine of bad screenplay adaptation than to this author's screen writing skills. If it does I will be surprised but I don't think Hollywood can do this plot justice.
Rating:
Summary: The pseudo-professor strikes again
Review: Okay, this was a good book. Crichton is exciting and makes you want to read the book as quickly as possible so as to get to the end. But you get to the end and that's it. In this tale of modern day science/scholarship meets medieval times one is exposed to a lot of information. The story proceeds at a fast past with twists and turns at every chapter. But once the exciting stuff ends, the story is over. Yes, there is that thing at the end, but it really does not explain anything, its just a sweet way to end the book. While I am not expecting Crichton to have a nice tidy wrap up at the end, I would prefer that possible problems not be brushed aside. It would seem that all the things that occur in this book would cause some major time paradoxes, but Crichton basically ignores that issue. He brushes time paradoxes aside by saying that they just can't happen. But why not? It just seemed like an easy way to ignore the issue. But I guess not having the characters worrying about how every action might affect the course of history all the time was a way to make the story more interesting and give the characters more freedom. In the book, you get good action sections alongside typical Crichton teaching passages. He goes into lecture mode when anything scientific or historical comes up. While it helps understand the situation, it makes one feel that one should be taking notes and that Crichton is just repeating the basic explaination he got from some professor somewhere. But the book is still good. A good weekend read or at the beach book.
Rating: 
Summary: Another exciting Chrichton novel
Review: Timeline is a terrific book. Chrichton does a great job of teaching us all about time-travel and life in the 15th century. This book is exciting from the beginning and hard to put down. I think it ranks among Chrictons best novels, Jurassic Park and Lost World. Highly recomended
Rating:
Summary: Unputdownable
Review: Another great book by Mr. Crichton. It takes a while to get going , but once you reach page 40 or so, you simply cannot put it down. I have always been a fan of Mr. Creichton. Read it only if you want to stay up all night
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