Rating: 
Summary: Living Worse Through Bad Science
Review: I admit to being a Michael Crichton devotee, even down to locating, purchasing and reading all of the bad thrillers he wrote as "John Lange", so there's not much he could do to disappoint me. Just so you know where I'm coming from. Crichton offers us here another example of his "Living Worse Through Bad Science" chronicles, each of which shows how, through the judicious bending of physical laws and accepted fact, things can blow up in our collective faces, or at least the faces of an intrepid band of unfortunate travelers (or and intrepid loner with powerful, if anonymous, friends, as the case may be). "Timeline" is an engaging thriller that offers not much of value to the Crichton oeuvre, but will give you at least one sleepless night as you race with the time travelers to the conclusion. I read the book in a single evening, so my single bone of contention here is that the book was money wasted. I can spend nine bucks to see a three hour movie, or $23 to read this novel in three hours; I'd rather Crichton beefed up his novels a tad and stretched my entertainment dollar for me. The plot isn't too demanding; a group of grad students is sent to a parallel universe, only further back in time, to rescue a missing historian. There are complications, bad guys, and a tight schedule with which to contend, and along the way Crichton regales us with facts he has gleaned from a library of books, the bibliography for which he has thoughtfully provided in the back. I am always grateful to read the distillation of someone else's education; it saves me having to read all those tedious books myself. If you like Crichton's formula, you'll like this book. If "Jurassic Park" annoyed you, you'll be annoyed here, too. Happy reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling and Exciting
Review: Crichton writes a wonderfully exciting book that allows the reader to use his/her imagination. This is a page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Crichton's Best Book
Review: I could not put "Timeline" down. Crichton makes you think about the theories of time-space and time travel and turns them into a wonderful piece of literature. I look forward to if and/or when this becomes a movie. I just hope the writers are true to the book, not like "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World."
Rating:
Summary: Why the 'disappointment'?
Review: I feel positively Medieval. I didn't "download this book onto my Pocket PC". I read it the old fashioned way, on audiocassette. I can't help but be confused by all the reviewers who were "disappointed" by this book. It reminds me of the story of the man who picked up a rattlesnake and was surprised when it bit him. After all, his is a book by Michael Crichton, the king of the formulaic thriller. Take some good guys, some bad guys some greedy guys and some altruistic guys, throw them into a dangerous, otherworldly setting and see what happens. If you don't like the way he writes, don't pick it up! You read it to be entertained and, in that regard, 'Timeline' succeeds admirably. If you want something more scholarly, read Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror", (which Crichton relied on heavily for period info). It's almost as thrilling, lots more informative and it's not even fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Hearing the Magic
Review: I listened to the tapes only as I was driving the car. Hours spent in traffic melted and I found that I arrived at my destinations too soon. At times I said, "Oh no! Oh no!" This is adventure! Michael Crichton is a scientist and a storyteller. Not everyone will grasp the science of the possibilities of quantum physics, time travel or parallel universes called multi-verses, but it is not required. I enjoyed the mental challenge, and began to second guess the probabilities, but all one has to do to enjoy the book is simply suspend disbelief and get involved with characters who are comprised of a variety of people who are egocentric, devilishly cruel, intriguing as they find strength within themselves they didn't know they had, and charming. How do you find a missing colleague who inserted a message for help in a 600 year old document, keep your head on (literally), and get home? Imagine being transported to a ancient world that is as real to you as a telephone only to find that the world is as you imagined, but very different and laden with more pitfalls than you thought. And then...the transport device that took you into the past is gone. The intellectual discussions about the valorous knights and battles (1357 Dordogne in South France) fade as the reality of being in this world kills and threatens those who enter. Crichton's events are based in historical information. The beginning of the story is hard to follow because there are many characters that are introduced with their own story lines, but they do fold together the way a medieval tapestry does--with a lot of details. Well researched details. This story makes you remember that you should always beware of what you ask for, you might get it. I thoroughly enjoyed the tapes. This was the first time I listened to books on tape, and now I'm afraid that none of the others will be as good.
Rating:
Summary: alright, at least has a story
Review: I like this a little although has some very choppy lines
Rating: 
Summary: Crichton Took a Day Off!
Review: What I look forward to in a Crichton novel is his ability to make the unimaginable seem real, and his ability to create three dimensional charecters that are ready to step off the page. That didn't happen here. It seemed to me that he simply put together a product for the year 2000. The second star is for the research, not for the plot. It was predictable, even as to who would stay behind. Usally I have to force my self to but down a Crichton novel, with this one I had force my self to finish.
Rating:
Summary: This book made me cry !
Review: I feel Crichton wrote the best book ever. i recommend it to any crichton fan ! The ending was amazing and i am totally in awe of his writing. I've read all his books and this was the diamond of them all. beautiful book !
Rating:
Summary: whoa.....
Review: pretty dang good. read it...
Rating:
Summary: A Knight to Remember
Review: Having taught Medieval history, I am well aware how infrequently the era is addressed in popular culture. In spite of the cult of Creative Anachronism who recreate this era, few people seldom get it right. It is obvious that Crichton has done his research well. His tale is fascinating and accurate. It has high adventure and great suspense. It is not a classic by any means but it is a highly enjoyable read. It is further amazing that Crichton combines high technology and science with Medieval lore and culture. It is a highly appealing mix and he handles them both very well. This is a perfect light read for anyone who wants to take themselves into another world. My only criticism of it is that it seems to be written towards a screenplay format...so the movie shouldn't be far behind. It would have been nice if it had more of a literary feel. But that is a minor complaint. Mount your steed and charge into this book with abandon. You won't be sorry.
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