Rating: 
Summary: A Little Off Track
Review: I was excited to finally see a new book from Michael Crichton hit the shelves last Thanksgiving. I just got to it now, and unfortunatly, it wasn't what I was expecting. Yes there is the usual info, and the suspense, but something is missing from Timeline. It seems to follow the same formula of all action/suspense/thriller novels in which the good guys avoid every possible danger that would lead to their death, and the villians trip the wrong way and meet their demise. From Chris escaping death of "skilled" knights numerous times, to Kate flying off beams high atop a castle, it just isn't realistic. Although I must say that Andre Marek is one of the most interesting charcters I have met in a Crichton novel in a long time, which is saying a lot since character description is not his high point. A mixed review; not good, but not bad either.
Rating: 
Summary: An Example of The Decline of Modern Fiction
Review: Timeline was, by far, one of the worst books I have ever had the displeasure to read. Crichton put his one dimensional characters into strings of impossible conflicts, one laughably close to the other, which they extricated themselves from with the luck of heroes from children's cartoons. Consider, trained soldiers can only brush them with their arrows, yet when the female character Kate picks up a bow after only being trained a bit by another character, Marek, she kills with ease. In general, the writing style seemes hurried (ex. page 320, last paragraph), as if the author was tripping over himself to complete the book, not wanting to spend time on any serious description. Timeline was, however, worth one star. The Multiverse Theory is a compelling issue that, in terms of quantum computing, will have profound real-world effects on our future lives. It cannot be argued that Crichton tackles interesting ideas, but the way he goes about it would be best served between the front and back covers of young adult books.
Rating:
Summary: Comic Book
Review: Anyone who has read Connie Willis' excellent "The Doomsday Book" will recognize it in Crichton's cartoonish comic book rendition of this Middle Age time travel story. It's simply "Jurassic Park" in a castle. Delete "raptor" and insert "Knight". Same story, same characters, same sacrifice of historical accuracy for the sake of thrills.
Rating:
Summary: Timeline: Too Much
Review: Michael Crichton writes, I read. But this one was a frustrated effort. The action is perfect for a film. However, the main characters were - at every turn - losing each other. It was too much, too often. It will make a great action film, but in text was frustrating to read. I kept thinking, "Good GRIEF, not again!" I finished the book ONLY because I am compulsive, if not, I would have put it down halfway through.
Rating: 
Summary: The master of the uncertain future
Review: Crichton does what he does best in his books - leaping over the fence of uncertainty and using it to take us beyond our wildest dreams. His use of modern science , combined with the most extreme implications of this revealing world of physics is truly overwhelming.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely Bubblegum For the Mind
Review: A read for traveling or the beach...when it isn't important to follow exactly what is happening. The premise for the novel is good, interesting, and maybe even plausible. However, characters and even subplots were not developed as fully nor as interestingly as they could have been. Read and think, for example, about the opening scenes in the desert and the hospital...the "map," on the old man, the good and eager young cop, the earnest and hard-working native-American female doctor, their romantic interest. All pop up somewhat later, but never really take a part in the plot other than to take up printed space. Too much written, too quickly and as others have pointed out, this novel will probably make a good movie. I rented a library copy rather than waste my money!
Rating:
Summary: AN OLD THEME FLOGGED TO DEATH!
Review: I have read nearly all of Michael Crichton's books & like the rest of the world ,found his 'Jurassic Park' & 'The Lost World'incredibly fascinating ... that is why I picked up 'Timeline'with the eager anticipation of a great read ... But u know what I found? That unlike the originality & captivating themes of his previous books ,'Timeline'deals with a theme that has been dealt with by sci-fi authors over & over & over again...that of a team of scientists travelling back into the past & going through the same stuff that all people who suddenly are faced with a 'blast to the past 'do ---fight for survival with all primitive weapons{ note---successfully!} & just when they are finally cornered ,VOILA! press the button & transport home is right there! The only claim to originality that this book has is that instead of dealing with directly going into the past of the same universe as usually happens ,this time they actually travel to an earlier time of an alternate universe ...for the rest ,you are left with the same old tales of knights & castles & a beautiful damsel --- who instead of only seeming to be in distress also seems to be causing most of the distress --- & a modern-day threesome who would put Houdini to shame the way no cell /room can hold them... & here & there ,just to remind u to throwup,you are also fed with gruesome tales of how previous misfortunates met their end! If you are a total fan of Michael Crichton's irrespective of what he writes ,then I will say that inspite of the ancient theme ,'Timeline'does make a passably good read ... but if you are expecting something exotic & different on the lines of 'Congo ,Jurassic Park etc',well then you'd better pass it on ...it would be a total disappointment!
Rating: 
Summary: The wish to be entertained
Review: First of all: This book is an action movie in print. The characters are flat and undeveloped, and the turn of events strictly follows the logic of suspense and surprise. "Saved in the last second" is one of the favorite artistic devices of the author. Secondly: I have read the book in one go. It takes just a few hours, and the book is almost impossible to put down. That is an achievement in itself. One star. Thirdly: Crichton is fascinated by technology for its own sake. He is not very interested in the way it impacts people's feelings, their view of the world, their values, or their social relations. However, he brings to life the ideas of quantum theory and the technology behind medieval warfare. One more star. Finally: The book proves one particular point in a clever way. As one of the characters in the book claims, the driving force behind the business of "time tourism" is the realization that "in other centuries, human beings wanted to be saved, or improved, or freed, or educated. But in our century, they want to be entertained ... This is the intellectual reality of Western Society at the end of the century." Of course, I said, this is not true for me. Pure entertainment - not me! But let's face it: I have spent hours reading a book only because of its entertainment value, and I have been easily tricked into proving Mr. Crichton's point. I am impressed. Third star.
Rating: 
Summary: Michael Chrichton is finally back!
Review: Having read all of the previous Michael Chrichton books and loved every single one of them, I was especially excited to pick this one up. After Airframe I was a little disappointed that Chrichton had lost that special touch that makes his books really different from everyone else, but he has rekindled the spark here in Timeline. If you enjoy reading Sci-Fi or Fantasy reading, then you will throoughly enjoy this practical look at the genre. Even if you don't, then you will be able to enjoy this book because Chrichton brings reality to an unreal world in Timeline. A group of archeologists are exploring an archeological dig and make the discory of a lifetime. Find out what happens when a high-tech firm that owns the site has other plans for it that the archeologists had no idea about, and what they are in store for, is the time of their life, literally!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Time Line is a great book because it is hard to put down. It has a mix of science and the Middle Ages. I bought the small print at Barns & Nobles. I am twelve years old and I read it in a week and one half, and I enjoyed this book very much. The science in it was a little hard to understand but it was interesting. I would not suggest reading this book if you expect it to be factual. But if you are going to read it because you think you are going to like it then I suggest that you get the book and read it.
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