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Summary: A great reading: be prepared for full emotions!
Review: When it comes to books, I always give a second try. I give another "chance" to the authors I didn't like when I read the first time. That's the case of Michael Crichton. After watching lots of wonderful movies based on his screeplays and books, I tried to read "AIRFRAME". What a disaster! Didn't like the book. But then time passed and TIMELINE came. So I thought: the subject (time travel) is cool, the plot seem interesting, then why not try to read it? I bought it and started reading it the same night. When I glanced at my wristwatch, it was midnight, I had read more than 120 pages and didn't want to go to sleep! Even being a little complicated sometimes (not the plot itself, but the explanations he gives for the things that happen, too tecnical) the book is a wonderful entertainment and make you wish for much more. The characters are well developed, the plot is very well-written and you soon find out that Michael Crichton isn't probably the best author out there, but he certainly has something good to offer. That's why it makes TIMELINE a great reading. Buy it, start reading, and be prepared to be hooked by this wonderful story! Marco Aurelio.
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Summary: Truely a great book
Review: This is only the second book written by Crichton that I have read and it was the best so far. As a recreational medievalist I found the idea of going back to medieval France great. Crichton did a wonderful job of explain quantum theory and the related science. I was also happy to see that he did research the time period he was writing about and did justice to history as well as science. I would recommend this book to all my reading friends, medievalist, scientist, or anyone hust looking to read a great book.
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Summary: An intelligent form of transportation...
Review: All I can say is...WOW! If you are looking for a book which both engages your mind and draws you into a well written story...this is it! While a combination of quantum physics time travel and detailed descriptions of life in Medieval France may initially seem a bit odd, the fact that this book is incredibly well researched makes the story absolutely fascinating. Truly I have not enjoyed a book this much in a great while. Pack your brain, curl up in a comfy chair, and get ready to travel!
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Summary: Not even sci fi
Review: Crichton, whom I've always admired as a writer for his attention to detail, goes far afield in this novel. The postulate of parallel universes is npt new and the thought of visiting one has interested quantum physicist. The asynchronous time aspect is a nice twist. The story is OK. Crichton didn't hurt himself doing too much research on France circa 1000, but the ending is unbelievable. Answer one question if someone dies in an alternate universe can you visit his grave in your universe? Obviously, Crichton is mixing his quantum states which any physicists will tell you cannot be done safely. He really could have done better. He did a far more credible job stretching science in Jurasic Park then here. It wasn't worth the effort
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Summary: Reading in the Dark
Review: This book is entertaining, simple and well structured. Chrichton is a man of few words...which helps when you read the book on a pocket pc.
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Summary: A Book Doctor's Take
Review: Timeline is a well-written, highly suspenseful, action-orientedscience thriller. The plot is well thought out and tightly woven, andthe scientific premise is fascinating and extremely well-researched. The presentation of detail, both scientific and historical is expertly done. The technological innovation of the time travel (alternative universes through quantum foam) is unique and convincing. What makes it work for me is the grand scale of it all. Crichton sets up big stakes. The person travelling is vaporized by lasers, then "faxed" through tiny wormholes into another potential universe of which there are an infinite number. The author shows us a big underground complex, fabulous cyclotron-scale machinery and a compelling demonstration of the technology. This is big science involving huge risks; it is grand in scope and the details seem right. We want to suspend disbelief for time travel because time travel has reached a mythological status in our society. Who wouldn't want to travel back in time? It's a secret fantasy for many of us. Note: this was also true for Jurassic Park. We wanted to believe that it was possible to bring dinosaurs back to life, out of extinction. Dinosaurs are grand and fantastical; anyone would want to see one. Our desire to have it be true is part of why we go along with the leaps of technology in Jurassic Park. The same is true in Timeline. In addition to the science being appropriate, Crichton's historical context feels real. The Medieval characters speak and act in a way which while not expected, feels right on the mark. I am not an expert in the French Middle Ages, but sense authenticity in this book. Also, I couldn't put this book down. The chapter breaks were predominately cliff-hangers and the pacing was fast and furious. Crichton sets up a "ticking clock" time table and puts it out front where all can see, and where we can worry about it. It's a tried and true tactic and it works very well here. And lastly, the thematic elements are strong, convincing and arise neatly out of the story without being dictated to the reader. I draw attention to this here because the successful handling of theme is something which cannot be accomplished without adequate handling of plot and character. And even so, it is not an easy thing to do well. It is done well here. Nevertheless, with all that said, I believe that Timeline could be improved. First of all, there are too many characters. While Crichton does a fair job of keeping track of them all, with so many major characters, the reader doesn't have time to become emotionally involved in any of them. The major protagonists are Marek, Chris, and Kate. Professor Johnstone and Stern are minor protagonists. The major antagonist is Doniger (in the present), but there are a series of characters in the past who provide the main threat (Sir Guy Malegant, De Kere, Oliver). The book would benefit from trimming one or two of the protagonists, or pushing one of them into the role of a minor character. The most memorable protagonist is Marek. He is unique, likeable, and he always acts up to his potential (which is considerable). Marek has all the ingredients of a perfect thriller protagonist. As a book doctor, I would suggest making Marek the primary protagonist and diminishing the role of Chris or Kate. Chris was my least favorite character, mainly because he is so ordinary. Therefore, I wouldn't mind seeing his role lessened. Kate was nicely drawn and would make a good alternative main protagonist. These suggestions, as always, are merely that; the role of a good book doctor is to analyze and suggest, then let the writer do whatever he or she feels is right for the book. I believe that focusing on Marek would of necessity expand his character. It would put him "on stage" more, and we would get a better insight into him. We would get more emotionally involved in his dilemma. We could see more character growth this way, and there would be a defined character arc which is lacking in the book (with the exception of Chris's character). More on character arc below. Another problem I had with this book was the intense action all the way through. Intense action is great, and here it is handled well. However, the pace never lessens. There is no sense of rhythm, no time to catch your breath. The action scenes lose their power when put between two equally intense scenes because we have grown insensitive by overexposure. Also, many of the scenes are rushed. The setting details are often brushed over so that the pacing isn't slowed. I found much of the detail which Crichton did include fascinating; it enriched the story for me. Including more setting in certain, carefully-chosen scenes would serve to slow the pacing a bit too. This would enhance the experience of the story. If I had worked on this manuscript, I would have suggested that the author examine the scenes one by one to look at pacing. Character development and setting are two things which slow the pace, and this novel could use a bit more of both. With that said, however, I have to say that overall, Timeline is an excellent thriller. It has an unparalleled premise, innovative and carried-off brilliantly. The author has gone to great trouble to insure the verisimilitude of his setting, characters and dialogue. The book has all the ingredients of a blockbuster: high stakes, nail-biting suspense and fast-paced action. With a few minor adjustments - trimming the number of major characters and the strengthening those who remain, fixing the glaring coincidence which strands the heroes in the past, and tweaking the pacing - this book could be flawless. Even so, I look forward to Crichton's next novel with anticipation....
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Summary: I missed three episodes of "Survivor", but it was worth it
Review: I have actually never seen the show, but isn't that a great opening line? Anyway, this book is written in a similar fashion as the other "outdoor thrillers" as I like to call them, such as Jurassic Park and The Lost World. However, the amazing descriptions of the land that you are transported to are unlike anything I have ever read. Ignore the person who says that it has the same plot as the others (a madman making a theme park) because I didn't find it to be stressed as much as in the JP books. This book is worth buying because of it's a new idea and a great and exciting story from The Man.
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Summary: Hopes Dashed
Review: In the beginning... I thought Mr. Crichton was back on track, writing a real novel after some past silliness of the Jurassic variety. The deserted desert opener is appropriately creepy, the history is fascinating, the physics piques my curiosity, the tech stuff is plausible and even the characters are believable. But then... disappointment sets in, page by page, as I realize this is just another movie script loosely disguised as a bestseller. The action scenes, the improbably slow passage of time with more happening in a half hour than could possibly happen, etc. and yet, I read on to the end, turning pages, curious about the outcome, glad on the whole that Crichton takes the trouble to entertain us in any format. I'll recommend it, but with a mild warning about the need to suspend one's disbelief.
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Summary: The Timeline
Review: While I found it slow to start, it took off and flew, it kept me extremely interested. I listen on my one hour commute to work and it was hard to turn it off and go to work. I loved this book.
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Summary: Actually, It's One of His Best
Review: God knows this book already has enough reviews, but since it has an abundant number of negative reviews (and indeed, the first one visible one the page), I have decided to put my 2 cents in. Well, simply put: (and coming from a reader who has been through all of Crichton's non-fiction books but one) it's one of his best. The only ones that i think surpass it are JP and Disclosure. And if you were one who liked Jurassic Park (and who didn't?) then this is right up your alley. It is a thrill-a-minute ride of suspense, but without leaving out complex science issues, indeed, there may be more here than in any of Crichton's other books. The issues of quantum physics and quantum teleportation raised in this book are very interesting and thought-provoking, and it actually serves to make time travel seem possible. For these reasons, and many others, it is a must read.
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