State of Fear by Michael Crichton Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of State of Fear
Book Review: Don't listen to the koolaid drinkers
Summary: 5 Stars
Michael Crichton did a Q&A on C-Span regarding State of Fear. His recommendation to the scientific community was, for one thing, much-needed oversight, namely of the bullying by those who fund it. He urged the seperation of research funding into three groups of researchers: one, the group funded by pro-global-warming; the second, a watchdog group, looking to refute any politicizing of the firsts results; and a third, neutral group. He also suggested public debate between these groups. The new hollywood/limousine liberal bourgeoise does not pour billions of dollars into scientific research to prove global warming, only to be told "Antarctica is getting colder", "The earth has been warming up for the last 6,000 years, and has only recently started cooling", "Glaciers are expanding". Make no misatake about it, they bought the cart before the horse when they made all their passionate speeches about the decadent west and global warming, and they'll be damned if they're not gonna get some use out of it! Comparing "Global warming deniers" to Holocaust-deniers is meant to excite emotion and close the doors on debate on an issue that absolutely begs debate.
I think Michael Crichton has done a great job in this book of giving his characters dimension, without gutting them, and making them into sounding boards for his views on global warming. Just ask yourself this, you'll swallow all of Al Gore's tripe in An Inconvenient Truth- Al Gore, that great scientist- but you don't trust Michael Crichton's science at all? I think the man's earned our respect as an impartial man of science. Read this book: it's eye-opening.
Book Review: Eco-terrorism and global warming
Summary: 4 Stars
Peter Evans is a junior attorney with a lot of clients in the environmental movement. The most important is a wealthy old philanthropist who is a major funder for NERF, an organization run by the unsavory Nick Drake, who is about to announce a lawsuit against the EPA on behalf of the (fictional) island nation of Vanutu because global warming (presumably caused primarily by the activities of the United States) is causing rising sea levels which will flood the islands. Evans joins several others in trying to thwart secret environmental terrorism efforts by NERF and learns that much of the hype of global warming is baseless and manipulative. The action is fast-paced and similar to "Timeline" and "The Da Vinci Code" in that respect.
The book is highly critical of the environmental movement and the idea of global warming, and heavily backed up with research, graphs, facts, and footnotes (all real ones this time, unlike "Eaters of the Dead"). In reading a bit further on the subject you find that not all his facts are indisputable, but nonetheless, it's well researched and documented. He also includes some info at the end of the book on his opinions and a very lengthy reading list of sources. As it is presented his logic is very persuasive, although the debates in the story about the merits of global warming are often conducted between knowledgable people and complete idiots and as such are a bit one-sided. Also, the caricature of Nick Drake is pretty extreme in it's unlikeableness. But overall, an enjoyable and informative book that has inspired me to research the subject further to better understand this important subject.
Book Review: Encouraged me to watch Gore's movie...
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book not knowing the controversy behind it. Then, when invited to watch Al Gore's movie, I was able to see how he was deceiving the public with his charts. This has pushed me to do my own research on global warming outside of book fiction and Gore's "documentary."
The book may seem preachy at times, but very entertaining. If you're a firm believer that we are the only cause of global warming, don't bother reading it. You'll only curse any studies or points made in the book. If you're not a radical and want a good read, I highly recommend it.
Book Review: Enjoyed the book
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm sure the environmental movement isn't going to like this book since it paints them in a negative light, however I enjoyed it. Sure it's fiction, but it's fiction with a plausible bent. Crichton weaves a story that keeps you interested right to the end. Much of the science is well researched and accurate, including the mining methodology that is the basis for the terrorists attempt to create a tsunami. Like all of Crichton's books, it is well written and engaging. If you're not a wackjob environmentalist, you will like it.Book Review: Entertaining AND Educational
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book! It was packed full of action, which kept me entertained, but there was also a lot of information about global warming and climate change. Like many other Michael Chrichton books, this one made me think about issues in new ways and from different perspectives. I especially appreciated his research notes in the back of the book.