Timeline by Michael Crichton Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $0.83 You Save: $7.16 (90%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Timeline
Book Review: A disappointment...
Summary: 1 Stars
I anxiously await each Michael Crichton book. With the exception of Congo, I have enjoyed his books tremendously and was expecting a great read in Timeline. Rather, I found a story line that never approached even the remotest possibility of being plausible. Then when the unfortunate four characters are transported into the past, they encounter an incredible number of life threatening skirmishes. The first battle was interesting enough I suppose. Same with the third and maybe even the fifth or sixth. But when you got to the twelfth or fifteen life threatening skirmish, you begin to think that maybe this was more a script for a computer game than a novel. In a little over 37 hours, they are stabbed, shot with arrows, sliced with swords and encounter every imagine obstacle. These people are either supper human or incredibly lucky.Book Review: A familiar successful formula
Summary: 4 Stars
Michael Crichton uses a similar formula to tell his tale in Timeline as he used in Jurassic Park. He fabricates a quasi-believeable scientific breakthrough to create an almost realistic adventure. In Jurassic Park, he uses the utterly brilliant concept of using DNA gleaned from insects trapped in prehistoric amber to replicate dinosaurs. The concept used in Timeline is slightly less remarkable. Quantum theory is used by a high tech corporation as the basis for time transportation. Characters in the book are sent back to the Dordogne river valley in France in the Middle Ages to rescue a colleague that has become trapped there. The story shifts back and forth from the boardroom of the huge corporation to the midst of The Hundred Years War in 1347. I found that I was more involved with the action taking place in the feudal Middle Ages, which was far less predictable than the present day. Although Crichton did an adequate job in describing the Middle Age setting, I definitely craved more of that. All in all, I kept on turning those pages but there were times that I longed to be lost in the past, as the characters were, rather than muddling through the present.
Book Review: A fantastic mix of time-travel technology and adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
If you love technology and how it impacts our world and you love adventure and history... holy buddah, is this book for you!I started it and couldn't put it down! I don't finish many books because I lose interest so quickly - but this one is a must.
I also like the books by Larry Bond and Vince Flynn.
Book Review: A favorite read
Summary: 4 Stars
I have read several of the reader-reviews and found them enlightening and amusing (I mean that as a compliment). Crichton COULD have improved on character development and he COULD have made certain aspects of the story more believable. To be honest, I have read the book a few times and missed the part about Doniger's ultimate goal being the ultimate amusement park. I guess I was thinking that was just a by-product of his research and discoveries. Doy.
Anyway, not being a huge sci-fi or sci fan, even I found myself wondering how their clothes made the trip since they didn't have them on when their body molecules were being recorded. The reader questioning how the cages were able to travel was a good point and the part about them drifting?? That was pretty goofy. However, having said all that, this is one of my favorite books and I will come back to it again and again when I need a fun read. Just an aside, I ADORE medieval history. I've heard the movie is horrid but now that I know one was made, I will seek it out, as well.
Book Review: A fun trip!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Although it doesn't have as well of a plot and suspense as some of his other books, It is a fast-paced and enjoyable read. If you are willing and able to overlook a couple of plot holes and extaordinary character luck, Crichton will take you back to a world where knight ruled the land, women seduced their way into power, and your neighbor was plotting to overthrow you. A fun and worthwhile read. 3 1/2 stars.