I've not read any Crichton books, but it was recently that I discovered what an intelligent man he is. I highly recommend watching his presentation (a little dull, but really interesting) on global warming.

Part 1
Andrew | Homepage | 02.12.07 - 5:42 am | #

Andromeda Strain was the first grown-up novel I read, back as a young teenager. My son is now reading it. I believe it was the TV movie that got me into it.

Have you tried Timeline? Apparently the movie is not worth the time, but the book was good. Crichton has the gift of making the impossible seem scientifically plausible.
Patrick Kinsale | 02.12.07 - 10:46 am | #

I am a fan of Crichton's novels and am amazed at all of the research that he does for his novels. I recently finished Next and didn't find it to be horrible. I agree that the plot is pretty bland but think he brings up some very good points about the biotech industry and its research focus as well as how the government is handing out patents for genes left and right. Working in the industry(hint: the company I work for was mentioned a couple of times in the book) I thought that it was a good critique of the industry.
Colorado Catholic | 02.12.07 - 2:04 pm | #

I was fascinated by Crichton's storytelling ability as a teenager with Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park. In particular, the movie made in '71 of Andromeda Strain is classic - very well done (though it does look its age now, with the "Star Trek TOS" style of computers :)

However... I lost my taste for Crichton over the years, his other books are that good or clever, and when I read his autobiographical account of the "Five Patients" where (if I recall, its been a few years) he talks extensively of abortion in a positive light as a medical professional... At the time I read it, I was a "medico" myself (EMT) and didn't really consider myself anti-abortion, but I was uncomfortable with his story of abortion rights even then.
Roamin' Roman | Homepage | 02.12.07 - 3:03 pm | #

I personally enjoyed Next, and State of Fear as well, although I disagreed more with his perspective in the latest book. The novel prior to State of Fear, though, (it was about nanotechnology... I can't recall the name) was a disappointment.

And I do have to admit: much of Next was also disappointing, from a literary perspective... very little coherence or unity in the plot, imho. But I enjoyed it for the most part nonetheless.
Chris Burgwald | Homepage | 02.13.07 - 12:35 am | #

I"m a big Crichton fan. But I missed the last few books. I didn't care to much for Airframe. Thanks for the heads up on his new book.
Paul Catalanotto | Homepage | 02.20.07 - 10:20 pm | #