Helpful Score: 8
Great page-turner! Crichton makes the medieval world come alive, while explaining science and technology in a very interesting way. A group of historians are able to travel back in time, and end up fighting for their lives. It held my attention completely.
Helpful Score: 8
Leave it to Michael Crichton to combine plausible quantum physics and medieval history into a page-turning tale of adventure. The reader finds him/herself with one foot in the New Mexico desert of the 20th century and another in southwestern France of the 14th--and without any of the 'disorientation' one would feel at the hands of a less competent author. A rousing good read, even if the characters are a little too 'typecast' and the science just a twinge 'suspect'.
Helpful Score: 7
great book. bad movie. well explained theories that even me, a person who hates and is bad at math, understood clearly. good story that really draws you in. you feel for the characters. Crichton's usual good stuff!
Helpful Score: 3
If you like Time travel books then you will love this book. Very well written and quite exciting to read. If you saw the movie it did not do this book justice. The book was much more detailed.
Kristina B. (familiagarduno) reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 164 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book was a great read and a surprise delight! I couldn't believe how well Crichton wound together modern society and historical times. This one will make you think about the effects of the past on our future...and made me wonder that if all this happened, then it must have happened then too or we wouldn't be where we were in the book to begin with!! Hard to wrap around your head? Read the book, you'll get it, I promise!
Helpful Score: 2
well, i can say one thing for Crichton: he's consistent. i don't think i've read a book of his that wasn't at least entertaining. this is one of his minorly entertaining books. i think this is because the science of time travel is not so interesting, and takes a backdoor to the medieval research. it was a decent book, with some good characters, but not one i'd want to read again.
Helpful Score: 2
The book moved along at a good pace. I feel that time travel books in general can have an element of confusion. This book seems to be clearer than most.
Helpful Score: 2
An exilerating tale that will take you through time, with an experiment so chilling and so full of rich detail as only Michael Crichton can do. A fun read for all to enjoy; have fun
Helpful Score: 2
As with all Crichton books, much, much better than the movie. Great science mixed with adventure. Couldn't put it down. Was done with it in two nights. Great. Must read for a Crichton fan.
Helpful Score: 2
Can we go back in time? Maybe. Michael Crichton gives us a way back that could work and what happens if something goes wrong. He also shows that we do not know what the past is really like. We can not just think that the people then would act like we do now. The story moves along at an even pace until the end. Then it speeds up as the clock is ticking down. Will they get back in time? Will the machine hold up? Only time will tell.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is an excellent book! I couldn't put it down. A riveting story of time travel that wraps up wonderfully.
Helpful Score: 1
Oh, my gosh, I couldn't put this one down.
Helpful Score: 1
Breakneck pacing marks this time-travel fantasy based on cutting edge quantum physics, as the heroes try to return a comrade to their own time while staying alive in the shifting and bloody politics of the Hundred Years War.
Helpful Score: 1
Quantum physics and medieval history in one story. An action packed story-line. The movie was awful, but the book is much more enjoyable. Time travel, romance, adventure. A New York Times Best Seller!
Helpful Score: 1
Great book! I am not a big fan of time travel but this was so well done!
Christina T. (ctinatomlinson) reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not the typical book I would usually read, but WOW! I couldn't put it down. Loved the action!
Helpful Score: 1
I didn't think I would like a time travel book, but I was so wrong. This is a great book. Michael Crichton has a way of putting the reading right in the middle of the story.
This is one that I'll keep in my library to reread later.
This is one that I'll keep in my library to reread later.
Helpful Score: 1
Crichton blends quantum physics and medieval history in this adventure story about three grad students who find themselves knee deep in the Middle Ages.
Entertaining, it does drag in spots. The events of the "present" storyline, while vital to the plot at hand, are not nearly as engaging as the jousts and bloodshed happening in Castlegard, three hundred some years ago.
Entertaining, it does drag in spots. The events of the "present" storyline, while vital to the plot at hand, are not nearly as engaging as the jousts and bloodshed happening in Castlegard, three hundred some years ago.
Helpful Score: 1
Michael is at it again. He brings us a new novel of the advanceing computer age. Its a must read.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a fun book. Like all Chriton books, its spell binding and hard to put down. You learn a lot about whatever the subject is. The movie is not so good.
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely could not put this book down. I loved the setting, medieval France. Even if you don't like time travel you'll love this one. Don't waste your time on the movie though.
Helpful Score: 1
Crichton does it again. He takes us from "something isn't quite right" to downright science fiction and makes it almost believable. From cutting edge science to knights and damsels in distress, he grabs your attention right away with a mysterious wanderer in the AZ desert and then quickly to an archeology dig in Britain. A movie was made of this book a few years ago. A very good read.
Helpful Score: 1
Very, very interesting. I liked it.
Helpful Score: 1
Good story in that this is not your typical, everyone goes back in time little happy go lucky fantasy. I never really put much thought into just how kill or be killed the medieval times were. I definitely have a new outlook on knights! The story is not for the squeamish, so if you didn't make it through Jurasic Park, I would not recommend reading this, either.
Michael Crichton, as always, researches his subjects even when writing fiction so he can't help but teach you a few things along the way. I can't say that I actually understad quantum physics, but I can at least follow along when someone else talks about it.
Michael Crichton, as always, researches his subjects even when writing fiction so he can't help but teach you a few things along the way. I can't say that I actually understad quantum physics, but I can at least follow along when someone else talks about it.
Helpful Score: 1
Very exciting read. Group of scientists are sent back to medevil France to save one of their friends. Much better than the Paul Walker movie.
Helpful Score: 1
New York Times Best Seller. Crichton has done it again.
Mysterious appearances in the Arizona desert. Mysterious disappearances in rural France. Futuristic technology that leads straight to the past, or does it?
Mysterious appearances in the Arizona desert. Mysterious disappearances in rural France. Futuristic technology that leads straight to the past, or does it?
Helpful Score: 1
I loved it. It really made you feel as though you were back on the middle ages
Helpful Score: 1
A very good book. Much better than the movie. Very good read.
Helpful Score: 1
Crichton with another good suspense story-- and it will keep you in suspense, through and including a well-deserved twist at the end. The premise is time travel and a great many unintended consequences; and in the meantime, a refresher course into medieval English history as well. Well written, quickly paced, a fun read!
Helpful Score: 1
Curl up with this book and enjoy not only science fiction but also historical fiction. A nice break from space ships and the like. The parts that are imaginative science are clearly so, and the parts that are nifty science bits from the past (such as how gunpowder was made in the 1300's) add authenticity to the story. Suspend reality and enjoy a "what if we could" with this fast paced read.
The architecture of the period is pivotal to the rendering of the story. Thank goodness for a few illustrations along the way, otherwise the action may not have been visualized in a readers imagination anywhere near what the Author intended.
The architecture of the period is pivotal to the rendering of the story. Thank goodness for a few illustrations along the way, otherwise the action may not have been visualized in a readers imagination anywhere near what the Author intended.
Helpful Score: 1
One of Chrichton's best books by far, great for history buffs like me and for those of us who love the sci-fi in their literature.
Helpful Score: 1
My favorite Michael Crichton book; the movie was awful, the book is wonderful.
A fast-paced, well-researched novel that seems to continue the Crichton tradition of blending scientific content with a rousing action-adventure story.
Michael Crichton is a scientist and a storyteller. Not everyone will grasp the science of the possibilities of quantum physics, time travel or parallel universes called multi-verses, but it is not required.
I enjoyed the mental challenge, and began to second guess the probabilities, but all one has to do to enjoy the book is simply suspend disbelief and get involved with delightful characters who are comprised of a variety of people ranging from charming to egocentric, devilishly cruel, and intriguing as they find strength within themselves they didn't know they had facing an impossible challenge.
How do you find a missing colleague who inserted a message for help in a 600 year old document, keep your head on (literally), and get home? Imagine being transported to a ancient world that is as real to you as a telephone only to find that the world is as you imagined, but very different and laden with more pitfalls than you thought. And then the transport device that took you into the past is gone.
The intellectual discussions about the valorous knights and battles (1357 Dordogne in South France) fade as the reality of being in this world kills and threatens those who enter.
Crichton's events are based in historical information. All of his books have a solid foundation and are careful researched. Timeline is no exception. He researches the background thoroughly, in this case the Middle Ages and Quantum Theory. Proof of it is the extensive bibliography given at book's end.
Highly recommend!
A fast-paced, well-researched novel that seems to continue the Crichton tradition of blending scientific content with a rousing action-adventure story.
Michael Crichton is a scientist and a storyteller. Not everyone will grasp the science of the possibilities of quantum physics, time travel or parallel universes called multi-verses, but it is not required.
I enjoyed the mental challenge, and began to second guess the probabilities, but all one has to do to enjoy the book is simply suspend disbelief and get involved with delightful characters who are comprised of a variety of people ranging from charming to egocentric, devilishly cruel, and intriguing as they find strength within themselves they didn't know they had facing an impossible challenge.
How do you find a missing colleague who inserted a message for help in a 600 year old document, keep your head on (literally), and get home? Imagine being transported to a ancient world that is as real to you as a telephone only to find that the world is as you imagined, but very different and laden with more pitfalls than you thought. And then the transport device that took you into the past is gone.
The intellectual discussions about the valorous knights and battles (1357 Dordogne in South France) fade as the reality of being in this world kills and threatens those who enter.
Crichton's events are based in historical information. All of his books have a solid foundation and are careful researched. Timeline is no exception. He researches the background thoroughly, in this case the Middle Ages and Quantum Theory. Proof of it is the extensive bibliography given at book's end.
Highly recommend!
Crichton uses a great blend of science, factual posibilities and fantisy to give the reader a fast pased read.
DARRELL S. (darrellsnodgrass) reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 67 more book reviews
An excellent book. I love medievel history and this seemed accurate in some references to the past. Also the time traveling seemed so real.
Awesome! I really like the sci-fi that feels so real.
I didn't think I would like a "step back in time" type book, but I was so wrong. Michael Crichton did a wonderful job of describing the setting and the characters.
I've read it twice and would probably read it again.
I've read it twice and would probably read it again.
Part time travel and physics, part mystery, part Middle Ages fantasy. I've heard this book described as the "least unbelievable" time travel fiction published. There are some neat ties to real quantum physics that might make you wonder (for a second)
But the majority of the book is about a cast of modern day characters put back in a time of knights, castles, jousts, and seiges.
3 stars out of 5
But the majority of the book is about a cast of modern day characters put back in a time of knights, castles, jousts, and seiges.
3 stars out of 5
Timeline is a solid effort from Chrichton, so if you like his stuff, you will probably enjoy it. He works the time travel angle in a novel way, which is nice and it gives us a great excuse to learn lots of interesting things about the middle ages. The action feels a little "action-movie"-ish, its fast paced, shallow, and sometimes doesn't make that much sense. The characters are about two inches deep. I can complain too much, though. I read the book in three sittings and had a good time with it.
On a side note, the research that he did (or that assistants did) for this book must have been staggering in scale, even supposing that he made a lot of this stuff up.
On a side note, the research that he did (or that assistants did) for this book must have been staggering in scale, even supposing that he made a lot of this stuff up.
A real yarn. Lots of fun and one of Chrichton's best.
I am not a lover of "fantasy" books of any kind - but I really enjoyed this one. If you are the same way, this would be a good "starter" book into this kind of genre.
INteresting, intense. ...Crichton equals imagination
A dud book. Did not finish. Unpronancable names and places. Some kind of story of futuristic science meets the 14th century. Story seemed familiar but it wasn't in my read book list.
A classic Crichton adventure about time travel. It was good, but I've liked ther Crichton books better such as the Jurassic Park series better.
A book about time travel from the author who wrote Jurassic Park and Sphere.
This book is an interesting take on the possibility of time travel with quantum physics technology. Although the story-line tends to drag on at times, it is an incredibly imaginative story.
Perhaps I'm being a little harsh re: my rating, but his other books were better. In all fairness, I would give it 3 1/2 stars if that were an available option.
Super novel!!
As is true with all Crichton books -- wow! What an imagination this writer has. Well researched, well written.
I think this is one of Crichton's better lesser-known books. If you are the least bit interested in dark-ages history, this will be an interesting read for you. I really like it!
This book is MUCH better than the movie! Micheal Crichton is one of the best authors in the world, and this book is a credit to his legacy.
if you liked the movie you will love this book, so much more detail
Love back-in-time stories. This is a good one!
Time travel books aren't my favorite, but Crichton always spins a good yarn.
I loved this book! The movie in no way captures the details and scientific knowledge Crichton involves in the plot. I was fascinated with the plausibility of time travel and wrapped up in the lives of the characters. I even read sections of it aloud to my seventh graders, who also enjoyed it.
Now a major motion picture.. the precursor to The Da Vinci Code..
Great story, that was cleaned up tremendously and for the better when made into a film. Read this, and grab the movie too - fascinating comparitive study of the book-to-film process.
Really really good, accurate in the historical sense.
A well told story with elements of science, archeology, and physics. I enjoyed it more than I expected.
Awesome book. Too bad the movie blew so badly.
Loved this book! What a cool plot idea and a very satisfying conclusion:)
Awesome book!!! If you like time travel/medieval stories, this is it!
Fascinating. The movie version was awful and very different from the the book.
This was a worthwhile read. A very interesting and different story. I don't want to give anything away but as with most Crichton stories, he turns something that is out of reach scientifically (at the moment) into a possibility! I think he focused more on the story than character development which always dismays me but I'd still recommend it.
"It is a world of exploding advances on the frontiers of technology. Information moves instantly between 2 points, without wires or networks. Computers are built from single molecules. Any moment of the past can be actualized- and a group of historians can enter, literally, life in fourteenth-century feudal France."
A technical Jarassic Park.
A technical Jarassic Park.
Another great book by Michael Crichton. Combining exploding technology with suspense.
Sandra D. (bookcrazychick) -
Very fast, entertaining. Much better than the movie.
Ohhh this book was such a good read....soooo much better than the movie!!!
suspenseful...lots of action and adventure.
Travel into a time long ago of knights and castles...to save their teacher and friend. Both my husband and I loved this book. Don't watch the movie first...it didn't come close to comparing to the book.
Travel into a time long ago of knights and castles...to save their teacher and friend. Both my husband and I loved this book. Don't watch the movie first...it didn't come close to comparing to the book.
Crichton is one of my favorite authors, and this book was no disappointment. It kept me interested from beginning to end - and the end was great. A bit of a surprise!
Time travel by Crichton. Can one say more?
Best Micheal Crichton I have read so far. A page turner to say the least. I read it twice (2 years between times). If you saw the movie and haven\'t read the book, ...I\'m sorry, as usual the movie just doesn\'t do the story justice. So much more in the book.
Great story!
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Absolutely loved this story. Different and neat.
Abridged version, good narration. On 4 cassettes. This certainly kept my attention!
I absolutely loved this book. My English teacher and my dad both recommended it to me claiming it was a great book, and i was not disappointed. I had trouble putting it down. I would recommend this book to anyone who like to read.
Really, you've gotta give it a try!
Really, you've gotta give it a try!
If you like jurassic park stuff....You will love this book....Not since jurassic park has this author given u7s such a magnificent adventure.
When you step into a time machine, fax yourself through a "quantum foam wormhole," and step out in feudal France circa 1357, be very, very afraid. If you aren't strapped back in precisely 37 hours after your visit begins, you'll miss the quantum bus back to 1999 and be stranded in a civil war, caught between crafty abbots, mad lords, and peasant bandits all eager to cut your throat. You'll also have to dodge catapults that hurl sizzling pitch over castle battlements. On the social front, you should avoid provoking "the butcher of Crecy" or Sir Oliver may lop your head off with a swoosh of his broadsword or cage and immerse you in "Milady's Bath," a brackish dungeon pit into which live rats are tossed now and then for prisoners to eat.
If you like suspenseful, time travel, this is a great story! They even made a movie on it!
Too sci-fi-ish for me.
Great Read
Excellent fast moving story. Hard to put down.
This was his 1st that I read. I was impressed by his writting. I did enjoy the story and couldnt wait to see how it ended.
I really enjoyed this book.
Excellent read! Crichton is at his best in this one; I couldn't put it down. It's too bad Hollywood bungled the movie so badly. It could have been on par with Jurassic Park.
Rob Taylor (theatricalscot) -
Solidly enjoyable Chrichton techno-thriller. The premise is silly, as in most of his books, but he knows how to write a page turner!
My favorite Chrichton book. My favorite book in my collection.
That may be because I am a history nerd so I loved the medevil
action! I could not put the book down. A little dissapointed by the
movie. A must read.
That may be because I am a history nerd so I loved the medevil
action! I could not put the book down. A little dissapointed by the
movie. A must read.
The cover has a one inch tear on the front and back. Fun read
Outstanding writing and so entertaining I didn't want to put it down!
This book was very well written, with no holes in the story, unlike the movie version of the book. Great read!
A Thriller Diller, for Michael Crichton Lovers.Try fighting for your life 600 years ago!
EXCITING CLASSIC ADVENTURE..A SWASHBUCKLING NOVEL of time travel into the world 600 years ago...Also a major motion picture. GREAT BOOK, GREAT MOVIE.
AWFUL book!
A good time-travel story
Not only did I read it once, I read it twice. The second time to see what I had missed because I was turning the pages so quickly. A great novel in Michael Crichton's best style. Historic France, modern day New Mexico, quantum technology. A wonderful fast paced story.
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and woman will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival-six hundred years ago...
I love Chrichton's stories! This one is very complicated, and a good "page turner". I love the ending! A lot of twists and turns and a few real surprises along the way.
A really good read.
Very good novel, scary and suspenseful. I couldn't put it down.
Definitely one of Crichton's best books. I loved it, possibly because I am an archaeologist, but also because of his great writing. Much better than the recent movie.
A decent read that falls into the genres of historical fiction and high-tech science fiction. It's an interesting storyline that blends medieval times with the near future. There's romance, medieval barbarism and carnage, high-tech gizmos, and lots of bad guys in both the past and present.
Not my favorite Crichton book.
Great book,I didnt want it to end!
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival--six hundred years ago....
I'm usually a mystery fan, but I can never resist a Crichton book.
A great time travel story. A group of archaeologists get the chance to travel to medieval Europe.
In an arizona desert a man wanders in a daze speaking words that make no sense.within twenty four hours he is dead his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates.halfway around the world archeologists make a shocking discoveryat a medieval site.suddenly they are swep of to the headquarters of a secret multinational corporation.now the group is about to get a chance not to study the past but enter it.And with history opened to the present,the dead awakened to the living,these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their survival-six hundred years ago.
Not one of his best but a good read. Usual science plausible techno thriller by Chrichton
The begining of the book was very slow to start. I read all the critc's reviews on the book's cover expecting for an incredibly fast paced story. The story had some wonderful details.
Refreshing as a totally new idea/story. Many surprises and twists, all thought out well by the master of detail--Crichton
As always, better than the movie!
Awesome, way better than the movie.
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated byhis only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddently they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival-six hundred years ago....
One of my all time favorites! Crichton really outdid himself with this one. Sci-fi, alternative history/history, archaeology, mystery is just doesn't get any better.
Plenty of action, a good page turner.
When you step into a time machine, fax yourself through a \"quantum foam wormhole,\" and step out in feudal France circa 1357, be very, very afraid. If you aren\'t strapped back in precisely 37 hours after your visit begins, you\'ll miss the quantum bus back to 1999 and be stranded in a civil war, caught between crafty abbots, mad lords, and peasant bandits all eager to cut your throat. You\'ll also have to dodge catapults that hurl sizzling pitch over castle battlements. On the social front, you should avoid provoking \"the butcher of Crecy\" or Sir Oliver may lop your head off with a swoosh of his broadsword or cage and immerse you in \"Milady\'s Bath,\" a brackish dungeon pit into which live rats are tossed now and then for prisoners to eat.
This is the plight of the heroes of Timeline, Michael Crichton\'s thriller. They\'re historians in 1999 employed by a tech billionaire-genius with more than a few of Bill Gates\'s most unlovable quirks. Like the entrepreneur in Crichton\'s Jurassic Park, Doniger plans a theme park featuring artifacts from a lost world revived via cutting-edge science. When the project\'s chief historian sends a distress call to 1999 from 1357, the boss man doesn\'t tell the younger historians the risks they\'ll face trying to save him. At first, the interplay between eras is clever, but Timeline swiftly becomes a swashbuckling old-fashioned adventure, with just a dash of science and time paradox in the mix. Most of the cool facts are about the Middle Ages, and Crichton marvelously brings the past to life without ever letting the pulse-pounding action slow down. At one point, a time-tripper tries to enter the Chapel of Green Death. Unfortunately, its custodian, a crazed giant with terrible teeth and a bad case of lice, soon has her head on a block. \"She saw a shadow move across the grass as he raised his ax into the air.\" I dare you not to turn the page!
Through the narrative can be glimpsed the glowing bones of the movie that may be made from Timeline and the cutting-edge computer game that should hit the market in 2000. Expect many clashing swords and chase scenes through secret castle passages. But the book stands alone, tall and scary as a knight in armor shining with blood
This is the plight of the heroes of Timeline, Michael Crichton\'s thriller. They\'re historians in 1999 employed by a tech billionaire-genius with more than a few of Bill Gates\'s most unlovable quirks. Like the entrepreneur in Crichton\'s Jurassic Park, Doniger plans a theme park featuring artifacts from a lost world revived via cutting-edge science. When the project\'s chief historian sends a distress call to 1999 from 1357, the boss man doesn\'t tell the younger historians the risks they\'ll face trying to save him. At first, the interplay between eras is clever, but Timeline swiftly becomes a swashbuckling old-fashioned adventure, with just a dash of science and time paradox in the mix. Most of the cool facts are about the Middle Ages, and Crichton marvelously brings the past to life without ever letting the pulse-pounding action slow down. At one point, a time-tripper tries to enter the Chapel of Green Death. Unfortunately, its custodian, a crazed giant with terrible teeth and a bad case of lice, soon has her head on a block. \"She saw a shadow move across the grass as he raised his ax into the air.\" I dare you not to turn the page!
Through the narrative can be glimpsed the glowing bones of the movie that may be made from Timeline and the cutting-edge computer game that should hit the market in 2000. Expect many clashing swords and chase scenes through secret castle passages. But the book stands alone, tall and scary as a knight in armor shining with blood
Sort of time travel, sort of not. Reminds the reader of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" with more blood and guts and science.
Book was better than movie.
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archeologists make a shocking discovery as a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but toenter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival-six hundred years ago...
Excelent reading.
Excelent reading.
Quick reading and engrossing story about time travel.
pure Crichton. The characters were a bit cookie cutter, the "mystery" was not very compelling and the ending was very expected. But he still is able to pull you in and make it a great, entertaining read.
Brittany Q. (notebook-junkie) reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 81 more book reviews
I liked this book but it started a little slow.
Fantastic book. By far my favorite Crichton novel to date. I eagerly anticipated the movie after having read the book. It was okay but the book is much better.
A group of archaelogists are swept into the past.
A great read. I had seen the movie version, and the book goes into so much more backstory and detail of how it actually worked. Was a page-turner for me.
a great read if you love history you will love this
He wrotes a good combination of hard science, fantasy, and believable adventure. This is a time travel novel like no other!
So much better than the film that it was made into. a must read for time travel fiction fans.
Perfect condition, Brilliant!
Great book, beginning to end!
This was so enjoyable. A real page turner I couldn't put down. V
My son read this book asnd really enjoyed it!
very good.
Interesting in that it deals with medieval times which is not written about much. A suspenseful story dealing with scientists and archeologists who are sent back in time to retrieve one of their team. The obstacles and danger that they encounter is different than any other suspense novel. Of course, I would consider it science fiction which is something that Crichton writes about well.
I couldn't let go of this book until I copied some of the best passages. I enjoyed reading the imaginative insights into the way way off future and then being plunged back to way way back in time. Glimpses of medieval times and futuristic times, suspense & danger.
One of Crichton's best!
This is the book the movie was based on. Of course their are differences, like any book to movie. It's a good read.
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within 24 hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive mulitnational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival- 600 years ago...
Very good time travel book.
I only wish I could have been on this journey with the books characters.Very interesting and thorough.Makes amazing ideas possible..almost.
I love Michael Crichton books and this one does not disappoint. Exciting read, much better than the movie.
Exciting classic adventure,Cricton delivers
It was far more entertaining than the movie. A good read for a "brainless" kind of day.
really good-
This book is exciting from both a scientific and historic perspective. Time travel allows several scientists to travel back to the 14th century to rescue a collegue who has become stranded there. A New York Times best seller. According to the Philidelphia Inquirer, ""One of his best...a nonstop roller coaster of a novel".
Excellent condition, only read once!
Excellent condition, only read once!
Roberta C. (His-servant-4-life) reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 54 more book reviews
Have you ever wanted to travel to and join the past? Well, with this book you can. Scientists developed a machine to take you to the past and you get to interact -- but people find out it is a lot more dangerous than they thought. Great book, definitely a good read.
Multinational corporation has developed an astouding technology to enter the past.
Great Modern Sci-Fi, A group travels in time to medievel Europe to rescue a stranded fellow-traveler, experiences high adventure.
Not a bad story. Much better than the movie that came out a few years back.
Interesting science on the possibility and dangers of time travel.
Brooks H. (FoundItOnAnAirplane) -
Excellent medieval adventure! Crichton proves once again that he can spin a yarn and make us suspend our disbelief! I loved the time travel aspects and I have no idea about quantum mechanics or physics but feel really educated after reaing this book. I thought this one was better than some of his other books.
Typical Crichton suspense and adventure. Great for those that love time travel books.
What a great page turner - couldn't put it down!
Another great book by Michael Crichton.
excellant
Decent entry in the "modern people experience the middle ages for real" subgenre.
A secret, multinational corporation has developed an astounding technology. Now a group of men and women are about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. They will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival - six hundred years ago.
Enjoyed it
Enjoyed it
Good time travel book, Crichton makes it a fast read
Sherri H. (mamadoodle) -
1000 times better than the movie. Classic Crichton.
Archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. A secret Corporation has found a way to go back in time. The group goes back and finds themselves in a six-hundred year old battle.
Maryann H. (MaryannLovesBooks) reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 50 more book reviews
"A page turning back-in-time thriller in which scientists and scholars useing futuristic quantum technology that kicks into reverse, collideing with European History Readers will love this book for the way it comingles old and new..chivalry and physics, cauldrons and computers, photons and gunpowder."
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival--six hundred years ago....
Fascinating! Fun! So cool! Worked out twice as long so I could keep reading this!
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaelogists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly, they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awaken to the living,these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival--six hundred years ago........
Crighton is always good
I like the book, but the movie was so much better.
Better than the movie
A page turner. MUCH better than the movie.
WOW! I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. READ ALL NIGHT. HOW ON EARTH DID HE EVER THINK UP THIS PLOT? WHAT AN INTERESTING JUXTAPOSITION OF THE PAST AND THE FUTURE. I'M RENTING THE MOVIE TONIGHT!
science-fiction thriller
This is one of THE BEST books I have ever read.
Better than the movie. A great time travel story.
Great adventure, keeping you on the edge of your seat! Enjoyed the characters!
I'm a sucker for time travel novels and overall I enjoyed this one very much! I hadn't read a Crichton novel in several years - I think the last one I read was Next which was okay but not his best. Somehow I missed reading Timeline although I really enjoyed most of his earlier novels including Jurassic Park, Congo, Sphere, The Andromeda Strain, etc. Timeline took a group of historians back to 14th century France during a siege on a castle. The technology used was some form of quantum physics that actually took the travelers to a different universe. I actually found this to be a good page-turner with lots of action and a blend of historical fiction and science fiction. High recommendation. I need to read some of the other Crichton novels that I have missed.
liked it, unexpected
Great fun adventure with some graphic violence.
One of my favorite Crichton books, this one kept me interested throughout.
Makes you wish you could go along. Michael Crichton alwys gave my imagination a swift nudge.
The book is so much better then the movie! Quick, fast electrifying read!
There's probably a million copies in the PBS system, but this is a fun, if far-fetched, page turner. Perfect airplane or beach reading. Book is much better than the recent movie...
still sealed and in original condition!
I normally dont read books over and over. I have read this book over and over. Was highly disappointed in the movie. the movie should have been named something else for all it followed the book
Very cool book!
Denell W. (Chitimacha-Princess) reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 586 more book reviews
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly creamed by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking disvovery at a medieval site. Suddeny they are swept off to headquarets of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now the group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakaened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival---six hundred years ago....
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is abouty to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakended to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival...600 years ago
different cover than what is shown
Way Kool plot twists on this book, with lots of tech, and history
I think you will loves it
I wish you well
beca
I think you will loves it
I wish you well
beca
Glenn Rock Conner (rockconner) - , reviewed Timeline (Audio Cassette) (Abridged) on + 57 more book reviews
Michael Crichton mailed this one in.
Crichton fantasy/sci fi
Publishers Note
Tucked away in the arid New Mexico desert, Robert Doniger and his team of scientists develop a time machine based on the development of quantum technology. While Doniger envisions a lucrative monopoly on the tourism and travel industries, beloved Yale history professor Edward Johnston sees it as a chance to finally experience the subject of his scholarly profession. After getting his hands on a prototype of Doniger's time machine, Johnston is hurled back in time to Medieval France. Problems arise, however, when the aged professor gets stuck in this colorful alternate universe filled with fantastic castles, knights in shining armor, and beautiful damsels in distress. Anxious to redeem his ticket to fame and fortune, Doniger sends out a daring rescue team made up of two ex-military types and three of Johnston's university colleagues dressed in the latest Medieval styles complete with electronic sound pieces used for language translation. Soon after their arrival to the year 1357, the brawny military guides are slaughtered by horse soldiers hired by an evil English nobleman who has mistaken Johnston for a sorcerer and kidnapped him. Now it's up to the academics to save the professor and find a way back to the twentieth century.
Tucked away in the arid New Mexico desert, Robert Doniger and his team of scientists develop a time machine based on the development of quantum technology. While Doniger envisions a lucrative monopoly on the tourism and travel industries, beloved Yale history professor Edward Johnston sees it as a chance to finally experience the subject of his scholarly profession. After getting his hands on a prototype of Doniger's time machine, Johnston is hurled back in time to Medieval France. Problems arise, however, when the aged professor gets stuck in this colorful alternate universe filled with fantastic castles, knights in shining armor, and beautiful damsels in distress. Anxious to redeem his ticket to fame and fortune, Doniger sends out a daring rescue team made up of two ex-military types and three of Johnston's university colleagues dressed in the latest Medieval styles complete with electronic sound pieces used for language translation. Soon after their arrival to the year 1357, the brawny military guides are slaughtered by horse soldiers hired by an evil English nobleman who has mistaken Johnston for a sorcerer and kidnapped him. Now it's up to the academics to save the professor and find a way back to the twentieth century.
great book
Very interesting premise. Unique time travel story. I like it but have a couple of things to say. It was hard to follow the descriptions of their movements and his description of the places was not really understandable. Also, it was wonderful not to be made a voyeur to porno. Clean straightforward characters. BUT, Jesus is the cussword used in this book. I wonder what people will do when they get into a position where they really need the Savior and have used His name in vain (even though He always comes when His Name is called). Will they have the confidence in His goodness to expect an answer in their dire need? The little boy who cried wolf.
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within 24 hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaelogists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a seretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the [past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for thier very survival- six hundred years ago....... This book was made into a movie, but the book is so much better than the movie was.
M. Carol T. (mamatraub) -
Have you read a book only to find your family name in it. This is a good book, better than the movie, even if my family name is in it. Read and enjoy.
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival---six hundred years ago. . .
In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival - six hundred years ago...
