December 23, 2004
"The Sky Is Falling!" Watch
George Will has thoughts today on Michael Crichton's new book State of Fear, a story of eco-pessimism run amok and enviro-fascists taking on the role of the firemen in Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 by deliberately causing natural disasters in order to reenforce their own position (and power).
I've never read any Crichton and generally do not like conspiracy-theory books, but this one looks entertaining.
UPDATE: Dean has a post up on fearmongering for dollars, as practiced by the enviro-fascists and others.
Posted by Robert at December 23, 2004 10:36 AM
I once remarked that Dan Brown was a third rate writer with second rate ideas about first rate material.
Crichton is a second rate writer with second rate ideas about first rate material.
Which is to say, if forced to pick up a work by either, the nod goes to Crichton.
I don't dislike Crichton. He chooses his subjects well, which is better than what 90% of the folks out there do.
But neither of these guys is Umberto Eco (first rate writer, first rate ideas, first rate subject matter -- who just can't write endings.)
And once again, I post something on the Llamas site that probably should be a post on my site.
Why do you put up with me, Llamas?
Beer-goggles.
Posted by: Robert the LB at December 23, 2004 11:47 AM
I'm no Jennifer Millerwise, that's for sure.
I like Crichton, but he is hit-or-miss with some of his novels. My favorite is Sphere (the movie is a travesty). Timeline (again, the movie is a disgrace) is also tops. What I like most is that he's all over the map on subjects - Jurrassic Park and Rising Sun couldn't be more different, but they both work. IMHO.
Posted by: jen at December 23, 2004 01:28 PMI believe Crichton is the best in trash novels since Dumas.
Posted by: lemuel at December 23, 2004 03:45 PMThe only real MICHEAL CHRITON book ive ever read has been THE ANDROMADA STRAIN and ive also saw the movie and well im glad to see someone taking on the enviromenatl chicken littles and prove what a bunch of liars they are
Posted by: night heron at December 23, 2004 08:56 PMI introduced my ex to MC's Timeline after she told me her favourite book ever was DB's Da Vinci Code. Having read other DB works but not DVC I realised she should read some MC.
I wished to find Prey, which I think whilst slightly weak had an absolutely brilliant premise but couldn't find it in Wal*Mart so picked up Timeline (which is a stronger read but with a weaker premise). She loved it and then bought the DVD.
I am hoping to get this MC book for Xmas to keep my 'set' up-to-date :)
re: Umberto Eco; never heard of him/her. Shall keep my nose to the ground and rub the skin off it in the NY and find some to read.
Posted by: Monjo at December 24, 2004 06:37 AM
