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| State of Fear | 
 enlarge | Author: Michael Crichton
Creator: George Wilson
Publisher: HarperAudio
Category: Book
List Price: $34.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  1274 reviews
Sales Rank: 215281
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged, Mp3 Audio
Media: MP3 CD
Edition: MP3 Una
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6
ISBN: 0060797452
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780060797454
ASIN: 0060797452
Publication Date: December 7, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new sealed in stock and ships today!
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Amazon.com Review
Amazon.com Exclusive Content A Michael Crichton Timeline
Amazon.com reveals a few facts about the "father of the techno-thriller."
 1942: John Michael Crichton is born in Chicago, Illinois on Oct. 23.
1960: Crichton graduates from Roslyn High School on Long Island, New York, with high marks and a reputation as a star basketball player. He decides to attend Harvard University to study English. During his studies, he rankles under his writing professors' criticism. As an act of rebellion, Crichton submits an essay by George Orwell as his own. The professor doesnt catch the plagiarism and gives Orwell a B-. This experience convinces Crichton to change his field of study to anthropology.
1964: Crichton graduates summa cum laude from Harvard University in anthropology. After studying further as a visiting lecturer at Cambridge University and receiving the Henry Russell Shaw Travelling Fellowship, which allowed him to travel in Europe and North Africa, Crichton begins coursework at the Harvard School of Medicine. To help fund his medical endeavors, he writes spy thrillers under several pen names. One of these works, A Case of Need, wins the 1968 Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Allan Poe Award.
1969: Crichton graduates from Harvard Medical school and is accepted as a post-doctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Science in La Jolla, Calif. However, his career in medicine is waylaid by the publication of the first novel under his own name, The Andromeda Strain. The novel, about an apocalyptic plague, climbs high on bestseller lists and is later made into a popular film. Crichton said of his decision to pursue writing full time: "To quit medicine to become a writer struck most people like quitting the Supreme Court to become a bail bondsman."
1972: Crichton's second novel under his own name The Terminal Man, is published. Also, two of Crichton's previous works under his pen names, Dealing and A Case of Need are made into movies. After watching the filming, Crichton decides to try his hand at directing. He will eventually direct seven films including the 1973 science-fiction hit Westworld, which was the first film ever to use computer-generated effects.
1980: Crichton draws on his anthropology background and fascination with new technology to create Congo, a best-selling novel about a search for industrial diamonds and a new race of gorillas. The novel, patterned after the adventure writings of H. Ryder Haggard, updates the genre with the inclusion of high-tech gadgets that, although may seem quaint 20 years later, serve to set Crichton's work apart and he begins to cement his reputation as "the father of the techno-thriller."
1990: After the 1980s, which saw the publication of the underwater adventure Sphere (1987) and an invitation to become a visiting writer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1988), Crichton begins the new decade with a bang via the publication of his most popular novel, Jurassic Park. The book is a powerful example of Crichton's use of science and technology as the bedrock for his work. Heady discussion of genetic engineering, chaos theory, and paleontology run throughout the tightly-wound thriller that strands a crew of scientists on an island populated by cloned dinosaurs run amok. The novel inspires the 1993 Steven Spielberg film, and together book and film will re-ignite the worlds fascination with dinosaurs.
1995: Crichton resurrects an idea from his medical school days to create the Emmy-Award Winning television series ER. In this year, ER won eight Emmys and Crichton received an award from the Producers Guild of America in the category of outstanding multi-episodic series. Set in an insanely busy an often dangerous Chicago emergency room, the fast-paced drama is defined by Crichton's now trademark use of technical expertise and insider jargon. The year also saw the publication of The Lost World returning readers to the dinosaur-infested island.
2000: In recognition for Crichton's contribution in popularizing paleontology, a dinosaur discovered in southern China is named after him. "Crichton's ankylosaur" is a small, armored plant-eating dinosaur that dates to the early Jurassic Period, about 180 million years ago. "For a person like me, this is much better than an Academy Award," Crichton said of the honor.
2004: Crichtons newest thriller State of Fear is published.
Amazon.com's Significant Seven
Michael Crichton kindly agreed to take the life quiz we like to give to all our authors: the Amazon.com Significant Seven.
Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?
A: Prisoners of Childhood by Alice Miller
Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?
A: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (Witter Bynner version)
Symphony #2 in D Major by Johannes Brahms (Georg Solti)
Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa
Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?
A: Surely you're joking.
Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.
A: Small room. Shades down. No daylight. No disturbances. Macintosh with a big screen. Plenty of coffee. Quiet.
Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
A: I don't want an epitaph. If forced, I would say "Why Are You Here? Go Live Your Life."
Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?
A: Benjamin Franklin
Q: If you could have one superpower what would it be?
A: Invisibility
Product Description
In Paris, a physicist dies after performing a laboratory experiment for a beautiful visitor. In the jungles of Malaysia, a mysterious buyer purchases deadly cavitation technology, built to his specifications. In Vancouver, a small research submarine is leased for use in the waters off New Guinea. And in Tokyo, an intelligence agent tries to understand what it all means. Thus begins Michael Crichton's exciting and provocative technothriller, State of Fear. Only Michael Crichton's unique ability to blend science fact and pulse-pounding fiction could bring such disparate elements to a heart-stopping conclusion. This is Michael Crichton's most wide-ranging thriller. State of Fear takes the reader from the glaciers of Iceland to the volcanoes of Antarctica, from the Arizona desert to the deadly jungles of the Solomon Islands, from the streets of Paris to the beaches of Los Angeles. The novel races forward, taking the reader on a rollercoaster thrill ride, all the while keeping the brain in high gear. Gripping and thought-provoking, State of Fear is Michael Crichton at his very best.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1269 more reviews...
 Crichton reverses field December 10, 2004
1011 out of 1230 found this review helpful
Michael Crichton has always used the latent but, in his view, underappreciated dangers associated with scientific advancement as a theme in his books (microbiology in The Andromeda Strain, genetic engineering in Jurassic park, and so on).
In State of Fear he reverses field and uses the incorrectly perceived threats of environmental disaster as the underlying impetus for a novel. In Crichton's view, the whole global warming argument is false. His view is that environmentalism has degenerated into a quasi religious system devoid of scientific veracity. Thus, the proponents of the global warming hysteria are pushing faith over fact, many of them have lost their moorings and the inevitable result is a grand conspiracy.
At the heart of this conspiracy is Nick Drake, head of a radical environmentalist group. Outraged that a significant source of funding has been closed by the donors getting Drakes science debunked by a MIT professor, drakes sets out on a murderous course that is designed to both do away with his detractors and enemies while concomitantly creating a profound state of fear about global warming among the public.
As is generally the case with Crichton, an avalanche of scientific data is imparted in Crichton's usual informative yet entertaining manner. Many will debate the validity of Crichton's "science" as regards the issue of global warming. As Crichton so deftly displays in this novel, this issue has become more political than scientific in many ways and there's no reason this novel won't be analyzed in that light.
The story has all the traditional strengths and weaknesses of a Crichton novel. Crichton is an accomplished technician and that comes through in this novel. It can justifiably be called a page turner. However, the methodology of using characters to do the education creates a scenario wherein the characters become somewhat robotic and predictable, not truly fully fleshed out human beings.
However, that's quibbling. This is a very fine novel. I suspect one's enjoyment will be colored to a great degree with how strongly one leans to or away from Crichton's premise. That aside, this ranks as one of his better works.
A Provocative and InformativeThriller about Avoiding Fear December 9, 2004
700 out of 886 found this review helpful
This book reminded me very much of Moby Dick with its heavy emphasis on both an adventure story and sharing detailed information. Those who prefer one aspect or the other will probably find themselves flipping quickly through the pages that emphasize the other aspect.
Popular opinions are almost always wrong. That's the theme of this book. The point is made in the context of describing how global warming, as perceived by the public and media, is different from what scientists are describing. Dr. Crichton argues through his story that we can waste a lot of time and resources on popular delusions, and we need to get our facts right. His appendix I on the dangers of politicized science is something everyone should read. The eugenics example is a chilling one.
The adventure story itself is a Frederick Forsyth/Clive Cussler-type thriller written from the perspective of a young lawyer who tags along with a James Bond-like character who single-handedly saves the day along with his trusty, almost silent, sidekick. They are about as good a source for scintillating conversation as the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Instead of greedy multinationals or rich megalomaniacs being at fault, this story looks at how lawyers and rabid environmentalists can get carried away.
In typical Michael Crichton fashion, the story develops around little-known scientific facts about how humans can influence the environment. So if you wanted to know more about how giant ice bergs, tsunamis and flash floods can be created, this is your book. At the same time, there are nice subplots around how to track terrorists via the Internet and an obscure way to assassinate people.
I found myself drawn to both the adventure story and the global warming information. It's a nice combination for the reader who likes a little substance along with their thrillers. Even I, though, thought the global warming was overdone. The characters needed a lot of work to become interesting, rather than just being devices to drive the plot along. I graded the book down accordingly.
I kept thinking as I read this book that I would like to read a book like this by Dr. Crichton that looks at people manufacturing domestic terrorism for political gain. Perhaps that will be his next subject.
 Disappointing thriller about global warming December 7, 2004
132 out of 250 found this review helpful
I found this book on sale in the Miami airport and, unaware that it hadn't been officially released, I bought it.
Basically, it's about a young lawyer working for an environmental philantropist. Things get rough when the lawyer discovers that his client had discovered some unscrupulous things about the nature of one of his beloved environment charities. Once our hero discovers that the charity is a front for the eco-terrorism group ELF, his life is in jeopardy.
And what is ELF up to this time? Weather control.
Forget "Jurassic Park," this is more in line with "Rising Sun" and "Disclosure." Only, here, the "issue" feels dated and uninteresting. Call me crazy, but I don't find global warming a gripping read. Especially since Crichton spends way too much time telling the reader that the global warming "threat" is just hype.
There's some action in the vein of DAY AFTER TOMORROW and Crichton's own TWISTER as our heroes race against the clock to stop the terrorists from controlling the weather. But it comes across as being mostly blah, particularly since in this post-9/11 world... eco-terrorists feel like a convenient and lazy choice of villain.
Crichton can still move a story forward, but I found myself losing interest with each passing page. By the 15th time you get a chart explaining why global warming isn't a big deal, you'll be ready to put this one down.
Incidentially, with books like JURASSIC PARK and CONGO, Crichton made outlandish science seem plausible. That having been said, there's precious little that he can do to make weather control seem possible.
Crichton over-reaches. December 20, 2004
105 out of 473 found this review helpful
Michael Crichton is a superb author, I have read and enjoyed several of his books. I have always liked the way he includes hard science in his books, enough to come up with a plausible story. A trademark of a superior story-teller; his ideas might not be correct, but they are believable. In all his previous books, however, the science has always served as a background to his stories. Here he reverses - instead of writing he starts preaching against accpeted science. Why does he have to include notes and explanations? I would not have had a problem with this book if Mr Crichton had limited himself to a thought-experiment, but he seems to claim that he is not writing fiction. Had he stated that it is only fiction I would have given the book four stars.
I see that several reviewers see this book as proof of the death of global warming. I ask them: if the weatherreport predicted sun, but it is raining - would you leave your house without an umbrella? and claim it is an illusion that they get soaked? Denying global warming is really like fleeing from reality.
It is also a fact that people opposed to the idea of global warming has difficulties getting published in refereed journals. That is not because of bias - it is because of their flawed science. Instead they publish in magazines and talk at special interest forums. It is the back-door way to spread their ideas.
Disappointing ... and misleading December 21, 2004
103 out of 403 found this review helpful
In State of Fear, Crichton selectively chooses his data in order to convince unwary, non-critical readers that many of the scientists studying climate change have reached the wrong conclusions and we're subject to a "conspiracy" by most of today's environmentalists. He claims he's critically reviewed the data (over the past 3 years), but his agenda shows through, and contradicts his claim of critical review. Like the scientists he claims are overlooking contradictory data, he chooses to overlook much of the available data (and the explanations scientists have for the discrepancies he notes).
Crichton spends entirely too much time in this book attempting to present the "scientific evidence" and not enough time focusing on a plot. It's a disappointing book with a whimpy ending. He's lost his touch with this one.
I gave this book 2 stars because he does raise a good few good points about science, as detailed in his Author's Notes at the end of the book. It's true that science would be better off with improved funding sources (just look at medical research in universities funded by pharmaceutical giants), and we DO need more scientists running real field studies instead of staying glued to their computers.
But is the book very good? Noooo.
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