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State of Fear  By  cover art

State of Fear

By: Michael Crichton
Narrated by: George Wilson
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Publisher's summary

The undisputed master of the techno-thriller has written his most riveting, and entertaining, book yet.

Once again Michael Crichton gives us his trademark combination of pause-resistant suspense, cutting-edge technology, and extraordinary research. State of Fear is a superb blend of edge-of-your-seat suspense and thought provoking commentary on how information is manipulated in the modern world. From the streets of Paris, to the glaciers of Antarctica, to the exotic and dangerous Solomon Islands, State of Fear takes the listener on a rollercoaster thrill ride, all the while keeping the brain in high gear.

©2004 Michael Crichton (P)2004 Harper Audio

Critic reviews

" State of Fear is one of Crichton's best because it's as hard to pigeonhole as greenhouse gas but certainly heats up the room." ( Entertainment Weekly)
"Michael Crichton's new, can't-put-it-down novel is a first-of-a-kind thriller - a fast-paced adventure based on the notion that a current widespread fear is baseless." ( Forbes)

What listeners say about State of Fear

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • F
  • 10-05-05

Did I read the same book as some of you?

It's tough for me to be open minded about a Michael Crichton book. I've read nearly all of them going back to the very beginning when he wrote novels under a pen name while in medical school. What I enjoy most is that he doesn't talk down to his audience. He deals with complex scientific issues, uses complex language and (usually) explains things pretty well. He's been warning about the dangers of the mis-use of science for decades, so this book should come as no surprise. I always learn something new when I read a Crichton book. That's why I read them. They stimulate ideas and I always want to read more about the issues he discusses. There's always a danger in taking fiction as fact, so if you have doubts check it out on your own. That's the point, isn't it? To get people talking, and thinking? That's why I read books. If I simply want entertainment I'll watch a mindless sitcom.

I especially found his personal comments interesting, especially the reference to eugenics (did I spell that right?).

As for the performance criticism from some of the other reviewers, I had no such problems. Maybe it's because I usually listen to audio books in the car and the traffic noise diminishes it. Maybe it's because I'm not as critical as others. There's always some dubbing. Try reading a 10,000 word book aloud and see how YOU do.

So take this audio book for what it is, a thought-provoking, non-mainstream journey through unfamiliar territory. You'll only get out of it what you put into it.

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195 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Feed the poor guy

I found the story interesting enough, but the narration was terrible. I felt ill listening to mouth and stomach noises and was quite distracted. Perhaps the hard copy of this novel would be better.

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90 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Don't believe all the bad reviews.

I can't believe all the negative reviews that all the narrow minded politically correct do gooder wannabees have written to trash this suspensful book. They gotta get over the fact that the protaganist is on the other side of the current liberal beliefs on global warming. When I was a kid, we didn't have wind chill factors, heat indexes etc. It was either cold or it was hot. Lets start reviewing books on their good and bad merits instead of whether they are in tune with the reviewers beliefs. I thought it was a great story and well worth the hours of listening. Never a dull moment. I listened and learned from both sides of the global warming argument. I found the book challanging, not written at a level below me. Maybe thats it, they just didnt understand the book.

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86 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

DaVinci Code For Intelligent Folks

This is a fairly typical Crichton book -- I'd rate it a little better than Prey or Timeline, not as good as Disclosure, JP, or Rising Sun.

I'm a little surprised to see all the hostility directed toward his subject matter (right-wing propaganda, said one of the reviewers). As always, his subject matter is well researched and well thought out. Also, as always, there are shadowy groups and people who populate the novel. The use of a wise academic from Cambridge, Mass, to initiate a novice in to the world of faith reminds me of The DaVinci Code -- yet, this is better sourced and supported.

On one hand, you could say he's demonizing environmentalists (like DaVinci Code did to the Catholic Church), but I think if you look below the surface, he's really hitting the lawyers (full disclosure: I am a lawyer) and media people who may be playing with the environment without a real understanding of what they're doing.

And this is a constant theme in Crichton books from Terminal Man to Prey.

Let's face it -- I've never known anyone to read Crichton for character development -- it's not his strong point.

Moreover, if you look back to a book like Congo, you've seen Crichton take the same stand with respect to the environment as he does in this book.

Crichton hasn't changed since he wrote Rising Sun and relied on Al Gore for his background. Those who think he is now a "right-winger" are missing what he has always done as a writer.

In any event, read it for the story and make up you own mind by reading the science elsewhere.

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76 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

MADE FOR TV

Controversial topic but poor execution - unanswered questions , incomplete premises - seems to be finished in a hurry . Maybe to fulfill media contract- Narration seemed uninspired also.

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66 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Caveat Emptor

Huge fun. I bought the book with some trepidation. On the one hand, Crichton is always entertaining. On the other, I had been led to believe by the media response that the book was an attempt to discourage people from taking responsibility for their impact on the environment. I decided to read it with a sceptical mind. Nobody was going to convince *me* that global warming was a hoax, by golly.
To my surprise, I began to really enjoy the book despite the blatantly manipulative characterization of the pro-environmentalist protagonist as a credulous dupe. It helps here if you have a sense of humor about yourself.
I realized I had never *seen* any data that actually demonstrated the reality of global warming as a consequence of human actions. I had been *told*, but I had never seen the data. Kind of like high-school algebra, where even if you got the answer right, you couldn't get credit unless you showed how you *got* the answer.
I highly recommend the book as entertainment. Just bear with the dufus protagonist for the first half of the story (he gets better), and don't let your preconceptions spoil the fun.

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Novel!

Sorry to hear so many were not happy with the novel. I loved it. It confirmed many of my personal observations about society.

I knew the content of this book would not sit well with many. "Strike out" reaction's are a normal reaction for those not able to face facts well. Thank God we are all entitled to our own opinions. I must say, It is hard to dispute the trueth, especially when it's backed with documented facts collected during three years of research.

I agree with another reader who indicates the novel builds slowly. It is well worth the wait though!

Bravo Crichton! Can't wait for the next one.

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39 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Too controversial to let it pass

Definitely worth reading. I had no idea there was an ulterior side of the environmentalist. In any case, it is a good thriller. Do not read too many reviews just hear it. You cannot let a controversial book like this pass?can you?

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38 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An eye and mind opening book

Excellent book with seamless blend of scientific fact into the story to refute "conventional wisdom" borne of junk science. If you're a lockstep liberal, don't bother reading this. But if you have a mind of your own and have ever questioned common beliefs, this book is for you.

Oh, and like most Crichton books, the action is fast paced from the outset and the book is difficult to put down.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Story! You'll enjoy it!

If you can ignore the other reviews that seem to worried about where this book falls in the political spectrum, then you will enjoy it tremendously. I always look for one thing: a story to keep me interested and listening, something that I won't drift off and realize that I have no idea where the narrator is. Although it starts a little slow, with perhaps a little too much detail added in, all in all the story - again I emphasize that point - is a good one.

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26 people found this helpful