State of Fear - A Refreshing Point of View

This book was one of the few that I have listened to several times.

It is refreshing to hear a different side to the environmental scare tactics that we have been flodded with since the end of the cold war.

I would say that if you are conservative, you will love it. If not, you may have trouble accepting the results of Crichton's research (which are documented and referenced).

10 people found this helpful

Very well written

I enjoyed this book so much that it was hard to put down before I finished it. It was very well researched and it presented a different version of the current global warming scare.

8 people found this helpful

Entertaining Reading

Wherever you go on the net, you are likely to see two totally disparate reviews of this book. If you are totally invested in the typical environmentalist dogma, you will not like this book, because it discusses the possibility that the current environmentalist dogma is largely rhetoric-based and sensationalist. If you can keep an open mind, you'll find this an entertaining book much in the same vein of the other Creighton novels. Entertaining plot, world-traveling, adventure, etc. Worth the read, IMHO.

14 people found this helpful

Not so bad

This book lost me a little in the beginning. As soon as the story revealed itself, I found it extremely interesting and very exciting. I am afraid that I have to disagree with the other review that claims that the story is full of tree hugging environmentalism. The book is ABOUT environmental activism, as the blurb for the book states that it is.
However, this story does not attempt to promote a zealous concern for the environment, instead it points out the things that scare us the most(global warming)and provides a point of view that we may not be aware of. Even though this book is fiction, it reminds me that we don't always know both sides to every story.
This book caught my attention about 1/3 of the way through and I was hooked on it. The story is very exciting and the character development is strong. I have to say from someone that got bored with "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" that I would recommend this book to anyone with as much or more patience that I have.

19 people found this helpful

Entertaining book

I found the book extremely enlightning and exciting. It illustrates what a bunch of kooks occupy the environmental movement and how truly ignorant the elite monied class are in supporting the movement.

I enjoyed it and is a worthwhile audiobook if your not a environmental kook.

12 people found this helpful

Too much talk, not enough action

I usually love Crichton's books. This one was very disappointing. There is so much preaching about the fallacy of the global warming theory that there is very little room left for an actual plot. The characters are too thinly sketched to make you care about them. If you haven't listened to "Prey," I recommend that instead.

7 people found this helpful

Crichton's Objective Approach to Climate Change

The story ok. The narration is ok. The treasure is Dr. Crichton MD's analytical and objective approach to thinking about the science of a super complex chaotic climate system. I refuse to get caught up in the political debate. Audible/Kindle "Apocalypse Never" by Michael Shellenberger is a good follow-up for someone who wants to continue this approach.

Author’s Notes

Crichton’s notes are the end hit home hard. I love the way he can look at subjects from all perspectives. It’s why his stories are so great. He does the research that helps you immerse yourself into the situations his characters are dealing with.

Crichton’s Worst Book

This book is filled with long, preachy tirades against environmental movements. Read the authors note at the end and skip the book. Characters in the novel are tired stereotypes and the plot is rather dull. In my opinion, Crichton only wrote this book as a means to attack environmentalism. Don’t waste your money listening to or reading his personal views disguised as entertainment - their not entertaining.

The book for all who care about climate change

This is undoubtedly the best and most influential work he has ever done.

Genius shows in his ability to mix excitement and important information seamlessly.