Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
Random House Audio Price-less (2004), Edition: Abridged
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: From the author of Jurassic Park, Timeline, and Sphere comes a captivating thriller about a deadly extraterrestrial microorganism, which threatens to annihilate human life. Five prominent biophysicists have warned the United States government that sterilization procedures for returning space probes may be inadequate to guarantee uncontaminated re-entry to the atmosphere. Two years later, a probe satellite falls to the earth and lands in a desolate region of northeastern Arizona. Nearby, in the town of Piedmont, bodies lie heaped and flung across the ground, faces locked in frozen surprise. What could cause such shock and fear? The terror has begun, and there is no telling where it will end. .… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member RobertDay
This book made a massive impact on me when I first read it at the age of twelve or thirteen. It hardly read like fiction, given Crichton's peppering of the book with facsimile documents, renderings of computer displays, and scientifically plausible dialogue (and, truth to tell, info-dumps). And
Today, it still reads as well as it ever did, though that does mean it reads a bit like a government report at times. It is also very much a Cold War product, even though it isn't actually about the Cold War; but it has the Cold War mindset. Read this and be transported back to the 1960s, that era of great hope alternating with the threat of terrible annihilation.
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four pages of referenced scientific papers! At the same time, it latched onto the zeitgeist of James Bond and Gerry Anderson's 'Thunderbirds', with secret laboratories concealed under agricultural research stations and talk of nuclear weapons and biowar.Today, it still reads as well as it ever did, though that does mean it reads a bit like a government report at times. It is also very much a Cold War product, even though it isn't actually about the Cold War; but it has the Cold War mindset. Read this and be transported back to the 1960s, that era of great hope alternating with the threat of terrible annihilation.
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LibraryThing member StormRaven
The Andromeda Strain is highly praised, often appearing in lists of "top" or "must read" science fiction" lists. I cannot figure out why.
The story is essentially a disease story. A presumably alien organism is brought back to Earth by a space probe and kills off all but two members of the
The whole book is written with scary time stamps on the chapters, trying to give a sense of impending doom as brave medical researchers put themselves in harm's way to halt the deadly invader. And then Crichton wraps it up with a nice bow as the invader suddenly becomes harmless, which to me makes the book a huge build up to a giant let down.
The science is reasonably well-presented, and until the huge left turn the plot makes, the tension and fear created by the story is well-done. But the lame ending that blandly resets everything to status quo ante just does so much damage to the quality of the book that I can't see it as anything other than a run-of-the-mill offering in the genre.
The story is essentially a disease story. A presumably alien organism is brought back to Earth by a space probe and kills off all but two members of the
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population of a small town. A special medical team is called in to investigate and they end up holed up in a special medical research bunker feverishly trying to come up with a cure for this horribly deadly threat. The alien organism threatens to get loose, the bunker's automatic defense system must be turned off to prevent it from escaping, and then, in an entirely anticlimactic twist - the organism suddenly turns benign.The whole book is written with scary time stamps on the chapters, trying to give a sense of impending doom as brave medical researchers put themselves in harm's way to halt the deadly invader. And then Crichton wraps it up with a nice bow as the invader suddenly becomes harmless, which to me makes the book a huge build up to a giant let down.
The science is reasonably well-presented, and until the huge left turn the plot makes, the tension and fear created by the story is well-done. But the lame ending that blandly resets everything to status quo ante just does so much damage to the quality of the book that I can't see it as anything other than a run-of-the-mill offering in the genre.
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LibraryThing member loralu
a good quick read. ends rather quickly though.
LibraryThing member TonyaSB
I saw the movie a couple years ago and thought the book must be better. I was surprised to find that the movie follows the book pretty closely, except for the fact that one of the doctors is a woman in the movie. I enjoyed this and it's fairly quick read so I would recommend it. Like most Crichton
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books, I have no criticism. I think he blends a little bit of horror with science fiction in modern life very well. Show Less
LibraryThing member HunyBadger
Loved this book when I read it the first time. I've subsequently read it at least 5 more times and still enjoy it. It is a well thought out page-turner which has a few twists that you don't see coming. References to medical terms make it seem plausible and the base story line is still legit even in
Although I love the premise and the use of medicine, I feel the end was abrupt and left me feeling something was missing. I've discovered this is a common feeling for me with other Crichton books as well.
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today's world.Although I love the premise and the use of medicine, I feel the end was abrupt and left me feeling something was missing. I've discovered this is a common feeling for me with other Crichton books as well.
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LibraryThing member jayde1599
Dates read: September 1-9, 2009
Synopsis: A probe satellite falls to Earth not far from the sleepy town of Piedmont, Arizona. Two members of a government agency go out to investigate and discover bodies lying all over the road. Five prominent bioscientists are dispatched to to stop whatever is
Pros & Cons: The Andromeda Strain was published early in Crichton's career and it is interesting to see how his writing has evolved over the years. For a book published in 1969, in the midst of the Cold War, I was surprised at how the plot has not aged. The technology described feels like it could be taking place in the present and not forty years ago. I didn't find that this is Crichton's most suspenseful book, but it was still exciting and kept me captivated. There is a lot of science jargon, but I still found it easy to read and understand. Michael Crichton has become one of my favorite authors recently, and this book did not disappoint.
Synopsis: A probe satellite falls to Earth not far from the sleepy town of Piedmont, Arizona. Two members of a government agency go out to investigate and discover bodies lying all over the road. Five prominent bioscientists are dispatched to to stop whatever is
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causing the crisis before it spreads outside of Piedmont. They conduct their investigation in an underground laboratory with maximum security and state of the art technology. However, they are human and make human errors, overlooking critical pieces of the puzzle. The suspense grows as the reader is left to wonder whether the scientists will find the solution in time and whether this threat could actually happen.Pros & Cons: The Andromeda Strain was published early in Crichton's career and it is interesting to see how his writing has evolved over the years. For a book published in 1969, in the midst of the Cold War, I was surprised at how the plot has not aged. The technology described feels like it could be taking place in the present and not forty years ago. I didn't find that this is Crichton's most suspenseful book, but it was still exciting and kept me captivated. There is a lot of science jargon, but I still found it easy to read and understand. Michael Crichton has become one of my favorite authors recently, and this book did not disappoint.
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LibraryThing member Gutshot
An interesting topic for a book. A little spooky if you ask me, to tell the truth. But in the end, not the greatest book. The books end, in my opinion, seemed a bit of a cop out...
LibraryThing member BackInAccomack
Great book, if you're into biological mixed with Science Fiction, it's amazing. I saw the movie when I was young. I enjoy reading more than watching television, when I saw the book, I got excited. Yet another great read.
LibraryThing member olyra
a moderately well written book, it was too military for me. not my favorite book.
LibraryThing member andyray
This is Crichton's first best seller. The science is okay and he brings me into it. The overall sense, though, is as if he did this for a doctoral paper. It's DRY.
LibraryThing member Omrythea
Yes! A great read! There is nothing like it to make you paranoid about germs, viruses and sudden death. Great information but not overly technical. Suspenseful and fast-paced.
LibraryThing member stubbyfingers
Honestly, I was disappointed. I remember seeing the movie as a kid and being totally amazed. When I later found out that movie was made from a book I was excited to read it. Turned out to be a let down.
LibraryThing member Siusaidh
I was in 7th grade, not much of a reader, and I poured through this book in 2 days time. Need I say more?
LibraryThing member yoda2ryu
I've always liked Michael Crichton's books, so I'm bias. If you like informative and somewhat technical books about biology and technology dealing with the subject, especially when discussing bacteria and similar things, pick this one up. It's based on true government events and set up to be mostly
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informative and a bit suspenseful depending on your tastes. All in all, it was good reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member saxondude
I actually saw the movie before I read the book. I thought the movie was really good until I read the book... Wow! Crichton's writing style is amazing and addictive! Now, when I see the movie, I still think it's good, but it pales in comparison to the book.
LibraryThing member Technicolor
I remember when I was in my early teens, my mother and I were at the library and she told me that I should read The Andromeda Strain. Simply put, I loved it. Even though it was an old book, the way that Crichton morphed the characters into my head and how he made me keep flipping page after page,
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even though it was a school night and even though it was 02:00 in the morning. I think that this offers a young reader a change of pace from The Simpsons and Harry Potter, and that without a doubt Michael Crichton offers exactly that. A must read for any young teen. Show Less
LibraryThing member crazy4reading
I enjoyed this book. It made me look at science quite differently then I did before.
LibraryThing member aethercowboy
Imagine reading a book about biochemistry, only it's interesting and has mass appeal.
That's The Andromeda Strain.
When an extraterrestrial pathogen starts killing people by coagulating their blood or making them go insane and commit suicide, a crack team of scientists must isolate and investigate.
Being the debut novel of Crichton, establishing him as a best-selling author of techno thrillers, this novel has a flare of realism and plausibility that many authors only dream of attaining. Though originally published in 1969, short of some ancient computers, this book could read like it was written forty years later.
Though Crichton was an author that appealed more to a mass audience, he would thoroughly research his work, and make science fun and interesting to the reader. Like Bill Nye, only for grown-ups. So, if you're one of those "I only read this obscure or under-appreciated author" (I know, I'm like that too), you don't have to worry about eating McDonald's when you're used to whatever five-star restaurant is in the Ritz-Carlton you're currently living in. You may be getting a food that appeals to a wider palate, but is still just as nutritious, if not as filling.
Dang, I've made myself hungry now!
That's The Andromeda Strain.
When an extraterrestrial pathogen starts killing people by coagulating their blood or making them go insane and commit suicide, a crack team of scientists must isolate and investigate.
Show More
The site of the crash has only two survivors: a Sterno-drinking man, and a wailing baby. The Wildfire facilities house them all, scientists and subject, until they figure out what's going on, and why these two people are still alive.Being the debut novel of Crichton, establishing him as a best-selling author of techno thrillers, this novel has a flare of realism and plausibility that many authors only dream of attaining. Though originally published in 1969, short of some ancient computers, this book could read like it was written forty years later.
Though Crichton was an author that appealed more to a mass audience, he would thoroughly research his work, and make science fun and interesting to the reader. Like Bill Nye, only for grown-ups. So, if you're one of those "I only read this obscure or under-appreciated author" (I know, I'm like that too), you don't have to worry about eating McDonald's when you're used to whatever five-star restaurant is in the Ritz-Carlton you're currently living in. You may be getting a food that appeals to a wider palate, but is still just as nutritious, if not as filling.
Dang, I've made myself hungry now!
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LibraryThing member Alera
The science is fascinating. The idea is outstanding. The novel flows fairly well. I think the one and only downfall comes in the form of the characters. I never truly care for them, and I never really fear for them. But for a debut novel this was amazing. Michael Crichton's works continue to make
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me think in ways I hadn't before. Show Less
LibraryThing member wisewoman32
Is set up as an actual event, don't know it that's true. A great page-turner. A US satelite comes back to earth in a small town in Arizona and everyone immediately dies. They take it to an underground facility to analyze it and many problems result. Really good.
LibraryThing member cbradley
The classic Crichton novel combines the authors knowledge of the medical world with his perfect storytelling form. The Andromeda Strain is about a group of scientist that are attempting cure a virus brought back from the upper limits of the atmosphere, something humans have never encountered
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before. Crichton pays meticulous attention to detail and shows the true desperation that these people are under as they search for a cure. While it seems slightly dated today, The Andromeda Strain remains important in today’s world. Show Less
LibraryThing member KevlarRelic
I have had this book for a long time, but I just now got around to reading it.
It was interesting to see how Crichton's writing style has changed over the years, and the retro technology was entertaining to boot. Computers will make doctors obsolete IN TEH FUTURE!
It was interesting to see how Crichton's writing style has changed over the years, and the retro technology was entertaining to boot. Computers will make doctors obsolete IN TEH FUTURE!
LibraryThing member pauliharman
A great read from back when Crichton wrote decent science fiction... although the ending is a massive cop-out.
LibraryThing member 15dingmanj
I loved it! People should give him more credit for his work! It is about this virus that kills within seconds and this team of scientists that are looking at it to find a way to stop it. It was REALLY good.
LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
At first, I loved 'The Andromeda Strain'. It was so neatly written, so scientific, so different to the usual airport bookshop thriller. Then, when I'd finished, I started to wonder if it really had been any good. The danger resolved itself in the worst deus ex machina kind of way, the climax was
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weak hollywood action, and all the hints about the scientists making crucial errors in judgment and method were wasted. What a shame! Show Less
Awards
Seiun Award (Nominee — 1971)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1969)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1969
Physical description
5.76 inches
ISBN
0739312251 / 9780739312254