Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
USA, Frankrig, 2004
I. Akama
II. Terror
IIII.Angel
IV. Flash
V. Snake
VI. Blue
VII. Resolution
Appendix I. Hvorfor det er farlig når der går politik i forskningen.
Appendix II. Figurernes datakilde
Litteraturliste
Phd. studerende i fysik, Jonathan Marshall har fået en ny kæreste Marisa. Lige efter at de
IDEC (International Data Environmental Consortium) er ledet af Akira Hitomi. De har et projekt Akamai Three, der går ud på at smide lokkemad i form af websites ud og identificere grupper af brugere med spøjse interesser.
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I. Akama
II. Terror
IIII.Angel
IV. Flash
V. Snake
VI. Blue
VII. Resolution
Appendix I. Hvorfor det er farlig når der går politik i forskningen.
Appendix II. Figurernes datakilde
Litteraturliste
Phd. studerende i fysik, Jonathan Marshall har fået en ny kæreste Marisa. Lige efter at de
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har været i seng sammen første gang bliver de overfaldet og han bliver stukket med en injektionssprøjte. Senere går de tur langs floden. Han får det dårligt, hun skubber ham i og han drukner. Kort efter bliver nogle tsunami-forsøgsdata stjålet.IDEC (International Data Environmental Consortium) er ledet af Akira Hitomi. De har et projekt Akamai Three, der går ud på at smide lokkemad i form af websites ud og identificere grupper af brugere med spøjse interesser.
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Publication
Kbh. : Cicero, 2005.
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. Thriller. HTML: New York Times bestselling author Michael Crichton delivers another action-packed techo-thriller in State of Fear. When a group of eco-terrorists engage in a global conspiracy to generate weather-related natural disasters, its up to environmental lawyer Peter Evans and his team to uncover the subterfuge. From Tokyo to Los Angeles, from Antarctica to the Solomon Islands, Michael Crichton mixes cutting edge science and action-packed adventure, leading readers on an edge-of-your-seat ride while offering up a thought-provoking commentary on the issue of global warming. A deftly-crafted novel, in true Crichton style, State of Fear is an exciting, stunning tale that not only entertains and educates, but will make you think..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member JFBallenger
If this book had no pretensions beyond fulfilling the expectations of the thriller genre, one could perhaps forgive it being filled with stiff, one-dimensional characters. As the heroes are chased from Antarctica to the tropics, imperiled by lightning machines, ultrasonic wave generators, poison
But given Crichton's ambition to produce a novel of ideas that critiques the theory of global warming and the propensity of government and civil society to maintain authority by sowing fear, his shallow, manipulative use of characterization spoils the book. There are some reasonable critical questions to be asked about the science of global warming, just as there are reasonable critical questions to be asked about all science. But Crichton "asks" these questions in a fictional world populated on the one hand by zealously dishonest environmentalists (and the callow, self-centered liberals who haplessly fall under their sway) hiding their threadbare ideas behind a veil of public relations manipulations, and on the other hand by tough-minded, independent men of action and science (and the protagonist in the book who eventually joins them, becoming a real man along the way) who tirelessly defend the truth and the world from the reckless schemes of the environmentalists and their eco-terrorist henchmen.
In short, this is not a fictional world that presents an honest dramatization of conflicting ideas. It is a paranoid world in which one set of ideas are embodied by all that is bad, and another all that is good. Suffice it to say that such transparent manipulation will not be likely to persuade anyone to question the global warming consensus who is not already inclined to do so. Those looking for a book that will actually help them to think about the issue should look elsewhere. That said, I should of course acknowledge the obvious. The book did provoke the above strong reaction from me, so points for being provocative.
At risk of giving away too much of the plot *SPOILER WARNING,* I will say that Crichton's skewering of liberal icons is at times quite rich though far from subtle. In particular, the fate Crichton imagines for a thinly fictionalized Martin Sheen near the end of the book gives new meaning to the phrase "throwing red meat to the conservatives." A real treat that both conservatives and liberals can enjoy, albeit for different reasons. (Conservatives: yep, that's the way them liberals are, and a poetically perfect fate. Liberals: yep, that's they way them conservatives think, what a hoot!) Almost makes the book worth reading.
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squids etc. as well as more conventional bad-guy stuff it is, I suppose, thrilling enough.But given Crichton's ambition to produce a novel of ideas that critiques the theory of global warming and the propensity of government and civil society to maintain authority by sowing fear, his shallow, manipulative use of characterization spoils the book. There are some reasonable critical questions to be asked about the science of global warming, just as there are reasonable critical questions to be asked about all science. But Crichton "asks" these questions in a fictional world populated on the one hand by zealously dishonest environmentalists (and the callow, self-centered liberals who haplessly fall under their sway) hiding their threadbare ideas behind a veil of public relations manipulations, and on the other hand by tough-minded, independent men of action and science (and the protagonist in the book who eventually joins them, becoming a real man along the way) who tirelessly defend the truth and the world from the reckless schemes of the environmentalists and their eco-terrorist henchmen.
In short, this is not a fictional world that presents an honest dramatization of conflicting ideas. It is a paranoid world in which one set of ideas are embodied by all that is bad, and another all that is good. Suffice it to say that such transparent manipulation will not be likely to persuade anyone to question the global warming consensus who is not already inclined to do so. Those looking for a book that will actually help them to think about the issue should look elsewhere. That said, I should of course acknowledge the obvious. The book did provoke the above strong reaction from me, so points for being provocative.
At risk of giving away too much of the plot *SPOILER WARNING,* I will say that Crichton's skewering of liberal icons is at times quite rich though far from subtle. In particular, the fate Crichton imagines for a thinly fictionalized Martin Sheen near the end of the book gives new meaning to the phrase "throwing red meat to the conservatives." A real treat that both conservatives and liberals can enjoy, albeit for different reasons. (Conservatives: yep, that's the way them liberals are, and a poetically perfect fate. Liberals: yep, that's they way them conservatives think, what a hoot!) Almost makes the book worth reading.
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LibraryThing member sdrsuperstar
A mostly ridiculous "thriller" in which the bad guys are enviromentalists who range from pure evil to hopelessly clueless. Luckily, the government is there to save the day just in time. Crichton is from the "global warming is nothing to worry about" camp, and this book is not much more than an
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extended propaganda piece, with a very flimsy plot tacked around it. He makes a few good points here and there, but they get lost in the mix. Show Less
LibraryThing member crisostimo
An interesting book with a rather implausible plot.
The thrust of this book it seems is to present the author's studied view that the science behind global warming theory is far from rigorously proven. Chrichton understands that most people accept global warming and want to act on it but are mostly
Eco-terrorism make up the plot elements and some fun but rather far-fetched action sequence in between the global warming dialog.
I recommend reading this if you want to get a skeptical view of the global warming debate without having to trudge through scientific articles. While not a thorough way to approach the topic it can still create some interest in this view point.
The thrust of this book it seems is to present the author's studied view that the science behind global warming theory is far from rigorously proven. Chrichton understands that most people accept global warming and want to act on it but are mostly
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unfamiliar with the background behind the ideas. Thus the main events of this book have a believer following a very educated skeptic around the world discussing the science behind global warming the entire way.Eco-terrorism make up the plot elements and some fun but rather far-fetched action sequence in between the global warming dialog.
I recommend reading this if you want to get a skeptical view of the global warming debate without having to trudge through scientific articles. While not a thorough way to approach the topic it can still create some interest in this view point.
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LibraryThing member kukulaj
A masterwork of climate change denial. I suspect it has been quite successful, too. If you want to understand the climate change debate, it's an important book to read.
It reminds me a little of Jacques Roubaud's Princess Hoppy novels, where he mixes fictional narrative with math exercises. Here,
It's hard to say what Crichton's goal is exactly. He has a grand time bursting the bubbles of the ignorant, but to what end exactly is unclear. He says that people will not be able to stabilize climate. I don't know all the proposals and goals that folks in the climate change world might have, but that's one I haven't heard. Crichton acknowledges that human activity most likely does affect climate. Crichton doesn't quite come out and say that climate change theory is a plot to establish a worldwide totalitarian regime. How else could people control the behavior of people? Hmmm, yet here is Crichton publishing propaganda! It's tricky territory, for sure!
Crichton attempts to refute the precautionary principle without quite defining it. It's a bit like atheists who deny God without being careful to define God. Of course there is an extreme version of the precautionary principle that would require people to refrain from any sort of risky activity. Of course just being alive involves a 100% chance of death. That extreme version of precaution is absurd. But to go to the other extreme - just do whatever you want because nobody can be absolutely certain about the results - that is absurd too. This puzzle is a nice example where some kind of middle way between extremes seems called for - I have been advocating a Buddhist Philosophy of Science as a way to cultivate such middle ways.
We really do not have the intellectual tools to confront the problem of climate change. Yeah Crichton says that forecasts of resource limits more generally are ridiculous because there have been so many failed predictions. Go back, friend, and read the Scientific American article by M. King Hubbert from I think 1980. The fact that many people are wrong doesn't mean that nobody has anything useful to say.
It's a crazy situation. If we were really to take the problem of climate change seriously, it would probably mean the end of the modern world. But if we don't take the problem seriously, it means that we have decided to stop trusting science as a guide to action. Crichton warns us that mixing up science and politics will taint science. But using science as a guide to action is to mix up science and politics. Crichton actually gives a rather confused version of double blind experimental methodology in this book - at least I have never seen double blind used to mean multiple independent teams of researchers. Usually it means that the researchers cannot tell e.g. which subjects are in the control group and which are in the experimental group. But Crichton's version, using independent teams, is a reasonable idea. But if the results are guiding high stakes decisions, at some point the rubber has to meet the road - somebody has to perform the meta-study that combines the reports from the various teams...
We seem to be getting to the point where preserving our way of life means we just have to discard science, which, uh, is actually the foundation of our way of life. Rather that walking forward, eyes open, into the end of the modern age, we are going to trip and stumble blindly into it.
This is definitely a book to get a person thinking!
It reminds me a little of Jacques Roubaud's Princess Hoppy novels, where he mixes fictional narrative with math exercises. Here,
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Crichton mixes real scientific data and reports into the action-packed thriller story. It certainly motivates the reader to think about the science involved! Crichton is not bashful in the least about the slant he is putting on the data. It's hard to say what Crichton's goal is exactly. He has a grand time bursting the bubbles of the ignorant, but to what end exactly is unclear. He says that people will not be able to stabilize climate. I don't know all the proposals and goals that folks in the climate change world might have, but that's one I haven't heard. Crichton acknowledges that human activity most likely does affect climate. Crichton doesn't quite come out and say that climate change theory is a plot to establish a worldwide totalitarian regime. How else could people control the behavior of people? Hmmm, yet here is Crichton publishing propaganda! It's tricky territory, for sure!
Crichton attempts to refute the precautionary principle without quite defining it. It's a bit like atheists who deny God without being careful to define God. Of course there is an extreme version of the precautionary principle that would require people to refrain from any sort of risky activity. Of course just being alive involves a 100% chance of death. That extreme version of precaution is absurd. But to go to the other extreme - just do whatever you want because nobody can be absolutely certain about the results - that is absurd too. This puzzle is a nice example where some kind of middle way between extremes seems called for - I have been advocating a Buddhist Philosophy of Science as a way to cultivate such middle ways.
We really do not have the intellectual tools to confront the problem of climate change. Yeah Crichton says that forecasts of resource limits more generally are ridiculous because there have been so many failed predictions. Go back, friend, and read the Scientific American article by M. King Hubbert from I think 1980. The fact that many people are wrong doesn't mean that nobody has anything useful to say.
It's a crazy situation. If we were really to take the problem of climate change seriously, it would probably mean the end of the modern world. But if we don't take the problem seriously, it means that we have decided to stop trusting science as a guide to action. Crichton warns us that mixing up science and politics will taint science. But using science as a guide to action is to mix up science and politics. Crichton actually gives a rather confused version of double blind experimental methodology in this book - at least I have never seen double blind used to mean multiple independent teams of researchers. Usually it means that the researchers cannot tell e.g. which subjects are in the control group and which are in the experimental group. But Crichton's version, using independent teams, is a reasonable idea. But if the results are guiding high stakes decisions, at some point the rubber has to meet the road - somebody has to perform the meta-study that combines the reports from the various teams...
We seem to be getting to the point where preserving our way of life means we just have to discard science, which, uh, is actually the foundation of our way of life. Rather that walking forward, eyes open, into the end of the modern age, we are going to trip and stumble blindly into it.
This is definitely a book to get a person thinking!
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LibraryThing member PJWetzel
First of all a little background: I am a retired climate scientist. I was given the hardcover version of 'State of Fear' as a Christmas gift and devoured it quickly, and became nauseated almost as quickly. I gave the book away as soon as I finished it.
State of Fear has moments of delightful
But this book is really about Crichton crow-barring his way into something he has no useful expertise in, and *seriously* doing a disservice to science. It's been said many times before, but his unabashed cherry-picking of the facts in order to support his pre-conceived bias is shameful, and would be laughed off the stage in the arena of climate science.
I am of the opinion that Crichton's book, set as a backdrop for the more recent "climate-gate" controversy (emails between scientists that appear to conspire to distort results) probably had a significant cultural influence, even among people who never read the book.
Crichton used the bully pulpit given to him by adoring fans, and his reputation for imaginitive use of real science, to make the case that radical environmentalists were fear-mongering (creating an artificial 'State of Fear'). But in the process, he has engendered a disrespect for science and the scientific process that, had he lived long enough and grown wise enough, I'm sure he would have come to regret.
State of Fear has moments of delightful
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entertainment. The suspense scene in the Antarctic crevasse was the highlight for me.But this book is really about Crichton crow-barring his way into something he has no useful expertise in, and *seriously* doing a disservice to science. It's been said many times before, but his unabashed cherry-picking of the facts in order to support his pre-conceived bias is shameful, and would be laughed off the stage in the arena of climate science.
I am of the opinion that Crichton's book, set as a backdrop for the more recent "climate-gate" controversy (emails between scientists that appear to conspire to distort results) probably had a significant cultural influence, even among people who never read the book.
Crichton used the bully pulpit given to him by adoring fans, and his reputation for imaginitive use of real science, to make the case that radical environmentalists were fear-mongering (creating an artificial 'State of Fear'). But in the process, he has engendered a disrespect for science and the scientific process that, had he lived long enough and grown wise enough, I'm sure he would have come to regret.
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LibraryThing member themulhern
This book wavers uneasily on the very edge of satire but the author never quite manages to take the plunge. His characters are ridiculous, but are apparently intended seriously. Other authors, e.g., Neal Stephenson, James Morrow, Bill Fitzhugh would have done a better job with the idea if they had
A trivial and sloppily plotted book with a few entertaining set pieces.
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thought it worth taking up.A trivial and sloppily plotted book with a few entertaining set pieces.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
The story wasn't bad but the enviromental/scientific lectures almost made me want to drop the book on Mr Crichton's head.
Taking a Lawyer, John Evans (why they took him along is never really clear) on a roller-coaster ride to try and stop some radical enviromentalists from causing a catastrophy to
Taking a Lawyer, John Evans (why they took him along is never really clear) on a roller-coaster ride to try and stop some radical enviromentalists from causing a catastrophy to
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highlight the perils of ignoring the greenhouse effect. It questions the reality of received science and perception of problems. Show Less
LibraryThing member reblacke
If this book doesn't get you to take a second look at the issues of global warming and saving the environment, then you must live in a bubble. Crichton's research and presentation of information is thought provoking while keeping you entertained. Another page turner from one of the greats.
LibraryThing member LillyParks
A book that makes you think about global warming.
In State of Fear, Mr. Crichton introduces the reader to a very controversial subject: global warming. Mr. Crichton takes on the subject head on and if you are fan of Michael Crichton then you already know he does extensive research in order to
In general, the story is about a group of environmentalists raising money to help study and stop global warming. A top lawyer for this group gets caught up in a crazy chase to stop a group of renegade environmentalists that are trying to create wild weather to show the world that global warming is a threat. This is what makes this a great read. Not only to we get a great thriller, but its a book that makes you think. Highly recommend.
In State of Fear, Mr. Crichton introduces the reader to a very controversial subject: global warming. Mr. Crichton takes on the subject head on and if you are fan of Michael Crichton then you already know he does extensive research in order to
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educate the reader to the true facts of global warming. Throughout the whole book, the author keeps driving home the true facts about global warming with charts and studies the demonstrate that global warming is really not a problem. That our planet will not feel the slightest effect of any global warming for a very, very long time.In general, the story is about a group of environmentalists raising money to help study and stop global warming. A top lawyer for this group gets caught up in a crazy chase to stop a group of renegade environmentalists that are trying to create wild weather to show the world that global warming is a threat. This is what makes this a great read. Not only to we get a great thriller, but its a book that makes you think. Highly recommend.
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LibraryThing member br77rino
A novel about a sinister group promoting climate change as an object of fear so that they can line their own pockets. I have always been of a similar mind, and found out only recently that this novel was about that very topic after watching a Charlie Rose interview of Crichton. Even knowing that
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this was to be a dramatized version of what's going on, I found it goes way over the top in the skullduggery department, laughably so at times. I almost gave up on it, but glad I didn't, because it redeems itself in the last fifth, where the author talks about humanity's constant need for a bogeyman of some sort. Show Less
LibraryThing member elektherelic
An great book, filled with science and interesting debate. I wouldn't say Crichton swayed one way or another, but I am interested in learning more about all aspects of climate change. The book went quickly, but I was frustrated with continual preaching, and even though he defends himself at the end
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and says that's not what his intention was, it still felt that way. It was good to get back to a Crichton book and now I remember why he was my favorite author for years. Show Less
LibraryThing member es135
This novel will probably have readers split. While the book, in my opinion, is a fun thriller that just happens to make you think about more important issues, I can see how others pay deem it as a preachy example of Crichton's opinions on global climate change. I think it is important to remember
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that this is a work of fiction. Crichton's views are, no doubt, controversial, but he has crafted another wildly entertaining book. Show Less
LibraryThing member pjjackson
Most of you are too young , but I remember when the news media had us in a frenzy in the 1950s because it was thought we were entering an ice age. We were even told that in school. As a teenager living in the desert I was definitely worried., picturing glaciers wiping out our little community and
The news media thrives on sensationlism, castastrophe and fear, and has really whipped up this so called "global warming" for all it's worth. Now everything is blamed on it -if it's warm or cold, or if we're in a drought or if we have a downpour or tornado or whatever-it's always attributed to global warming. We can't have it both ways. This book gave me food for thought and I'm definitely going to check the references in the bibliography to find out all I can. I don't want to be like Ted Bradley in the book which fits so many of us. People mouth the platitudes but when they are questioned with any depth, it's clear that they know very little about that which they proclaim.. It's the same way in politics and knowledge in general. In our defense, we suffer from a plethora of information and little time to ponder on it. So my advice is to choose your battles wisely and become informed in that particular area which calls out to you. That's what this book taught me.
That being said, I enjoyed the book but wished the gruesome ending of Ted would have been omitted.
I quite often look for fast read books after reading someithing that's somber. This fit the bill taking only one day to read.
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us having to live in ice caves while we froze to death.. The news media thrives on sensationlism, castastrophe and fear, and has really whipped up this so called "global warming" for all it's worth. Now everything is blamed on it -if it's warm or cold, or if we're in a drought or if we have a downpour or tornado or whatever-it's always attributed to global warming. We can't have it both ways. This book gave me food for thought and I'm definitely going to check the references in the bibliography to find out all I can. I don't want to be like Ted Bradley in the book which fits so many of us. People mouth the platitudes but when they are questioned with any depth, it's clear that they know very little about that which they proclaim.. It's the same way in politics and knowledge in general. In our defense, we suffer from a plethora of information and little time to ponder on it. So my advice is to choose your battles wisely and become informed in that particular area which calls out to you. That's what this book taught me.
That being said, I enjoyed the book but wished the gruesome ending of Ted would have been omitted.
I quite often look for fast read books after reading someithing that's somber. This fit the bill taking only one day to read.
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LibraryThing member storeyonastory
With Global Warming at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and the media propagating this fear, Michael Crichton has captured this fear mongering and turned the tables after researching facts and creating characters determined to expose the truth about a fictional environmental activist group in
As is typical with Crichton’s books, he has smoothly blended science and fiction in a way that doesn’t quite qualify as science-fiction, but tends more toward the action/suspense genre. Crichton received much criticism for this work. Some organizations stated that his research of their work was misused and thus misguided the audience…which is ironically what he was trying to impart organizations do throughout his novel.
I am definitely a Michael Crichton fan, and this adventure lives up to his typical thrills. There are no giant dinosaurs chasing you though the jungle, no apes to crush your skull, and no theoretical time machines sending you back into the center of a medieval war. Instead, we are along for the ride to expose plots to manipulate the media, capitalizing on the State of Fear that the media can put society into. However, there are some very angry people determined to stop us.
What a great ride. Michael Crichton will be missed.
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his novel State of Fear. Crichton sets the reader on the path of an eco-terrorist group with plans construct dramatic actions that would appear as “Natural Disasters” to be used by the environmental activist groups to highlight the Global Warming effects on our world. However, with every terrorist group, this is an opposing force. In State of Fear, Crichton has collected a small but powerful group consisting of a wealthy philanthropist, George Morton, who was once a huge proponent of the environmental activist group before realizing what they were doing; Morton’s assistant Sarah Jones; Morton’s lawyer Peter Evens; and two international law enforcement agents posing as MIT researchers hot on the trail of eco-terrorists. After Morton’s fatal crash and multiple threats and robberies, this crew jets all around the world attempting to sabotage the eco-terrorist group’s activities and try to discover who is at the head of this group.As is typical with Crichton’s books, he has smoothly blended science and fiction in a way that doesn’t quite qualify as science-fiction, but tends more toward the action/suspense genre. Crichton received much criticism for this work. Some organizations stated that his research of their work was misused and thus misguided the audience…which is ironically what he was trying to impart organizations do throughout his novel.
I am definitely a Michael Crichton fan, and this adventure lives up to his typical thrills. There are no giant dinosaurs chasing you though the jungle, no apes to crush your skull, and no theoretical time machines sending you back into the center of a medieval war. Instead, we are along for the ride to expose plots to manipulate the media, capitalizing on the State of Fear that the media can put society into. However, there are some very angry people determined to stop us.
What a great ride. Michael Crichton will be missed.
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LibraryThing member csweder
Oh my, did this book suck. Coming from the author of Jurassic Park...I really thought that it would be a good--if not terribly challenging--book. Instead, I have to read the same droll argument every three to four pages between two characters discussing the legitimacy of global warming (one
Not entertaining in the least. In fact I wonder if he actually just got bored of writing, and decided to copy and paste, repeatedly.
Throw in some trips on a private jet all over the world from Antarctica (where characters almost froze to death) to an island off New Guinea (where they were almost eaten alive) to tiny octopi who have the power to paralyze someone within hours...
Don't waste your time, and certainly not your money on this book.
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character convincing the other it isn't true). Well, it only took that character 3/4 of the book to agree that global warming was a total conspiracy of the environmental organizations...and then it was time to have the same conversations with other hard to convince characters. Not entertaining in the least. In fact I wonder if he actually just got bored of writing, and decided to copy and paste, repeatedly.
Throw in some trips on a private jet all over the world from Antarctica (where characters almost froze to death) to an island off New Guinea (where they were almost eaten alive) to tiny octopi who have the power to paralyze someone within hours...
Don't waste your time, and certainly not your money on this book.
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LibraryThing member terran
I always enjoy a Crichton novel but this one had me fuming. The topic of global warming is treated extensively and in a very didactic way by the main character, who doesn't come across to me as believable. I totally agree with the premise that our mainstream media and politicians voice a lot of
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concerns about topics like the environment without really understanding all the issues. However, this topic is always going to be open to interpretation, depending on what sources one reads. Dismissing the phenomenon of climate change as merely propaganda seems dangerous to me, even if one isn't totally convinced. Rather than take the word of a broadcast journalist, one needs to explore the data itself and formulate one's own opinion. Show Less
LibraryThing member readafew
State of Fear was Michael Crichton's take on the Global warming issue. This book points out his belief that there was/is to much politics in global warming legislation and the media, and not enough actual science backing up the claims. It was another decent thriller from him though it was far from
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his best. I found many of the questions he asked in the book very thought provoking and I am glad I read it. Even though too much thinking about the plot would let one see that actions were meant to showcase the ideology instead of make a really good story. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Lots of reviews on this one, so look to one of the others for a summary of the book.
There were some things I loved about this book, and some I hated. I love that the author is willing to challenge the status quo of the dogma of environmental groups and the assumptions they make, to point out the
Now for the things which I did not like. The author made the "bad" guys, in this case the environmental terrorists, into caricatures. He also made several of the protagonists so incredibly dumb I really wanted them to be eaten by cannibals, as one of them was, but not the one I was hoping for. Also, he beat the issue about the head until it was a bloody boring nuisance. Too much repetition.
So, I'm still glad I listened to this, the reader was pretty good, for most of the parts (Why does everyone doing a Slavic accent sound like Dracula? I've heard true Slavic peoples speak and they don't sound like Dracula).
There were some things I loved about this book, and some I hated. I love that the author is willing to challenge the status quo of the dogma of environmental groups and the assumptions they make, to point out the
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inconsistencies and partiality of them. I think the world would be better if some of his recommendations were implemented; blind scientific research and such, and if people wouldn't swallow everything whole. If we would wait to implement policies until unbiased research was done on the issues, we might make fewer blunders. I also think that some of his observations apply to more than environmental groups. They apply to any group with an "issue" they are trying to push through, whether it be Republican, Christian, Democrat or Atheist, every group has an agenda and will skew the facts to try to fool people into voting/contributing towards their cause. People need to take responsibility to learn about issues before donating or voting, not just take the easy way out and go with the majority you are comfortable with. OK, those are the ideas which I appreciated being addressed in this book.Now for the things which I did not like. The author made the "bad" guys, in this case the environmental terrorists, into caricatures. He also made several of the protagonists so incredibly dumb I really wanted them to be eaten by cannibals, as one of them was, but not the one I was hoping for. Also, he beat the issue about the head until it was a bloody boring nuisance. Too much repetition.
So, I'm still glad I listened to this, the reader was pretty good, for most of the parts (Why does everyone doing a Slavic accent sound like Dracula? I've heard true Slavic peoples speak and they don't sound like Dracula).
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LibraryThing member StormRaven
State of Fear is Crichton's longest, and probably most heavy-handed work ever. In it, he takes on the idea that global warming is real, or alternatively, that global warming may be real, but isn't man-made. There is, to a certain extent, some confusion as to what Crichton's argument is on this
Now, I agree with Crichton on some points - ELF (the real ELF, not the one presented in the book), is a vile organization. On the other hand, the plot of the book involves fictional ELF members trying to set up disasters (in some implausible ways) to try to make it look like the global warming problem is worse than it is; whereas when real ELF members engage in terrorism they are usually limited to bombing research labs that are working on making GMO products.
The novel is extraordinarily controversial, as it attempts to take on a hot button topic, and comes to an unorthodox conclusion. Many people dispute the science presented in the novel (there are a variety of footnotes in the novel that are asserted to be science, and not science fiction). I think that some of the criticism is clearly justified - Crichton stretches the facts beyond the limit that is justified by the available science. On the other hand, he does have some very salient points concerning the woefully inadequate nature of the available data, and how that makes it impossible to draw any conclusion in concerning the future behavior of a system as complex as the climate.
As a novel, the techno-thriller aspect of the book is somewhat implausible and too convoluted. The characters, being mere stand-ins for various points of view in the environmental debate, are pretty flat and wooden. There is an ample helping of poetic justice, as those deemed evil, or merely foolish, get their comeuppance in the end, and the hero gets the girl, the cool job, and the interesting future. The best part of the book, to me, is the extensive bibliography.
I think the book is worth reading, if for nothing more than to see what the hoopla is all about. No matter where you stand on the global warming issue, the book is certainly thought-provoking. Like all Crichton books, the plot is executed competently (even if the actual plot is clearly secondary to the long diatribes on global warming), and the writing flows well. I give fair warning that the advocacy is pretty heavy-handed, but if you can get past that, it is a reasonably readable book.
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score, although one thing is certain - environmentalist activists are evil.Now, I agree with Crichton on some points - ELF (the real ELF, not the one presented in the book), is a vile organization. On the other hand, the plot of the book involves fictional ELF members trying to set up disasters (in some implausible ways) to try to make it look like the global warming problem is worse than it is; whereas when real ELF members engage in terrorism they are usually limited to bombing research labs that are working on making GMO products.
The novel is extraordinarily controversial, as it attempts to take on a hot button topic, and comes to an unorthodox conclusion. Many people dispute the science presented in the novel (there are a variety of footnotes in the novel that are asserted to be science, and not science fiction). I think that some of the criticism is clearly justified - Crichton stretches the facts beyond the limit that is justified by the available science. On the other hand, he does have some very salient points concerning the woefully inadequate nature of the available data, and how that makes it impossible to draw any conclusion in concerning the future behavior of a system as complex as the climate.
As a novel, the techno-thriller aspect of the book is somewhat implausible and too convoluted. The characters, being mere stand-ins for various points of view in the environmental debate, are pretty flat and wooden. There is an ample helping of poetic justice, as those deemed evil, or merely foolish, get their comeuppance in the end, and the hero gets the girl, the cool job, and the interesting future. The best part of the book, to me, is the extensive bibliography.
I think the book is worth reading, if for nothing more than to see what the hoopla is all about. No matter where you stand on the global warming issue, the book is certainly thought-provoking. Like all Crichton books, the plot is executed competently (even if the actual plot is clearly secondary to the long diatribes on global warming), and the writing flows well. I give fair warning that the advocacy is pretty heavy-handed, but if you can get past that, it is a reasonably readable book.
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LibraryThing member jhevelin
Terrible book. A complete intellectual fraud. Crichton constructs an entire thesis of "eco terrorism", attempts to discredit global warming, then trys to take it all back in the "Author's Message". Terrible writing, terrible plot, terrible thinking, bad enough to make one wonder if Crichton was
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paid to write this book by parties with an investment in discrediting the environmental movement. A disgrace. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kristelh
The story State of Fear is about eco terrorists plot to influence public fear in order to get funding. The protagonist is Peter Evans, an environmentalist lawyer who is assigned to work with George Morton a millionaire philanthropist. Peter Evans is a whimsy, idealist who becomes involved in an
This will be cross posted to pick a year, subdue the shelf and also the road trip. I am sorry this is so short and I may fix it later if I find some wifi and can work on my computer instead of the iPad. (vacation)
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effort to stop the plans to create natural disasters that will harm unknowing individuals. The heroes jet all over the world and the US; California, Arizona, Hawaii, Antarctic, Solomon Islands. I liked the infusion of research articles and charts. The author is known for his science filled suspense novels. I appreciated the challenge that we should examine our beliefs to see if they are truly facts or just assumptions. The title comes from this line "ecology of thought and how it has led to a state of fear" found on page 495. The book is also about manipulation through use of media. How much of what we believe do we really know or are we just accepting what we hear. This book has a tendency to irritate quite a few people but I think it has some valid challenges to us to at least examine whether we truly know what we think we know. Something my parents wanted to instill in me when I was a young person.This will be cross posted to pick a year, subdue the shelf and also the road trip. I am sorry this is so short and I may fix it later if I find some wifi and can work on my computer instead of the iPad. (vacation)
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LibraryThing member mt2012
The controversy about climate change as presented by Crichton brings in all of the right wing’s bogus scientific claims in an effort to refute the vast majority of the world's scientists. When it comes to scientific certainty about anything, of course, we can't be 100% sure. Crichton was likely
Crichton presents the tiny minority view that global warming is at the very least uncertain to the extreme position of the coal industry lobby that it just isn't happening. Around this right wing science (and he does offer selective facts) he constructs a plot in which diabolical environmentalists financed by a thinly disguised George Soros character, attempt to wreak destruction and mayhem. The plot, characters and story are in the service of debunking global warming. Remember, this is the guy who contrived to make sexual harassment an attack of (attractive) liberated women on moral men. They made a movie of that one. Note: the strong arm female characters abound is this book as well. Hopefully this distortion of discredited science masquerading as a novel won't go on to become another bit of celluloid right wing propaganda. I got this book as part of a two for package - the other book was considerably better. Vote with your dollars to send this to the trash bin and buy another book.
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in the chorus of industry nay sayers denying there was a problem with the ozone layer. What this reader can be certain about is that Crichton's book is poorly conceived diatribe against rational science and particularly against environmentalists who threaten to disrupt the profit flow to the fossil fuel industry. The nonsense he presents as science force fed to reader in the book is just ranting and pandering. He should have written an essay for a right wing publication instead. This is propaganda at its worst. Crichton presents the tiny minority view that global warming is at the very least uncertain to the extreme position of the coal industry lobby that it just isn't happening. Around this right wing science (and he does offer selective facts) he constructs a plot in which diabolical environmentalists financed by a thinly disguised George Soros character, attempt to wreak destruction and mayhem. The plot, characters and story are in the service of debunking global warming. Remember, this is the guy who contrived to make sexual harassment an attack of (attractive) liberated women on moral men. They made a movie of that one. Note: the strong arm female characters abound is this book as well. Hopefully this distortion of discredited science masquerading as a novel won't go on to become another bit of celluloid right wing propaganda. I got this book as part of a two for package - the other book was considerably better. Vote with your dollars to send this to the trash bin and buy another book.
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LibraryThing member alandavey
I really like Michael Crichton books, though you do get to know how the plot will work out.
LibraryThing member andyray
This is Crichton at his best. He has eliminated the problems he had early on about character flatness and his plot unfolds rather than forecasts. We care about these people and when one of them dies we do not want him to die. Well, don't worry. HE/SHE MAY NOT BE DEAD. To have an author use the
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non-fiction novel format and to have him footnote his facts is simplhy wonderful. it guarantees the reader learns something, even if he doesn't follow up the footnotes (he should, thoughl: consider it part of the novel). What we learn in STATE OF FEAR IS: the global warming theory is just that, a theory, and there are as many facts sshowing we ae heading for an ice age as a heat spell and, (2) th environmental concerns aint eartth day headquarters aqt campus center anymore. they arre giant, multi=bilkion dollar corporations with their own special interests in washington, and now may operate as corruptly as enron or big banks do.. Show Less
LibraryThing member dvf1976
Fantastic Crichton.
It has been fun to say "There's no such thing as global warming" in front of my friends and see their reaction.
It has been fun to say "There's no such thing as global warming" in front of my friends and see their reaction.
Awards
Prometheus Award (Nominee — Novel — 2005)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2004-12-07
Physical description
550 p.; 22.7 cm
ISBN
9788777147272
Local notes
Omslag: stoltzedesign
Omslagsillustration: Getty Images
Omslaget viser et mørkt landskab dækket af sorte skyer med koncentriske ringe i
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "State of Fear" af Kim Langer
Side 19: Hun nippede til sin rødvin og stillede glasset fra sig på natbordet. Uden omsvøb trak hun sin top over hovedet og lod nederdelen falde. Indenunder var hun nøgen.
Side 20: Salaud! Salopard! Bouge-toi le cul!
Omslagsillustration: Getty Images
Omslaget viser et mørkt landskab dækket af sorte skyer med koncentriske ringe i
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "State of Fear" af Kim Langer
Side 19: Hun nippede til sin rødvin og stillede glasset fra sig på natbordet. Uden omsvøb trak hun sin top over hovedet og lod nederdelen falde. Indenunder var hun nøgen.
Side 20: Salaud! Salopard! Bouge-toi le cul!
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Pages
550
DDC/MDS
| 813.54 |