Bill wrote: "GR Blog post about the Crichton release with a link to an article here: Crichton post

Apparently Pirate Latitudes was so complete that Crichton e even included a style guide to make sure the edi..."

nice, thx for sharing. If I'm not mistaken, the last time Crichton wrote about non-modern era was in Eaters of the Dead.

GR Blog post about the Crichton release with a link to an article here: Crichton post

Apparently Pirate Latitudes was so complete that Crichton e even included a style guide to make sure the editors didn't foul up spellings. Another work was found that was not complete, but they'll probably release that somehow.

Anyone already bought Pirate Latitudes A Novel? My friend said this is the first (of possible two) of his posthumous novels.

Sorry to hear of him passing. He was one of the more sober voices of AGW and I agree with his POV on the subject. BTW as an aside Greenpeace Canada is non tax exempt as a "charity." In other words you don't get a tax receipt when you make a donation.

Becky wrote: "Silvana, I believe that the books on the group bookshelf are the group reads. I've just looked and I didn't see any of Crichton's books there. I would definitely love to discuss one though. "

Indeed, Becky. I recall that some of his books made into the nomination lists for group reads but never got enough votes to be selected :(

Shall we wait for such moment to happen or could we just make our own discussion? For the latter option, maybe we should talk to the group leaders.

I still have Prey left unread, but wouldn't mind to discuss State of Fear, Next, or any of his books.

Silvana, I believe that the books on the group bookshelf are the group reads. I've just looked and I didn't see any of Crichton's books there. I would definitely love to discuss one though.

Has one of his books ever discussed as book of the month here?

Already tried to use the search engine but no resulted thread.

My favorite was Eaters of the Dead as well (IMHO the movie was good as well). I liked Jurassic Park, Congo, The Andromeda Strain and Westworld too. I haven't really tried the rest yet.

Bunny, for some reason my mind always forgets to file "The Great Train Robbery" under Michael Crichton, but that was a great book. Very interesting.

If I shunned authors who held different worldviews than I do, there wouldn't be much to read.

I've never read a Crichton book, but this is sad none-the-less.

I particularly enjoyed Eaters of the Dead and The Great Train Robbery. For some reason those two stuck in my head after others faded away to the point where I no longer remember much about them.

He was a talented and intelligent writer. And he entertained a lot of people.

too bad for Crichton and his family. And I don't care what he believed, I'm here for books that give me entertainment, not to confirm or challenge my already entrenched beliefs.

Leslie,

As I said You may not have been aware that the term had negative connotations or intended a negative connotation.

I simply stated that it could be offensive to some people.

I do not beleive your statement was out of bounds. But the phrasing was "unintentionally" offensive.

For the record, I used 'global warming denier' as a descriptive term for Mr. Crichton's opinion. He did not think global warming existed as a problem that was caused by human activity, and therefore saw no reason to take action to mitigate it's effects. He denied it's existence as a problem. This is not an insult; it's a statement of fact. My comment was perfectly appropriate because the thread was about Michael Crichton. If I'd thrown it in during a discussion of one of his books, then I'd agree that that would be out of bounds.

I bear no ill-will to Mr. Crichton as a writer, nor as a person; however, I am within my rights as a citizen of a free society to post my criticism of a position I disagree with on a public forum. It is not 'parading', it is participating.

Dov, I won't apologize for my opinion--I have a right to it, and last time I checked, that's legal. I've been polite and respectful to you, and you've not afforded me the same courtesy, which is sad.

This will be my last post on this thread.

Well yeah, denier is not a word in good company; tends to imply a refusal to accept something well established, usually for political reasons. Holocaust Denier being the strongest example of the use of the term. So I suppose you could say it was a somewhat negative word choice, but I still say that the overall sense of the post was not offensive.
I agree with Simon, the smart choice is to err on the side of being too protective of our home Earth rather than not being protective enough!

Ahh ... no it isn't. The term "Global Warming Denier" is actually descriptive and makes NO use of derogatory slang what so ever. Any attempt to equate such is patently dishonest.

Not that it is really relevant, but global warming denier is indeed a term that is normally used in a derogatory manner. If you need references, they are all over the place.

The fact is that we really don't know for sure one way or the other. For millions of years, our planet has gone through tremendous volatility. From its volcanic formation, to floods and then the ice age, to many climatic weather fluctuations, and now our current manmade pollutions and still mother earth survives.

We may not know all the facts, but one fact does remain: Can we take the chance that our only home and existence doesn’t need a helping hand from us? Instead of pointing the finger at the most visible polluters we should instead point the finger at ourselves because collectively we as individuals are the problem.

Ahh ... no it isn't. The term "Global Warming Denier" is actually descriptive and makes NO use of derogatory slang what so ever. Any attempt to equate such is patently dishonest.

IMHO Leslie stated an opinion ... which is welcome here. On the other hand, DOV engaged in a personal attack ... which is not. In addition, DOV has yet to actually engage in the discussion outside of said attack. You may acknowledge that you disagree and discuss why you disagree ... but you do not speak for the group nor Goodreads as a whole, so demanding people apologize to them for posting their opinion is out of bounds.

Going forward I ask all parties to engage in more substance and less heat; otherwise this thread will be locked. Thank you for your cooperation.

use of the name "Global warming denier" is considered derogatory. It is intendend to state that anyone who thinks this way is in denial and a fool. It is insulting.

Now I do not know if Leslie intended it to be this way or was unaware of the connotations attached to the use of the Title.

Any one that reads knows that words can harm and hurt more than sticks and stones. (or whom have a teenage daughter)

Many terms used are not intended as insulting but because of contexts they have ben used in can be very insulting, even if the person using them is not aware of it.

Some common examples. When you are negotiating for a good deal some people will call it "jewing them down" without a thought. Say that to a Jewish person and you will find they are offended.

The term Gerry rigging or the N word rigging. is insulting Germans or african americans. I use the term MCGivering. does not insult anyone.

There are thousands of such terms. "Global warming Denier" is one such term.

Dov as far as I am concerned Leslie did not say anything that was uncalled for. She said she disagreed with Michael Crichton's opinion on global warming and wished he had been less outspoken about it, but that he was a talented writer none the less. That is an entirely appropriate comment from my point of view and not disrespectful. Didn't she say he was talented? She has the right to disagree with his opinions. I don't understand why you are getting so het up over it. Also, I did not say that this was a book club and not a place to discuss political ideas. I think a book club is a perfectly fine place to talk about all kinds of ideas, what else is a book club for? What I said was that this is a science fiction book club and so the people in this club should have some idea of how science works and what it is and is not about. And my name is not BuntWar. Seriously, relax!

I'm sorry Leslie but, what you said was uncalled for and insulting. and as BuntWar says this a book club, a place to discus ideas of the books that authors have written. not a place to parade your political ideas, or criticize how people live with their ideas. You comment was plain right inappropriate. I believe you owe an apology to the people of goodreads! Not an apology to your believes, God-forbid. but an apology for posting that comment where it does not belong.

bunwat,

you are absolutely correct. At one time steady state was the theory of the universe. then the big bang took over. Now we are talking about super strings and brane theories and multiverse.

I don't think we have enough data to know absolutely the cause of climate change. Is it possible we are having an effect sure. but it could be a cooling effect. We have eliminated the gas emmisions of 100's of million of buffalo. Methane is also a hot house gas.

Save the world by outlawing spice food.

:P

Come on people, this is the science fiction book club. Surely here if anywhere people understand the difference between scientific study and public policy making. Science works slowly, it builds and tests theories and is very reluctant to make pronouncements of absolute certainty. As it should be. Policy makers can't afford to wait for scientific certainty before acting, they have to act on the preponderance of the evidence before events pass us by. The preponderance of the evidence and the majority opinion among scientists is that carbon emissions are contributing. That's good enough. As Kevin says, we need to clean up our act, and waiting for science to dot the last i and cross the last t before we do so is not reasonable. That doesn't mean scientists can't challenge the majority conclusion, heck its their job to test and challenge theories to make sure they hold.

theory is a high level of confidence in the relm of science.

climate change is a fact. our contibution or the fact that our carbon emission is having a significan effect is very much still being debated.

The majority of climatologist believe it is contributing but there are many who disagree. Crichton is one of those who disagreed.

The evidence is not incontrivertable.

Dov;

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but so am I, and I find it inappropriate and disrespectful that you accuse me of lying. I in no way suggested Mr. Crichton was evil! I stand by my comments.

Climate change is not a theory; it is fact. It is also a fact that the majority of climate scientists today agree that the climate change our planet is experiencing at present is a direct result of the burning of fossil fuels. You can attack me all you want, but it doesn't change the facts. Look them up. There are many reputable organizations and institutions that have put out info on climate change. One of them is the Pew Center, but perhaps the most reputable one is the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change, an international body of scientists set up by the World Meteorological Organization and the U.N.Environment Program. It's a non-partisan body whose sole purpose is to objectively assess all scientific and technical data relevant to Earth's climate. Anyone who is interested in the IPCC can visit their website at http://www.ipcc.ch.

It is also a fact that the fossil fuel industry has been behind the funding of climate change denial research. ExxonMobil has been perhaps the biggest contributor. This can be verified by an Internet search.

I don't especially wish to debate this issue here on Goodreads. I was simply pointing out a piece of information on Mr. Crichton that some people might not have known. I don't think he was evil--that's simply a ridiculous assertion--what I DO think is that he was on the wrong side of this issue.

I have studies the issue of glodal warming. There have been periods when the earth was far wrmer than it is there were periods that the earth was colder.

our weather is accually much calmer and stable then the historical record shows in the past.

I am not a scientiest but reputable scientist do not agree. Glodal warming has become more of a political issue than scientific.

The truth is the issue of global warming is not the important one. I saw a sign in a zoo that said "We did not inherit the earth from our parents we are borrowing it from our children"

Whether you buy into global warming or beleive the climate changes are simply within the normal range. (There are scientist that have pointed out that a single volcanic erruption releases more CO than humans can in 20 years)

We need to clean up or act. Recycle where we can. keep the air and water clean. You shouldn't pee in your bathwater.

Leslie: Speaking ill of people? He was a "Global warming denier" therefore that is 'evil' and and you speaking ill of him? Furthermore most reputable climate scientists agree to the THEORY of GW you say. Well, hate to call you out like this but that is a lie, or are you saying they are only reputable if the agree to GW? as it happens GW is still only a theory with littler proven facts about it one way or the other. a theory just like evolution and even more still gravity!! yes a theory!! With evolution, as Michael Crichton says many times in his books that is hotly debated on both side of the coin. So you, Leslie, because you are on the other side of the coin, and disagree with his views he is wrong and you are right? and you say you speak ill of him for not agreeing With you!? That my friend is the exact problem with most religions in the world the are unaccepting of other religions, either they are infidels, or nonbelievers and and not meritorious for absolution! and that was even a point (ok, side of a side point in his book Next)

But in other light i would like to say that Michael Crichton is a great loss to all of fiction lovers. I grew up with Dinosaurs in my eyes and dream because of him. To me they're will always be a place on my Bookshelf for Michael Crichton.

I hate to speak ill of the dead, but Michael Crichton was a major global warming denier, and quite public about it. This doesn't negate the fact that he was a very talented author, but he did the planet and humanity a great disservice by using his fame to cast doubt upon what most reputable climate scientists the world over have agreed is the single most pressing issue of our time.

I really liked Airframe, but then I worked in the aerospace industry for 19 years. Prey was my all time favorite, closely followed by Jurassic Park.

Along with John Grisham, Crichton was one of my first "adult" authors that I started reading when I was 11. Sphere and The Andromeda Strain lured me in right away and fascinated me.

I think the only books of his that I haven't read are State of Fear, Airframe, and his newest(?) genetics one. Timeline was fantastic. Jurassic Park has been begging for a reread. The Lost World was great and it was such a shame that the movie totally sucked.

I cried when I read the news. Crichton has always been one of my favourites (I even wrote about his work for my honour's thesis). His ability to generate discussion and to reach a huge audience doing it was remarkable. We have lost one of the truly talented popular authors of our time.

I have several of his books & also mourn his passing. The Andromeda Strain movie (1969) prompted me to read the book. I then went on to learn about the dangers of positive feedback in The Terminal Man. I also read a few others, including Jurassic Park, but the first two were the ones that stuck with me for years.

Wow - sad to hear.
I've never read anything of him but seen a few movies based on his books, Jurassic Park of course.

Ive only seen the film adaptations and never read his books. I love watching thrillers, but not reading them. Anyways, I heard earlier that he had died and news of this sort usually spreads faster, but everyone I had been telling earlier hast believed me.

Anyways, to the point: In Pace Requiescat Michael Crichton

Wow. Sad news indeed. I loved Jurassic Park and Sphere.

My favorite book and movie and mini-series is based on The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton. I also liked Jurassic Park and Timeline.

I heard this on the radio this afternoon. I didn't know he was sick, either. He was only in his mid-60s.

Never have read his books (not my type) but did see the movie, Jurassic Park once--I got too tense while watching it and had to leave the room for a few minutes because of the velociraptors. And this was viewing it at home with all the lights on. I don't do "thrillers" very well.

O my! I didn't realize he was battling cancer!

I've always enjoyed his novels.

So sad.

Very sad to hear that Michael Crichton passed away yesterday from cancer.