I really like all of Crichton's books... except this one. There is just too much long winded preachy dialogue ... which gets annoying and also makes the dialogue unrealistic. He hammers his points again and again so often I lost interest, got fed up and skimmed over the multiple pages of speeches.

A very disappointing book.

Didn't think I'd like this book much since it had some political undertones but it was very good. Michael Crichton sited a lot of material throughout the book give the story backbone.

Yeesh.

Entertaining story. Makes one rethink the global warming epidemic.

Thought provoking, but difficult to get through. I found it impossible to relate to any of the characters and really couldn't wait until the story came to a close.

Getting through this book was a challenge. It was essentially sermon on the shallowness of Hollywood liberal activists. Surprisingly unenjoyable to read.

State of Fear is a poorly disguised vehicle for Michael Crichton to lecture the reader about Global Warming. Because apparently Crichton is a climate-change denier (something that disappointed me, as I've read and enjoyed many of his books). I disliked the obvious agenda behind the story, especially because it involves dishonestly manipulating data and facts.

The main character, Peter Evans, is obviously meant to think like the reader, with preconceived notions about climate change. The problem is that all environmental activists in the book are portrayed as really stupid and ignorant, contrasting markedly with the deniers, who are all intelligent and articulate. Perhaps that is how Crichton sees the debate, but my experience is the reverse.

Since there are too many things I disliked about this book, I'd like to mention few things I got out of it, and reasons why I gave it two stars (as opposed to one):

1. Debates about controversial subjects in science are often very heavily politicized. One way or another, most studies have an agenda.

2. Anti-climate change arguments should not be dismissed as simply industry and corporations talking. There should be healthy debate on the issue without resorting to ad hominem attacks, and that is not always the case.

3. Celebrities often take positions on issues (like vaccines) without understanding the facts behind them.

4. People sometimes hold the correct views for incorrect reasons. If you hold a view on an issue, make sure you've understood the issue properly, rather than just parroting the words of others.

Although I don't agree with his argument, Crichton summarized one side of this debate in an effective and somewhat entertaining format. Hence the two stars.

10 Word Review: Spoiler Alert... ends with me hurling it against the wall.

I enjoyed a lot of aspects of thus book. It was engaging enough that I easily listened to it over the course of 2 days while driving. Without getting into details, In my opinion, the message of the book is to be a better informed citizen, not blindly accept information put out there - news is biased and people with agenda, especially on a national scale, have resources that allow them to understand human psychology and get what they want. We’re all being manipulated in one way or another - not necessarily saying that in a bad way, just that we should be aware of that and taking everything you hear with a grain of salt. Pretty applicable to the political climate in the US today.

I wanted to give the book 4 stars but was annoyed with the attitude towards women in the book. There are more words to describe women other than “beautiful” and just because a woman is opinionated/driven/direct doesn’t mean she’s bossy.