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Book Review of State of Fear

State of Fear
State of Fear
Author: Michael Crichton
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
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This is the typically quick, compelling read that we've come to expect from Crichton, but it is not his finest novel. On the plus side, his book will make you think carefully about the dogma that global warming has become. But, Crichton has taken some serious liberties by misconstruing the science behind the overwhelming support for global warming theory. He unevenly pits strong arguments dispelling global warming against unsupported emotionalism espoused by his "liberal" characters in the novel. Obviously, one benefit of being a fiction author is that you can make a character say whatever you damn well please, making it easy to villify and write off the environmental movement that he tarnishes in this fictional work.

On the whole, I think this book provides a dangerous substantiation of many conservatives' worst exaggerations and prejudices of the left, while glossing over significant research supporting global warming.

Don't read this if you want an unbiased view of the science. Do read it if you want an easy, trashy thriller that's hard to put down.

And Crichton, don't politicize a moral issue.