These book jackets pretty much cover what Michael Crichton is known for – cutting edge, thriller fiction that takes us into what if land. What if some billionaire cloned dinosaurs and turned it into a theme park (Jurassic Park). What if time travel was a scientific experiment that worked – sort of (Timeline). What if a gorilla hybrid ape could talk (Congo).
Crichton (1942-2008) the novelist captured what every novelist hopes to capture – suspense from the opening paragraph to the end of the book, you were hooked. There was no opening one of his novels in the bookstore, for a cursory peek, and oh maybe I’ll buy it. You opened it, read the first few paragraphs, and plunked down your $. It was his gift.
But my favorite among his books is Travels, published in 1988. Nonfiction. Brilliant. It’s the story of Crichton’s journey from a medical student in the mid to late sixties to his vast, exotic travels and his evolution as a novelist. I first read it around 1990, read it again maybe 10 years ago, and re-read it during our trip to Aruba, I wanted to be reminded of the importance of travel.
“Often I go to some distant region of the world to be reminded of who I really am,” he wrote in the opening pages of Travels.” There is no mystery about why this should be so. Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily routines, your refrigerator full of your food, your closet full of your clothes- with all of this taken away, you are forced into direct experience. Such direct experience inevitably makes you aware of who it is that is having the experience. That’s not always comfortable, but it is always invigorating.”
My first read of Travels impacted me profoundly. My second read confirmed certain paths I’d taken. This third read, I admit, was twofold: for the travel part of it, but also to understand how Crichton, who had written so brilliantly about mystical elements in the nature of reality, had become a climate change denier. This from a man who had climbed Mount Kilamanjaro but apparently didn’t think that its lack of snow was telling.
In Travels, he talks not only about his travels, but about chakras, health in the Louise Hay/Abraham/Hicks mode (we create our realities), about psychics and quantum physics and so many of the topics we’ve posted about on this blog. Every time I read this book, I’m transported. I feel like this is the genuine Crichton, the real guy. The man in Travels is a guy who read Seth, got psychic readings, traveled to understand who he was and who he might become. What changed him into a climate change denier? I stopped buying his books once I read about his politics.
In 2008, at the age of 66, he died from cancer. In Travels, he talks about his early days in medical school, and his ultimate views on health echo Abraham/Hicks, Seth, Louise Hay: the mind creates the dis-ease .How did this guy become a mouthpiece for Bush?
I no longer care about how or why. In reading Travels for the third time, I’m blown away by Crichton’s brilliance.
– Trish
I will definitely give this book a try. Thanks Trish
Bush's lights were out, Cheney and company were running the show. I will never understand how Crichton couldn't see that.
It kind of makes me wish that Michael Crichton left behind a completed autobiography or memoir that hasn't been found yet. I agree with you that Crichton's turn towards "right-wing" politics in the last few years of his life is baffling, considering the topics he has written about and some of the things he has done in life. As smart as he is, wouldn't he have been able to tell what a complete ignorant moron Bush was just in talking with him? Many European leaders felt that Bush wasn't playing with a full deck, thus why they were weary about supporting his policies or being seen too close to him.
Barbara – good points. I remember reading that after State of Fear was published, Crichton advised Bush about climate change – i.e., that it wasn't happening or wasn't manmade.
It blew me away. I just couldn't reconcile that bit of information with the guy who had written Travels, who had climbed Kilamanjaro, who had gone to psychics, who had sought to make himself a better human being.
I read this books years ago, and after your post will be looking for it again.
As for Chrichton's politics, did anyone consider he moved in that direction because of certain influences from the government? (i.e. there was a little too much truth in the subject matter of his many novels).
Great analogy, Sansego. The planet as bi-polar. Sure seems to fit.
I read that climate change could possibly mean colder winters and hotter summers, some places get more rain than usual, resulting in devastating floods, while other areas get drought. In other words, its an imbalance…no moderation. Kind of as though its Mother Earth's version of being "bi-polar."
I'll put that book on my list. I haven't read it, but I've always loved his books. I have to admit it does feel colder. This last winter was deep in snow at Lake Tahoe, and so far down in the valley it is very cool for summer. Climate change doesn't have to mean hotter temps – just out of the norm temps. Right? Hotter in some places and colder in others.
hmmmm…about climate change, i had one of those universally oriented dreams last night in which we were living in a much colder climate – the landscape was very much like that of the tundra in greenland – and we [people] were building by hand geodesic dome houses – the sun was shining but the land was rugged and virtually barren and cold with patches of snow/ice and a cold wind – clothing was scarce – it was not a "modern" way of life as we know it – but the people looked well-nourished – anyway, just one of those dreams that you remember –
It's interesting to note that not so long ago climate change was dismissed by the last administration, which had a track record of ignoring science. Now, even the most ardent opponents of legislation that would place limits on carbon emissions admit that climate change exists. Their efforts instead are directed at denying that humans play a role.
Crichton has been my favourite writer since I first discovered his novels in 1993 and I've read them all. "Congo" still remains as my favourite novel of his. I agree that "Timeline" was his last truly great novel.
Some of my liberal friends lost interest in him when he came out with his controversial "State of Fear" novel, which people think is a climage change denial novel. However, that novel was about the use of fear to manipulate people and it featured a terrifying Tsunami scene (this novel came out just before the Christmas 2004 tsunami).
I read an interview with him regarding his view on climate change and he simply wasn't convinced that it was a real problem, because there had been predictions of global cooling. He also has the reputation for taking an argument and spinning it, much like his novel "Disclosure" was about a woman sexually harassing a man.
When he died shortly after election day 2008, a friend of mine joked that Crichton probably didn't want to live through the Obama administration, so his soul checked out. I had the same thought myself, wondering if he was just too upset by the election that he didn't want to live anymore.
I last read "Travels" in 1996, but your post inspires me to pick it up and read it again, since so much time has elapsed since I last read it, that I might get a lot of new insights out of it.
Kroaky,Ignorance must surely be bliss.
cjc
>>The truth is this carbon footprint idea is just fantasy backed by fudged data payed off by the elite.
You're spouting Beck and Limbaugh talking points, Mr. K. Try some science.
https://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Carbon%20emissions%20having%20harmful%20lasting%20impact%20oceans%20Reports/3166754/story.html
I don't think you are understanding my comments! It is quite clear we are having a big impact on our 'enviroment' and I agree with all of your statements except that the increase in Carbon Dioxide is caused by us!
Nature is cyclical and global temperature will continue to increase and decrease whether we are here or not (as it has for thousands of years)The sun, being 98% of the mass of our solar system is the driving factor of climate change. Why else are all the planets in our neighborhood experiencing changes too?
In fact Global temperatures have been decreasing in the last 10 years. Most of the independant scientists are reversing their stance now, since climategate blew of the lid on this whole thing, and it is the oligarcs of big buisiness that are still trying to peddle this scam.
We could go round and round in circles and it's obvious we are not going to agree, but the truth is this carbon footprint idea is just fantasy backed by fudged data payed off by the elite.
>>The truth is out there!
Yes, and here it is, though you won't like it.
Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction. By these and other standards, it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet.
That's accepted by the vast majority of scientists. There for a few who are paid by corporate honchos to present a counter view in order to avoid costly changes in the way they do business.
Trish and Rob MacGregor said "The idea that 6 billion people aren't leaving a carbon footprint is naive. The gusher of oil in the gulf is man made and will have repercussions for decades. That's a big footprint. And just one of many."
In reply:-
The impact 6 billion people are making on the climate is miniscule, it is naive to suggest the oil gusher will have any impact on global temerature. There is a big difference between harming the envionment and changing the climate! Sounds like you have been sucked in by the imagination of Al Gore's lust for wealth via a global carbon tax!
The truth is out there!
Once again, Connie's words really make enormous sense to me.
A book not to be missed, by the looks of it!
what an incredibly interesting post and dialogue here – of course, i'm unable to write more now as i'm rushing over to amazon to grab a copy – wonderfully inspiring informative post!! thanks so much for bring C into the limelight here!
Ah, a voice from the pro-pollution lobby! – R
wv:chroyboy choirboy?
The idea that 6 billion people aren't leaving a carbon footprint is naive. The gusher of oil in the gulf is man made and will have repercussions for decades. That's a big footprint. And just one of many.
What turned him into a climate change skeptic? (Not denier, that implies he is denying something factual)
Maybe because he found out the truth!
He never said he didnt think climate change is happening, in fact quite the opposite, he said it was, but, there is no evidence it is man made, which there isnt.
Lord Monkton explains a lot as to why, also research 'Climategate'
With all the research I'v done, I still cant believe people still think we can have any impact on the global climate whatsoever. I mean, the Iceland volcano sent more CO2 into the atmosphere than our industry has in the last 100 years!
I am an advocate of taking care of the envioment.
Musing – I'm with you all the way on this one. The cactus speaking chapter is just amazing. I rreread that chapters after I read Brugh Joy's book. I've often wondering if the psychiatrist named Judith that he mentions is Judith Orloff. & the seth stuff…that hit home for me as well.
I don't remember how or when the old Ballantine Books paperback edition of "Travels" fell into my existence, but it has graced all of my bookshelves and never once been put in the "maybe I'll pass this on" stack destined for Half-Price books or yard sale.
I re-read "Travels" annually and get the same thrill each time I read the end of the chapter entitled "Psychiatry" where he describes the little bookstore in Maui where he first read the Seth books, Carlos Castenada and Ken Wilbur. Long before the internet I thought I was only one of a handful of folks familiar with Jane Roberts and the mind-expanding philosophies of the Seth Material.
Imagine my joy when I discovered that a best-selling novelist had dipped into those same beloved pages. I've used "Travels" through the years as some use the Bible to guide and give direction.
Opening a page at random with a clear question in my mind has provided lifepath info that the I Ching could not rival.
Whenever I feel isolated and alone I turn to the chapter on "Cactus Teachings" to restore my sense of connection to Source/Greater Self.
Thank you MacGregors for todays post and for introducing to many readers the other sides of Crichton (rhymes with "frighten") as it states on the back inside cover of my beloved black-spined Ballantine Book.
I got hooked on Crichton's novels in high school, and he quickly became my second favorite writer (after Rob, of course!) His stories truly are brilliantly conceived, and you really can't put them down once you start. In fact, Jurassic Park is my default travel reading novel, which I always take with me on long trips (flights, trains). Those familiar words keep me wrapped in a blanket of security when I am removed from my comfort zone. At best estimate, I've read JP nearly 200 times, a feat I've only matched with Rob's Indy novels. Unfortunately, Crichton's last few novels didn't really wow me. His last brilliant story was Timeline, and I also enjoyed Pirate Latitudes. It will be interesting to see how his very last book turns out. It was only 1/3 completed at the time of his death, and his publisher has commissioned another writer to finish the story from Crichton's notes.
Yet another book to add to my list – thanks. Travel creates magical situations.
Yes, he sure could write and sell those books. And Travels really is a brilliant journey.
Will have to purchase and read TRAVELS. Sometimes, I think, some folks who have such extraordinary brilliance are not necessarily aware of the goings-on in the mundane world, or if they are, sometimes their views are distorted because most of their mind-power is still and always connected to the sphere in which their particular brilliance expresses itself. That connectedness to otherworldly realities, or non-realities as the case may be, seems to prevent their consciousness from truly comprehending and/or absorbing ideas such as climate change and even the BushCo business. These folks are separated, it seems, from these mundane issues of life and their perception seems blocked by their very brilliance, which is locked into their specific areas of genius. We benefit greatly from the inventions and visions of their greatness, such as the books by Crichton, yet are puzzled by their apparent lack of discretionary choices in the world we share with them, yet not. However, as you so succinctly noted, his books are sources of tremendous pleasure and information, so we tend to accept his eccentricities in spite of their strangeness, and enjoy his gifts! It seems a fair exchange! cjc
A lot of stuff I didn't know about him! A climate change denier? How could he miss the clues? Well, it goes to show we all have blind spots; or can get into a tunnel stage.
But, he could write and sell those books.
I also stopped reading his books once I learned of his puzzling politics (to me at least). But this book I cannot miss. I'm going to read it! Thank you.