Crichton=s research is very accurate and detailed. This fact can be traced to Crichton=s extensive education, both formal and informal. Born John Michael Crichton in Chicago, Illinois, he was raised in Roslyn, New York. Crichton graduated from Harvard University, were studied to become an English major, but converted to studies in anthropology. After graduating summa cum laude, Crichton taught anthropology for one year a

Michael Crichton is the author of eleven thrillers under his given name. All eleven of these novels have made the best-seller list, and earned Crichton a notable reputation. Crichton=s first novel The Andromeda Strain was written as a means of income for Crichton while he was in school. When the novel was published Crichton experienced minimal fame around the Harvard campus. More importantly, however, this novel established Crichton=s reputation as a writer. The novel itself is about an alien virus that lands in the remote New Mexico desert, and the scientists that study and ultimately get rid of the virus. This novel contains subtle hints comparing it the alleged alien landings in Roswel, New Mexico and alien studies conducted in Area 51 in Nevada. Crichton puts his own creativeness into this work using the general public=s curiosity concerning alien matters, only this time the invader is a virus. Another aspect of this novel that makes it so compelling is as Richard Shickel of Harper=s Magazine states, AMr. Crichton has spared no effort in his attempt to make us believe that The Andromeda Strain could happen here.@ The factual information and even the fiction aspects of this work are a product of Crichton=s exposure to the medical field at school. Crichton uses computer printouts, biological references, and fictional government documents to lend authenticity to this story. (Marowski 1) This is the first of many instances where Crichton uses his knowledge and experience to excite his readers.

Crichton also experimented with psychic phenomenon and became a professed spiritual pilgrim. Crichton admits to participating in practices such as acupuncture and Aaura-fluffing.@ (Jaynes 2) Crichton himself says, A Sometimes I thought, *You=ve been in California too long, and you=ve gone from a perfectly O.K. doctor to a guy who lies on a couch while someone puts crystals on him and you actually think it means something, but it=s nothing but a lot of hippie-dippy-airy-fairy baloneyY.@ (qtd. in Jaynes 2) Crichton has explored the landscape of the mind and the planet, and uses what he has discovered to create stories that sell.

To totally grasp the scope of Crichton=s success, it is beneficial to see actual sales figures. Crichton=s most popular book, Jurassic Park, has sold nearly 10 million copies. In addition to this book, Crichton has written 24 other novels of which 20 made the best-seller list. (Jaynes 1) Three movies spawned from Crichton=s books did very well at the box office. Congo, Jurassic Park, and The Lost World were each popular in their respective seasons. It is quite obvious that Michael Crichton has found a niche in the science fiction world. Whenever adventurous, knowledgeable, and exciting storytelling is desired Michael Crichton delivers.

Crichton=s writing experienced a dry spell in the early eighties, when he said, A Writing was very difficult for me.@ Instead of writing Cr

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Approximate Word count = 1981
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)