From the bestselling author of Jurassic Park, Timeline, and Sphere comes a gripping thriller about the shocking demise of eight American geologists in the darkest region of the Congo. Deep in the African rain forest, near the ruins of the Lost City of Zinj, a field expedition is brutally killed. At the Houston-based Earth Resources Technology Services, Inc., a horrified supervisor watches a … horrified supervisor watches a gruesome video transmission of that ill-fated group and sees a haunting, grainy, man-like blur moving amongst the bodies. In San Francisco, an extraordinary gorilla named Amy, who has a 620-sign vocabulary, may hold the secret to that fierce carnage. Immediately, a new expedition is sent to the Congo with Amy in tow, descending into a secret, forbidden world where the only escape may be through the grisliest death.
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Though describing plot related to 1976-8 and technology in there (computers and the net) in the rudimentary stage (but very advanced comparable to the rest of the world) I read the book in one breath. it is very interesting to see how the development of technology now has surpassed all the expectations and predictions of those times. Cheers to the Moore’s Law!
great book, bad movie
Adventure on a grand scale as a motley collection of scientists, mercenaries, marketing directors and African spear-carriers tromp through the Congo in search of a lost city of diamonds. Though an early book where the rough edges show in places, this book is so much fun to read you don’t care. Amy, the gorilla, is easily the best character. (And no, that’s not a slam.) Highly Recommended. A
Interesting but an unsatisfactory ending. Seemed like the author was in a hurry to wrap things up.
Not up to his usual standards. Too short and not much character developement.
A winner
Actually the movie and book are pretty close.
Lives up to the author’s reputation for excellence.
Classic Crichton
I loved this book…couldn’t put it down!
Fantastic, basically any thing this author writes is unbelievable a page turner. Try one of his books an you too will be searching for more !
Pull up a chair and stay awhile, because Congo is a mile-a-minute thriller you won’t want to put down. After a field expedition mysteriously dies in the darkest region of the Congo, a new expedition is sent in to investigate on behalf of Earth Resources Technology Services: a Houston-based tech company searching for a rare diamond that could change the state of modern warfare at the speed of light.
The recon expedition brings together an ensemble cast of characters all with their own reasons for venturing into dangerous jungle territory, from a lifelong search for the Lost City of Zinj, to the reintroduction of a gorilla fluent in sign language back into the wild.
If you’ve seen the movie but haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it. I found Crichton’s bestseller a lot darker—and at parts even horrifying—especially when compared to the Hollywood take. If you love Crichton’s other sci-fi thrillers, this one’s for you.
Moves along well. Written in easily understood manner, but not too simple.Enjoyable reading as it compels you along.overall story very coherent and motivating.@00001ron
Recommended by a friend who loved it. Not one of my favorites.
So important to read, it is timeless in that it reflects current events in Congo.
My expectations for Michael Crichton are always high and this book did not disappoint!
It was a fun read – but not realistic
Interesting story. Some of the details were a bit wordy which is mainly why I didn’t give it five stars. Kept me turning the pages though.
Interesting story but the technology stuff was way over my head!I liked the movie a lot so I thought I should read the book too, I wasn’t disappointed with either one.
Not up to the author’s other stuff. Read it a couple of weeks ago and I’m trying to remember what it was about.