About the Author Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton (pronounced cry-ten), also known as John Michael Crichton, M.D., (October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008) was an American author, producer, director, and physician, best known for his work in the science fiction, medical fiction, and thriller genres. His books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide. As the creator of the TV series ER, most famously as the author of Jurassic Park, and its sequel The Lost World, which were both adapted into high-grossing films and led to the very successful franchise, in 1994, he became the only creative artist ever to experience chart-topping success in America with a film, a television series, and a novel, all at number one simultaneously. Many of his other novels were also made into films.
His literary works were usually based on the action genre and heavily featured technology. His novels epitomized the Techno-thriller genre of literature, often exploring technology and failures of human interaction with it, especially resulting in catastrophes with biotechnology. Many of his future history novels have medical or scientific underpinnings, reflecting his medical training and science background. He was the author of The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Disclosure, Rising Sun, Sphere, Timeline, State of Fear, Prey, and Next, the final book published before his death.