TERM PAPER:
As an author, film director, and TV producer, Michael Crichton has become one of the most renowned writers throughout our history. Best known for his fabrication of Jurassic Park, Crichton is also well-known for his role as executive producer in the TV series ER, and his newest controversial book, State of Fear. (Lundy, 2004) Crichton graduated from Harvard Medical School, with a postdoctoral in biological studies. His extensive schooling and creative imagination have contributed to his vast knowledge of science and his passion for writing (Gale, 2006). With such a unique writing style, Crichton has been able to used his publications to portray his strong beliefs on a variety of scientific issues, specifically global warming.
The oldest of four children, Michael Crichton was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 23, 1942. Crichton discovered his passion for writing when he was just a youngster. It’s likely that his father played a large role in his enthusiasm, as he was a journalist and president of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. After high school, Crichton attended Harvard University to pursue an English degree. He later changed his major to Anthropology after much criticism of his writings led to his plagiarizing of a George Orwell essay, on which he got away with and received a B- (Lundy, 2006).
In 1965, Crichton married Joan Radam, his high school sweetheart, while writing novels to pay for his medical training at Harvard. The next year, Crichton’s writing career took off when his first book, Odds On, was published. This, like many other pieces he wrote during his years at Harvard Medical School, was published under the name John Lange to prevent him from being treated differently by both peers and professors while at medical school (Gale, 2008). This book, as well as his other medical school writings, were written primarily for the purpose of paying bills. It was a quick read that was attention-getting, suspenseful, and fast-paced. In 1969 Crichton published his first fictitious novel under his own name, The Andromeda Strain, and this launched his literacy career into existence. He has since published eight pieces under the name John Lange, one under Jeffrey Hudson, and 17 novels under his real name, along with four nonfiction books, and nine screenplays (Gale, 2004).
Over the course of Crichton’s career, he has written many novels and directed several screenplays, many of which he is very well known for. Through all his pieces of work, Crichton has racked up a collection of awards and honors. Some of the more noteworthy honors include the Edgar Award, Mystery Writers of America, in 1968 for A Case of Need, and in 1979 for The Great Train Robbery; Writer of the Year award, Association of American Medical Writers, in 1970 for Five Patients: The Hospital Explained; and most significant of them all, an Emmy Award for best Dramatic Series in 1996 for the hit-television series ER (Gale, 2006).
Michael Crichton’s most recent book, State of Fear, has become not only popular among readers, but has also attracted many different politicians, organizations, and institutions involving natural resources and our environment. In the story, Crichton uses principal characters and organizations as a way to mock real people and organizations. He uses an organization called the National Environmental Resource Fund (N.E.R.F.) that is a slight replica of the Natural Resource Defense Council. In the story, while N.E.R.F. is holding a conference in California on “abrupt climate change” and how much damage man is doing to the environment, a tsunami wave is about to crash upon them. Crichton describes that these environmental groups’ objectives are all about money and power and have nothing to do with the truth (Stone, 2005). This newly published book covers the ideas of global warming and portrays how Crichton disagrees with the common notion that human activity plays a role in global warming. His beliefs have attracted much criticism, mainly from other scientists and organizations that feel the earth’s gradual warming is due to man-made greenhouse gases. In result of the organizations’ criticisms, Crichton found himself in front of the Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works, defending his stance on global warming. As the hearing went on, he gained Senator James M. Injofe’s support when he stated global warming is “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.” In his own way of helping Crichton, Inhofe made it mandatory that all committee members read State of Fear before the hearing. During the hearing Crichton dealt with criticism from Mrs. Clinton and Senator Barbra Boxer and yet he remained calm, never losing his cool (Janofsky, 2005). Though many of his previous novels had been controversial, he admitted that none had been quite like this. Crichton presented enough scientific evidence to back him up in front of the senate, claiming that the environmental movement has done “a lousy job in the last ten years.” Many argue that this book does not exhibit scientific fact. Others say it is simply “nutty.” Still, Crichton stands firm behind his words and endures the ongoing criticism (Janofsky, 2005).
As we have made clear, Michael Crichton has established himself as a literary icon through his diverse collection of writings, movies, and television series. His history of education has greatly influenced each and every one of his works based on the vast knowledge he has gained in the sciences. His intent is to enlighten his audience with aspects of controversial topics, often focusing on global warming. While he has received much criticism from many organizations and institutions, Crichton has always stood strong with his beliefs and has challenged conflicting ideas. Whether he continues to come out with new publications about controversial subjects or not, Crichton will always hold his opinion on these issues, regardless of what other scientists and politicians have to say.