5 years ago I stepped on my bike to go and get a then newly released copy of 'State of Fear' at the American Book Center.
I had been calling the bookshop endlessly, driving them crazy, asking "Is it there yet, is it there yet?".
I was so eager to get it.

Getting State of Fear was an event in my life, reading it even more so.
I still think it will take a couple of more generations before we really see the value of that book.
But anyway; when I finally had it, I was so happy I made my very very first post on the MC message board.
It was a simple account on how I had stepped on my bike to go and get State of Fear at the ABC.

I had to think of that today, as I sat in the city bus (no biking today) on my way to ......the American Book Center, again after numerous stalking phone calls: "Is it there yet, is it there yet?; this time referring to Pirate Latitudes.
On my way back home, my newly acquired treasure truly treasured in my shopping bag, I had to think of my very first post and the time I biked to town to get State of fear.
From there my thoughts trailed to the on line SoF course in which MC gave his readers a chance to discuss the book with him directly, another event I'll never forget.

And now Pirate Latitudes is lying next to my computer, waiting to be opened and read.
On the one hand I'm so very grateful MC was able to finish this book;
on the other I'm strongly aware this book is published posthumously and that the times when MC would indirectly respond or participate in events are definitely over.

It will give a different feel to reading Pirate Latitudes.

hey! Talking about the first Crichton book I read, I found my first Crichton book quite by chance. My dad's friend had left it here at home when he was here for a couple of days. I was an avid reader then. But when I first read the book I stopped right after around 30 pages. The start of that book was particularly slow and boring. I'm talking of Prey of course. But when I made a second attempt at it, I finished it with the same day. I read it through the dead of the night and it gave me the creeps! That moment on I was hooked and he had become my favorite author indefinitely.

His passing was a shock. His ideas, thoughts, beliefs and words will stay etched in my mind forever. Never has the world seen such a rightful and truth seeking man. The world withstands a great loss at his demise.

No one will ever replace you.

Thank you for everything. You will be bitterly missed.