http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/11/67369/

Prolific novelist and "ER" creator Michael Crichton has passed away. He was 66.

Perhaps best known for being the author of Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World, which were turned into a hugely successful movie franchise, his numerous books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide.

In what his family calls an unexpected death, it was revealed that he was waging a private battle against cancer.

"While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us -- and entertained us all while doing so -- his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes," his family tells ET. "He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget."

i wasn't a fan of his writing, but it's sad to see a prominent american writer go. RIP

I enjoyed reading "Jurassic Park" when I was younger and still enjoy the movie. I still have "The Andromeda Strain" but have yet to read it (I plan to). Like you said, it's sad to see him go. It say on wikipedia that he sold over 150 million books. That's pretty amazing in its self.

I used to read his books when I was in junior high or so... The Jurassic Park books, the Andromeda Strain, The Congo, and especially Sphere. Not sure what I'd think of them if I read them now, but I remember enjoying them, and if they didn't bore me to death when I was in junior high, that's something.

I also enjoyed reading Jurrasic Park when it came out. I missed it at the cinema, and since it took forever until the video came out I settled for the book.

RIP.

sad news.
i loved sphere, i read it 2 or 3 times. the movie was horse shit.

Sphere was probably the best movie ever made in the history of movies.

Ah that's sad news. I enjoyed his Jurassic park books, particularly the second one.
May he rest in peace.

RIP. One of the guys that got me into reading a lot when I was young.

to this day is still remember reading Jurassic Park. its the book that got me into reading at a kid. after that i read all of his books. the andromeda strain, sphere, congo, all of some my favorites till this day.

cancer is a fucking bitch.

Very sad to hear this. RIP.

Sphere is such a great book. Such an abysmal movie.

I can remember reading that in high school and staying up until like 3 am to finish the last 150 pages because I couldn't put it down.

The Andromeda Strain is pretty great, especially considering it was his first novel. Congo I couldn't get into.

It's top 5, no doubt.

I'm crushed. I haven't read all of his books, but I would count myself a fan.

Jurassic Park was the first "grown up" novel that I read.

He will be missed.

way bummer RIP

Obviously you've never seen Rising Sun.

Finally, an ending that makes sense.

Ouch.

Sad news. I've always enjoyed his work, though i haven't read one in a while (and i STILL haven't read Jurassic Park ). Andromeda Strain, Sphere, Timeline...some of my favorite reads in high school. He was one of my favorite pop-sci-fi writers .