[Infowarrior] - RIP Michael Crichton

[Richard Forno]

Family: Michael Crichton dies of cancer  	
Nov 5 02:58 PM US/Eastern
By HILLEL ITALIE
AP National Writer

http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=D948URK81&show_article=1

Michael Crichton, the million-selling author of such historic and  
prehistoric science thrillers as "Jurassic Park," "Timeline" and "The  
Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer, his family said.

He died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after a long battle with the  
illness.

Chrichton was a brand-name author, known for his stories of disaster  
and systematic breakdown, such as the rampant microbe of "The  
Andromeda Strain" or dinosaurs running amok in "Jurassic Park," one of  
his many books that became major Hollywood movies.

"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to  
students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and  
illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all  
understand," his family said in a statement.

The 6-foot-9-inch author was also a screenwriter and filmmaker,  
earning producing and writing credits for the film versions of many of  
his titles. He also created the TV hospital series "ER" in 1994.

In recent years, he was the rare writer to get on well with President  
Bush, perhaps because of his skepticism about global warming, which  
Crichton addressed in the 2004 novel, "State of Favor." Crichton's  
views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that  
the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions  
of carbon dioxide.

A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next  
month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed  
indefinitely because of his illness.

"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 said.

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