How is it that a man who died in 2008 is pumping out more work than I am? As far as I know, I’m still alive. But that’s exactly what’s happening, as the legend Michael Crichton, who passed away 8 years ago from cancer, is still releasing books after all these years.
Variety reports that a long-lost Crichton book, DRAGON TEETH, is about to be published by HarperCollins. The book is a story about the real-life rivalry of two paleontologists, Edward Drinker Cope and Othniel Charles Marsh, during “The Bone Wars” in 1870. The “Wars” was a period of intense feuding between the two when a plethora of dinosaur fossils were being discovered, but hit its peak when Cope and Marsh started to make things personal, attacking each other’s credibility and resources.
HarperCollins put out a statement about the book saying:
The story unfolds through the adventures of a young fictional character named William Johnson who is apprenticed first to one, then to the other and not only makes discoveries of historic proportion, but transforms into an inspiring hero only Crichton could have imagined.
Known for his meticulous research, Crichton uses Marsh and Copes’ heated competition during the ‘Bone Wars’ — the golden age of American fossil hunting — as the basis for a thrilling story set in the wilds of the American West.
Even his widow, Sherri, commented:
When I came across the ‘Dragon Teeth’ manuscript in the files, I was immediately captivated. It has Michael’s voice, his love of history, research and science all dynamically woven into an epic tale.
Publisher Johnathan Burham discussed the book, classifying it as “pure Crichton,” and saying it’s a work of, “exuberant imagination operating at full blast, taking readers on a ride into a world of wild adventure, with a plot full of exciting twists and turns, and a host of memorable characters.”
Now I know many of you are saying, “Isn’t this a movie website?” Yes it is, and be quiet for a second. This is news for the film world as well, because Crichton has had numerous popular movies made based on his works including, but not limited to: JURASSIC PARK, THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, CONGO and SPHERE. If this book is a success, the movie rights will be swept up quicker than you can say “dino bones”.
While you wait for the book to come out here's a reminder of what happens when you mix the awesomeness of Crichton and the glory of dinosaurs.