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A review of Disclosure

by Michael Crichton

The Unusual Sexual Harassment Case

Reviewed by: Twelve
About Twelve

Disclosure I think I speak for many when I say that my first introduction to Michael Crichton was through the movie, JURASSIC PARK. After seeing that film and realizing that it was based on his book of the same title, I considered Crichton to be a master of science-fiction storytelling. I happened to come across other books of his, books that weren't under the science-fiction genre. Naive boy that I am, I assumed that these non-sci-fi books would be no where near as good as something like 'The Andromeda Strain'. On whim, I decided to read 'Disclosure', not expecting much. After all, it's impossible for a writer to skillfully write in more than one genre...right?

It wasn't long into the book when I realized that Crichton is indeed that rare writer who can mesmerize and provoke his audience in more ways than one. 'Disclosure' is a book that basically possessed me until the very last page. I was neglecting work to read it, carrying it wherever I went, waking up and going to sleep with it...I didn't want the book to end. Despite my attempts to take my time and not eat it up too quickly, I couldn't help myself.

It's about a rather successful business man named Tom Sanders, in a marriage that can be described as somewhere between happy an unhappy. He feels rather secure with his high position in his electronic firm, yet Crichton does a good job accurately portraying the dark, mysterious depths of every large business hierarchy. It's never a good idea to feel secure, and there can be situations where your closest business partners suddenly become your deadliest enemies. So it is with Tom, who is manipulated and pushed into a sexual harassment battle. Though it is typical to see the scenario where the male, like Tom, is the one pushing and manipulating a woman to act according to his pleasures, this time it's different. What does a man do in a situation where he is accused of sexual harassment, yet it is in fact the other way around?

Tom ends up in a phenomenal mess. Crichton very realistically describes a normal man with normal flaws, caught up unfairly in a battle where defeat means utter humiliation and victory is not much better. He shows how the politically correct rules of American society can be cruel and unforgiving. He very logically reveals that, while the feminist movement has indisputable benefits, there is, like every movement, ways where it can be misplaced and abused. Last but not least, Crichton isn't just making things up: this tale is based on interviews of people who were involved in a similar situation. For men, especially for those in the business world, this can be a very important read.

Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: Disclosure

Copyright © by Twelve, 2003

Reviewed by Twelve :
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-- The Sigma Protocol - by Robert Ludlum
-- AKIRA, Volume 1 - by Katsuhiro Otomo
-- Valhalla Rising - by Clive Cussler
-- Warrior Class - by Dale Brown
-- The Dreamthief's Daughter - by Michael Moorcock
-- Jupiter - by Ben Bova
-- Celtika - by Robert Holdstock
-- Knots and Crosses - by Ian Rankin
-- The Dragonbone Chair - by Tad Williams
-- Corpse Candle - by Paul Doherty
-- Flood Tide - by Clive Cussler
-- Samurai! - by Saburo Sakai
-- The Sky of Peleg - by Twelve
-- Disclosure - by Michael Crichton
-- Pawn of Prophecy - by David Eddings









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