How many Michael Crichton books have you read? Which is your favorite?

I recently finished reading an older book that I’ve always wanted to read, but had never gotten around to, Michael Crichton’s 1980 science fiction novel, “Congo.”

This novel begins when an expedition to the African Congo is wiped out while searching for rare, technologically valuable diamonds. Another expedition, which includes a highly intelligent gorilla that can communicate with sign language, is dispatched to the jungle to continue the search for diamonds and to determine exactly what happened to the first expedition. They end up in the Lost City of Zinj and King Solomon’s fabled mines only to find it protected by a race of intelligent gorillas and an active volcano that’s about to blow its top.

I decided to read this book when I saw that it was one of three Crichton novels included on a recommended reading list compiled by The Art of Manliness web site called “The Essential Man’s Library: 50 Fictional Adventure Books.” The other two Crichton novels to make the list were 1990’s “Jurassic Park” and 1995’s “The Lost World.” I’ll probably get around to both of those soon, and I suspect, based on their enduring popularity, that they’re as good or better than “Congo.”

Many of you will be familiar with “Congo” thanks to the 1995 film version of the book that starred Tim Curry, Laura Linney, Bruce Campbell, Delroy Lindo and Dylan Walsh. Famous musician Jimmy Buffett also made a cameo appearance in the film as an airplane pilot. The movie was directed by Frank Marshall and reaped over $152 million at the box office.

More than a few Crichton books have been turned into blockbuster movies. Crichton died of throat cancer in November 2008, and has 31 of novels and non-fiction books to his credit, including two novels that were published after his death. What follows is a complete list of his books. Those that have been adapted to film as of this writing are indicated with an asterisk.

1. Airframe (1996)
2. The Andromeda Strain (1969)*
3. Binary (1972)
4. A Case of Need (1968)*
5. Congo (1980)*

6. Dealing (1970)*
7. Disclosure (1994)*
8. Drug of Choice (1970)
9. Easy Go (1968)
10. Eaters of the Dead (1976)*

11. Electronic Life (Nonfiction, 1983)
12. Five Patients (Nonfiction, 1970)
13. Grave Descend (1970)
14. The Great Train Robbery (1975)*
15. Jasper Johns (Nonfiction, 1977)

16. Jurassic Park (1990)*
17. The Lost World (1995)*
18. Micro (2011)
19. Next (2006)
20. Odds On (1966)

21. Pirate Latitudes (2009)
22. Prey (2002)
23. Rising Sun (1992)*
24. Scratch One (1967)
25. Sphere (1987)*

26. State of Fear (2004)
27. The Terminal Man (1972)*
28. Timeline (1999)*
29. Travels (Nonfiction, 1988)
30. The Venom Business (1969)
31. Zero Cool (1969)

In the end, I really enjoyed reading “Congo,” and I’m looking forward to reading “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World.” How many of you have had the chance to read “Congo”? What did you think about it? Did you like it or dislike it? Why? How many of Crichton’s other books have you had the chance to read? Which was your personal favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.