Not content with writing sexist garbage like "Disclosure", and setting back Japanese-American relations 50 years with "Rising Sun", Michael Crichton is now demonising environmentalists with his new novel.

Crichton already nailed his right-wing colours to the mast over the matter of climate change with a 2000 lecture entitled, "Aliens Cause Global Warming". His scientifically-dubious argument was that climate change was an ideologically-motivated theory, like the existence of aliens (because, of course, Mr. Crichton is entirely untainted by ideology). Ergo there's no way to predict the next 100 years, so why do anything. QED, or something...

His new novel goes further, with a plot about eco-terrorists creating climate chaos in order to stop honest good-ol'-boy Americans driving their freedom-lovin' SUVs. Review here:  http://www.slate.com/id/2110815/

He's in London signing the novel tomorrow. Don't know if anyone's planning anything but it'd be cool if he could receive a warm London welcome.

Details below:

"Michael Crichton - State of Fear

W1, Waterstone's Piccadilly. Free

203-206 Piccadilly
Underground: Green Park and Piccadilly Circus
Saturday, 11-Dec-04, 11am

Michael Crichton - State of Fear

In this exclusive UK signing, the internationally renowned author of 'Jurassic Park' will be signing copies of his gripping new techno-thriller, 'State of Fear'.

Signing - no ticket required

For further information please contact the following number or e-mail:  enquiries@piccadilly.www.waterstones.co.uk.


Phone: 020-7851-2400
Dates
Saturday 11 December


Be sure to check details with the organizers before you go."