At the end of his Author’s Message, Crichton writes, “Everybody has an agenda. Except me” (573). Why do you think he included this message at the end of his book? How does the way Crichton merges his views with his characters’ views impact this message?

State of Fear is a fast-paced thriller full of intrigue and danger. With its strongly expressed views on environmentalism, it is also a polemic. What kind of effect do the thriller elements have on the expression of the novel’s ideas, and vice versa?

State of Fear takes a clear stance on the topic of climate change, arguing that the prevailing theory of global warming is erroneous. The novel does not give much opportunity to express evidence for the theory, but which voices promoting it are strongest, and why?