Michael Chrichton was an amazing Author, and I really need to go back and re-read some of his books again. I loved the fact that his books were just out there enough to be science fiction, but it was believable science fiction. That was such a fascinating thing for me as a kid.
Sounds like you enjoyed the nonfiction more than the fiction out of him. My favorite book of his was Airframe. It really changed the way I look at flying, how easily we blow things out of proportion. And once again, Occam's Razor proves itself right.
Actually, I do love his fiction, @ddrfr33k. And you're so right... it's believable science fiction! I do remember reading Airframe. It's been years. I love when you can learn about history through fiction.
Ain't that the truth. And his was rooted in enough fact to actually be slightly informative!