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Don Swaim Interviews

Audio Interviews with Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton, M.D., author of The Andromeda Strain, Congo, The Great Train Robbery and Jurassic Park, talks with Don Swaim in 1983 about Crichton's two computers, and the false illusion that only kids can learn a computer.

Listen to the Michael Crichton Interview with Don Swaim, 1983
(18 min. 56 sec.)

Michael Crichton talks in 1987 about computer advancements, and his novel, Sphere, which includes many references to computer programs and codes which can be difficult to translate to other languages. He also discusses the pros and cons of writing novels verses screenplays.

Listen to the Michael Crichton Interview with Don Swaim, 1987
(22 min. 38 sec.)

In this 1988 interview, Michael Crichton sidestepped away from his usual kind of novel to write Travels, which is about his own experiences traveling, and is in some ways autobiographical. He decided to write the book as a personal challenge to himself. In his own opinion, the most difficult book to write is a book about personal matters.

Listen to the Michael Crichton Interview with Don Swaim, 1988
(35 min. 10 sec.)

Back again in 1992, Michael Crichton talks about his novel, Rising Sun. This book has such a swirl of controversy surrounding it that Don Swaim bluntly asks as his first question what Michael Crichton has against the Japanese. Part of the book came about from his frustrations of watching business practices between Japan and America. He spent three years living in Japan, and has a strong opinion about their culture.

Listen to the Michael Crichton Interview with Don Swaim, 1992
(28 min. 01 sec.)