The Andromeda StrainThe Andromeda Strain
Score Classic
What it's about
A satellite crashes near a small town in New Mexico, and almost everyone there dies. A team of scientists races to identify the deadly extraterrestrial microorganism it brought back, before it spreads. Michael Crichton's novel is written as a report of their efforts.
Why it's worth reading
It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1969. It established Michael Crichton as a master of the techno-thriller.
You'll love it if you liked
Jurassic Park
The Hot Zone
PreyGood to know
It's full of technical detail, presented as if real.
By the numbers
- Readers17 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller62 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #223 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #406 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #640 of the 762 classics we rank
- #2223 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Michael Crichton
Jurassic Park
The Lost World
The Great Train RobberyPreyIf you like this, read next
A Clockwork Orange
Neuromancer
The Robots of Dawn
The Martian
Gideon the Ninth
The Tainted CupExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Andromeda Strain worth reading?
Yes. It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1969. It ranks #2,223 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 61.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Andromeda Strain about?
A satellite crashes near a small town in New Mexico, and almost everyone there dies. A team of scientists races to identify the deadly extraterrestrial microorganism it brought back, before it spreads. Michael Crichton's novel is written as a report of their efforts.
How long does it take to read The Andromeda Strain?
About 8 hours (331 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Andromeda Strain?
If you liked it, try Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, The Hot Zone by Richard Preston or Prey by Michael Crichton.