In Rising Sun, Crichton takes a step back from the science world to give his thoughts on the world of business. It's not a usual topic of his - superbugs and mechanics and illness being his forte - but it is a subject that the author really seems to take to.

I'm certain that there's been criticisms of this book here as racist. Indeed, Crichton's feelings about the need to protect America's businesses from Japanese takeover are addressed in a final, nonstory chapter. However, the subtlety of understanding of the Japanese character the author shows through his work indicates that he's more interested in the national identity in terms of how it interacts with the US, rather than straight-out bashing.

It's difficult to read this book without picturing the film's leads speaking its lines. Connor will always feel wrong if imagined (by me, at least) as Connery. But that said, it's a slightly flabbier affair than the film. Where some plot turns were tightened in the film, though, a feeling of quiet observation was lost.

Fortunately, there's enough business-as-war, Japanese-against-gaijin drama here to forgive the occasional sloppy prosework. This isn't the greatest book ever, but as a quick excursion into Japanese business in the US in a particular timeframe, it's really worth your time.