FREE Shipping on orders over $25.

Used - Good | See details
Sold by Take Cover!.
 
   
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (TM) [Hardcover]

James Rollins
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover --  
Paperback --  
Mass Market Paperback $7.19  
Audio, CD, Audiobook, Unabridged $24.33  
Audible Audio Edition, Unabridged $20.95 or Free with Audible 30-day free trial
Summer Reading
Summer Reading
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store.

Book Description

May 20, 2008 Indiana Jones
“The name is Jones. Indiana Jones.”

He’s back. Everyone’s favorite globe-trotting, tomb-raiding, wisecracking archaeologist is finally at it again–hurtling headfirst into high adventure and relying on his wits, his fists, and his trusty bullwhip to get him out of deep trouble. But the man in the jaunty brown fedora and battered leather jacket is no ordinary digger in the dirt. From the fabled lost Ark of the Covenant to the legendary Holy Grail, he’s salvaged the world’s most amazing artifacts, while beating the baddest villains and defying the most breathtaking odds.

Now it’s 1957, the atomic age is in full swing, and McCarthy-era paranoia has the nation on edge. But for Indiana Jones, the Cold War really heats up when his latest expedition is crashed by a ruthless squad of Russian soldiers. Commanded by a sword-wielding colonel who’s as sinister as she is stunning, the menacing Reds drag an unwilling Indy along as they brazenly invade American soil, massacre U.S. soldiers, and plunder a top-secret government warehouse. Their objective: a relic even more precious–and powerful–than the mythic Ark, capable of unlocking secrets beyond human comprehension.

Fast thinking and some high-speed maneuvers help Jones turn the tables, and a one-in-a-million escape narrowly saves him from certain death. But when he’s tarred as a suspected spy and fired by his university, Indy thinks it may be time to hang up his hat.

Fate, however, has other plans. Suddenly the road to retirement takes a sharp detour when a colleague’s kidnapping leads Jones into the depths of the Amazon jungle on a desperate rescue mission. With a hot-headed teenage biker as his unlikely wing man and his vengeful new Russian nemesis waiting for a rematch, Indy’s back in the game–playing for a prize all the wonders of the world could never rival.


Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you're an Indy fan, you won't be able to put this down." Love it! 20080603 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

JAMES ROLLINS is the New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages. His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the "top crowd pleasers" (New York Times) and one of the "hottest summer reads" (People Magazine). In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets--and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Del Rey (May 20, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345501284
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345501288
  • Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Questions from Readers for James Rollins

Q
I just finished reading The Blood Gospel at around 1AM and loved it. couldn't put it down. When is the series going to continue or is it on its way already. I love stories like this and am great fan of series stories?
Carmen asked Jan 30, 2013
Author Answered

Absolutely! The date is not yet released but I will let everyone know via my newsletter once the date is known.

James Rollins answered Feb 5, 2013

Customer Reviews

The book just makes me want to see the movie even more. T. E. Sadler  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
This book is a typical Indiana Jones action adventure. Red Rose  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it! May 25, 2008
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Indiana Jones has become a larger than life hero in terms of American films. He's been missed for a long time. I know they were waiting for just the right version of the script, and then when announcements were made about the film, most of us couldn't wait -
When I saw that the novelization of the movie was being co-launched at the time of movie opening, I did a WOW - when I saw it was James Rollins, I knew it was going to be great, and in my opinion, this book delivers everything an Indy fan could ask for.
I am going to see the movie tomorrow, but the book was written in such detail it was like a movie in your mind. James Rollins, whose Sigma Force is a wonderful book series, knows how to make magic and adventure. George Lucas selected well by Rollins.
The reunion between Indiana and Marian from the 1st and the best of the series was great and believeably handled...as far as a situation dealing with Indiana Jones is concerned. Mutt, a young man, Marian's son, soon proves himself to be quite the adventurer.
They deal with Communists who are trying to control ancient crystal skulls, and the plot deals with the conflict and mistrust of persons in the 1950's where Communists were being looked for all over - even in the entertainment industry, and all walks of life.
I found this novelization to be a wonderful addition to the Indiana Jones legend. I look forward to the next Sigma Force book, as one of my favorite character's life is up in the air -
There are some folks who are not into Indiana Jones, and don't like that he has aged - but the fact that a lot of us care for the character and will have a lot of fun with this installment.
Well written and I put the cart before the horse and read the book before seeing the movie, but feel it will be a great accompanyment to the experience.
James Rollins did a great job. Think you will enjoy the book too.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT adaptation of the film June 26, 2008
Format:Hardcover
I was unbelievably excited when I heard that the 4th Indy movie was going to happen--this time for sure...but like many, I was a bit worried due to what the Star Wars prequels turned out to be like, that somehow, someway George Lucas would manage to screw this one up, too. I am happy to say that Crystal Skull is in every way a fantastic yarn every bit in the vein of the original trilogy.

I was equally excited when I found out (from James Rollins himself) that he had been tapped to novelize the screenplay. James is if nothing else an accomplished author who you can tell simply LOVES adventure tales and Indiana Jones in particular--reading any number of his books will tell you that. He even has a VERY Indiana Jones-like character in 'Sandstorm' named Omaha Dunn, which sounds a bit like Indy, don't ya think? Call it James' way of a tribute to one of the big screen's greatest action heroes. I seriously doubt when James wrote 'Sandstorm' that this opportunity to write an Indiana Jones novel would EVER come to pass, and yet it did and we are all fortunate as a result.

There are roughly 4-5 additional scenes in the novel that were not in the movie, and a couple major scenes are in the opening chapters of the book. James gives us the background for HOW Indy and his partner end up in the hands of Soviet agents at Area 51. I like the entire tie-in with Area 51 to be honest...it seems to fit in perfectly with the whole Indiana Jones history quite well, and of course Rollin's rides this wave as far as it'll take him and us, and lucky for us we go FAR.

While I missed Henry Jones Senior, Marcus Brody and of course his intrepid sidekick from Raiders and Crusade, Sallah played by John Rhys-Davies, I DID like the addition of Mutt, the character played by Shia LeBeouf, and I won't spoil anything by telling you who he is--read or see the movie to find out for yourself. The action, whether it be outlandish or believable, in the hands of Rollins' capable hands, always played out a little easier to swallow than on the big screen, and I don't know exactly why...but it WORKED.

With that said, I MUST admit that while 98% of the book and movie were absolutely WONDERFUL, the last part--and for those who have read the book and seen the movie, you know what I'm talking about--well it was a bit OUT there, even for me...and to give you an idea, I am quite a sci-fi fan. I felt that ultimately the whole idea of aliens would have been better served if the story had seen less of that rather than more. Keep the mystery going--but I certainly don't fault James Rollins for how Lucas wrote the story and how he HAD to write the novel in concert with the movie. On the contrary, I feel that given what he had to work with, I really enjoyed how it was written.

In a nutshell the best word to describe how I felt about reading this book and seeing the movie was this: FUN. And isn't that all we really want out of an action/adventure tale in the first place? Kudo's to James for yet another great example of his talented ability to write.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Well... May 25, 2008
Format:Hardcover
I guess I can say that I'm glad this book was able to explain for me some of the finer details in the overly-obtuse plot that plagued the movie. I recommend seeing the movie first, and then reading this book. I went into the movie with low expectations and was still slightly disappointed, but I suspect that if the movie had played out exactly as this book is written, it would have been a lost less painful to watch.

All said, I'm more satisfied with the book than the movie.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best!
One of the best of the series. It was good to see an old man action figure. Also good to see the old flame resurface! And with a surprise no less!
Published 3 months ago by Rebecca Johnson
3.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre novelization combined with a bland reading equals a poor...
To be clear, this is a review of the audiobook of James Rollins' novelization of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rhindle The Red
5.0 out of 5 stars Great closure for great characters
I really like this movie because it is fun and full of action, but most of all because it continues the lives of the beloved characters from the Indiana Jones The Lost Ark.
Published 4 months ago by Vicki L. Stokes
5.0 out of 5 stars NOT THE MOVIE
I SAW THE MOVIE THEN READ THE BOOK. I DON'T KNOW WHICH CAME FIRST BUT THE BOOK IS FAR BETTER THAN THE MOVIE. I WOULD TELL PEOPLE THAT YOU SHOULD READ TH BOOK. Read more
Published 15 months ago by MANBRD
2.0 out of 5 stars An action-lover's feast
I don't know which came first, the screenplay or the novel, but the movie follows the book almost word-for-word, or visa versa. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Stoney
5.0 out of 5 stars Rollins is a Modern Day Midas
Rollins is a Modern day Midas (The Greek myth of King Midas who and whatever he toutched turned into gold)
Rollins took a movie put it to words and gave action/adventure genre... Read more
Published on April 27, 2011 by JamesRollinsAndClemensFan01...
4.0 out of 5 stars A great way to enjoy the movie
I have a couple books by James Rollins, but Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the first one I've read. Read more
Published on June 18, 2010 by James Rada, Jr.
4.0 out of 5 stars Cameras, Lights, Action!
This books follows the script of the movie closely so if you have seen the latter the plot will be known to you. Read more
Published on May 9, 2009 by Douglas P. Murphy
4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the movie
If you weren't thrilled with the movie, don't be put off by the book - the whole family enjoyed listening to this on a recent trip. Read more
Published on February 22, 2009 by S. K. Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars (Unfortunately) Better than the Movie
It's something of a cliché to say that any novel is better than the movie made from it. However, when you consider that this Audio CD is really a novelization based on the... Read more
Published on December 25, 2008 by Wayne Beckham
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Forums

Topic From this Discussion
why did Indy's father die?
Because he left the Grail Temple. That was the catch... you could have eternal life, but only if you stayed in there. He had to be content with just getting his wound healed.
Jun 3, 2008 by Joseph P. Menta, Jr. |  See all 3 posts
Have something you'd like to share about this product?
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions


So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category