I first wrote ER back in 1974 as a record of my experiences as a medical student in a hospital emergency room. But it was not until the fall of 1994, 20 years later, that these stories appeared as a new television series. That must surely be the longest creative gestation in modern television, but it was worth it. Audiences found the show to be fast-paced, fresh and real, and it drew a loyal following from its very first episode. But if the past was remarkable, the future was even more so: none of us involved in those early days of ER could have anticipated its long and remarkable run as one of the best and most popular television shows in the history of the medium. From its early days to the exciting present, it's been one long thrill for me, and I think for audiences as well. Enjoy! Michael Crichton, June 2003