Difference between revisions of "Cryptonomicon"
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− | [[Image:Cryptonomicon.jpg|thumb|256x256px|]] | + | [[Image:Cryptonomicon.jpg|thumb|256x256px|First edition US hardcover.]] |
− | '''''Cryptonomicon''''' is a novel that is a mix between a historical fiction and techno-thriller by [[Neal Stephenson]], published in 1999. The | + | '''''Cryptonomicon''''' is a novel that is a mix between a historical fiction and techno-thriller by [[Neal Stephenson]], published in 1999. It would later serve as a later book in the chronology of [[The Baroque Cycle (Universe)|The Baroque Cycle]]. The book jumps between two primary stories, one of WWII cryptography and espionage, the other of late-1990s entrepreneurs trying to become both extremely wealthy and change the world by introducing a new electronic crypto-currency. There are several other characters with back-stories that converge on the primary stories. |
− | + | Stephenson created for the book is an ancient book called the ''Cryptonomicon'', a dense tome discussing the growth and progress of cryptography over the centuries, and even talks about its fictional creator in the later book ''[[Quicksilver]]''. I would love to see such a book created in real life! | |
+ | |||
+ | I was already a fan of Neal Stephenson's work having read ''[[Snow Crash]]'' when I a coworker gave great praise after having finished ''Cryptonomicon'', so it was added to my to-read list, but it took several years before I got a hold of a copy (in audio book form) to read it. Once I did, I loved it. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Status== | ||
+ | I do not own this book, but have listened to an audio book recording. | ||
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
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* There are plenty of moments when you want to cheer from a victory, cry from something heart-breaking, and laugh out loud from a clever joke. | * There are plenty of moments when you want to cheer from a victory, cry from something heart-breaking, and laugh out loud from a clever joke. | ||
* I enjoyed the numerous detailed forays into technology and math. | * I enjoyed the numerous detailed forays into technology and math. | ||
− | * | + | * Though cryptographic currencies did exist in 1999 when the book was published, they were still very fringe, so it was very forward-thinking for Stephenson to include them, although, he didn't count on something like [[Bitcoin]] which doesn't need gold backing. |
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
− | * Stephenson's use of jumping back and forth between plot lines effectively | + | * Stephenson's use of jumping back and forth between plot lines effectively holds suspense, while also teasing the reader with premature information, however, the disjointed chapters require the reader to infer a fair amount information and often becomes confusing. |
* Stephenson tends to go on and on about unrelated topics that seem to only exist to pad the book. However, he has such a wonderful writing style, it's forgivable. | * Stephenson tends to go on and on about unrelated topics that seem to only exist to pad the book. However, he has such a wonderful writing style, it's forgivable. | ||
* The ease at which Van Eck phreaking is implemented is far too easy to create. | * The ease at which Van Eck phreaking is implemented is far too easy to create. | ||
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===Ugly=== | ===Ugly=== | ||
− | * Nothing really. This book was | + | * Nothing really. This book was a joy to read. |
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon] - Wikipedia. | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon] - Wikipedia. | ||
+ | * [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/816.Cryptonomicon goodreads.com/book/show/816.Cryptonomicon] - GoodReads. | ||
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[[Category: Favorite Books]] | [[Category: Favorite Books]] | ||
[[Category: Strong Female Character]] | [[Category: Strong Female Character]] | ||
+ | [[Category: World War II]] |
Revision as of 13:23, 14 August 2018
Cryptonomicon is a novel that is a mix between a historical fiction and techno-thriller by Neal Stephenson, published in 1999. It would later serve as a later book in the chronology of The Baroque Cycle. The book jumps between two primary stories, one of WWII cryptography and espionage, the other of late-1990s entrepreneurs trying to become both extremely wealthy and change the world by introducing a new electronic crypto-currency. There are several other characters with back-stories that converge on the primary stories.
Stephenson created for the book is an ancient book called the Cryptonomicon, a dense tome discussing the growth and progress of cryptography over the centuries, and even talks about its fictional creator in the later book Quicksilver. I would love to see such a book created in real life!
I was already a fan of Neal Stephenson's work having read Snow Crash when I a coworker gave great praise after having finished Cryptonomicon, so it was added to my to-read list, but it took several years before I got a hold of a copy (in audio book form) to read it. Once I did, I loved it.
Status
I do not own this book, but have listened to an audio book recording.
Review
Good
- The story is extremely engrossing, and telling the two stories at once is a great way at keeping everything fresh.
- I found practically all of the characters very interesting. The ones I liked, I really liked, the ones I hated, I really hated. Even the villains were quite human and relatable.
- There are plenty of moments when you want to cheer from a victory, cry from something heart-breaking, and laugh out loud from a clever joke.
- I enjoyed the numerous detailed forays into technology and math.
- Though cryptographic currencies did exist in 1999 when the book was published, they were still very fringe, so it was very forward-thinking for Stephenson to include them, although, he didn't count on something like Bitcoin which doesn't need gold backing.
Bad
- Stephenson's use of jumping back and forth between plot lines effectively holds suspense, while also teasing the reader with premature information, however, the disjointed chapters require the reader to infer a fair amount information and often becomes confusing.
- Stephenson tends to go on and on about unrelated topics that seem to only exist to pad the book. However, he has such a wonderful writing style, it's forgivable.
- The ease at which Van Eck phreaking is implemented is far too easy to create.
- I didn't much care for how the book finishes in such an open-ended fashion.
Ugly
- Nothing really. This book was a joy to read.
Links
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon - Wikipedia.
- goodreads.com/book/show/816.Cryptonomicon - GoodReads.