Author Reccommendation: Neal Stephenson
Here are five books by author Neal Stephenson I want to recommend to everyone.
1. Seven Eves
Hard (meaning concern for scientific accuracy and logic) Science Fiction Novel. My favourite book from Neal, and my favourite book in general, up until now.
Synopsis
The story tells of the desperate efforts to preserve Homo sapiens in the wake of apocalyptic events on Earth after the unexplained disintegration of the Moon and the remaking of human society as a space-based civilization after a severe genetic bottleneck.
What makes it so good?
- The incredible technical detail. Makes it feel SO REAL. So believable.
- The characters are incredible and likeable. Their ordeal, their hardships are out of this world.
- It's so riveting. So exciting. You can't wait to see what happens next.
2. Snow Crash
Future Science Fiction (Dystopia? I'm not so sure.) Neal coined the term Metaverse in this. (It's true, google it! That's where it comes from.)
Synopsis
Enter the Metaverse - cyberspace home to avatars and software daemons, where anything and just about everything goes. Newly available on the Street - the Metaverse's main drag - is Snow Crash. A cyberdrug that reduces avatars in the digital world to dust, but also infects users in real life, leaving them in a vegetative state.
This is bad news for Hiro, a freelance hacker and the Metaverse's best swordfighter, and mouthy skateboard courier Y. T.. Together, investigating the Infocalypse, they trace back the roots of language itself to an ancient Sumerian priesthood and find they must race to stop a shadowy virtual villain hell-bent on world domination.
3. REAMDE
A technothriller set in present day. Incredible Main Character Zula, who is just about as badass as it gets.
Synopsis
REAMDE centers on the plight of a hostage and the ensuing efforts of family and new acquaintances, many of them associated with a fictional MMORPG, to rescue her as her various captors drag her about the globe.
4. Cryptonomicon
My introduction to Neals Work. Incredible if you're interested in the history of code breaking and WW2.
Synopsis
Set in two different time periods. One group of characters are World War II–era Allied codebreakers and tactical-deception operatives affiliated with the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, and disillusioned Axis military and intelligence figures. The second narrative is set in the late 1990s, with characters that are (in part) descendants of those of the earlier time period, who employ cryptologic, telecom, and computer technology to build an underground data haven in the fictional Sultanate of Kinakuta.
5. Termination Shock
In Neals most recent novel, he describes a near future in which climate change -- and ways to deal with it -- play a major role. Guest Appearances of the LAC (Line of actual control) where China and India battle with sticks and stones in the Himalayan mountains (again, google it if you don't believe me.)
Synopsis
The book is set in a near-future when climate change has significantly altered human society and follows the attempts of a solar geoengineering scheme. The novel focuses on the geopolitical and social consequences of the rogue fix for climate change
Don't be scared if you think it's too technical or complicated!
These wouldn't be good books if there weren't interesting, fascinating characters, romantic subplots, and truly emotional moments. Technical stuff is explained very well.
Enjoy!
Here are five books by author Neal Stephenson I want to recommend to everyone.
1. Seven Eves
Hard (meaning concern for scientific accuracy and logic) Science Fiction Novel. My favourite book from Neal, and my favourite book in general, up until now.
Synopsis
The story tells of the desperate efforts to preserve Homo sapiens in the wake of apocalyptic events on Earth after the unexplained disintegration of the Moon and the remaking of human society as a space-based civilization after a severe genetic bottleneck.
What makes it so good?
- The incredible technical detail. Makes it feel SO REAL. So believable.
- The characters are incredible and likeable. Their ordeal, their hardships are out of this world.
- It's so riveting. So exciting. You can't wait to see what happens next.
2. Snow Crash
Future Science Fiction (Dystopia? I'm not so sure.) Neal coined the term Metaverse in this. (It's true, google it! That's where it comes from.)
Synopsis
Enter the Metaverse - cyberspace home to avatars and software daemons, where anything and just about everything goes. Newly available on the Street - the Metaverse's main drag - is Snow Crash. A cyberdrug that reduces avatars in the digital world to dust, but also infects users in real life, leaving them in a vegetative state.
This is bad news for Hiro, a freelance hacker and the Metaverse's best swordfighter, and mouthy skateboard courier Y. T.. Together, investigating the Infocalypse, they trace back the roots of language itself to an ancient Sumerian priesthood and find they must race to stop a shadowy virtual villain hell-bent on world domination.
3. REAMDE
A technothriller set in present day. Incredible Main Character Zula, who is just about as badass as it gets.
Synopsis
REAMDE centers on the plight of a hostage and the ensuing efforts of family and new acquaintances, many of them associated with a fictional MMORPG, to rescue her as her various captors drag her about the globe.
Cryptonomicon
My introduction to Neals Work. Incredible if you're interested in the history of code breaking and WW2.
Synopsis
Set in two different time periods. One group of characters are World War II–era Allied codebreakers and tactical-deception operatives affiliated with the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, and disillusioned Axis military and intelligence figures. The second narrative is set in the late 1990s, with characters that are (in part) descendants of those of the earlier time period, who employ cryptologic, telecom, and computer technology to build an underground data haven in the fictional Sultanate of Kinakuta.
Termination Shock
In Neals most recent novel, he describes a near future in which climate change -- and ways to deal with it -- play a major role. Guest Appearances of the LAC (Line of actual control) where China and India battle with sticks and stones in the Himalayan mountains (again, google it if you don't believe me.)
Synopsis
The book is set in a near-future when climate change has significantly altered human society and follows the attempts of ascheme. The novel focuses on the geopolitical and social consequences of the rogue fix for climate change
Don't be scared if you think it's too technical or complicated!
These wouldn't be good books if there weren't interesting, fascinating characters, romantic subplots, and truly emotional moments. Technical stuff is explained very well.
Enjoy!
