Cryptonomicon
Cryptonomicon
Neal Stephenson
Peter Thiel
The early PayPal team worked well together because we were all the same kind of nerd. We all loved science fiction: Cryptonomicon was required reading. - Peter Thiel
Tobi Lütke
I read [this book] 20 years ago or so. - Tobi Lütke
Ev Williams
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
Cameron Winklevoss
Love [this book]! - Cameron Winklevoss
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4
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Cryptonomicon

Cryptonomicon

Neal Stephenson
By
Neal Stephenson
4.2
6100
ratings on Goodreads

In the labyrinthine saga that is "Cryptonomicon," Neal Stephenson weaves a complex tapestry that stretches across decades, from the dark turmoil of World War II to the digital frenzy of the late twentieth century. Amidst the backdrop of global conflict, a cadre of extraordinary individuals—brilliant mathematician Lawrence Waterhouse, intrepid marine Bobby Shaftoe, and the enigmatic Dr. Alan Turing—engage in a clandestine war of codes and deception, striving to outmaneuver the Axis powers without revealing the extent of their intelligence breakthroughs. Their legacy, a baffling mix of heroism and cryptic machinations, cascades down to their descendants, who face their own cybernetic conundrums in an era defined by the quest for digital sovereignty and the shadows of past intrigues. The narrative deftly navigates between the analog and digital ages, exploring themes of secrecy, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Randy Waterhouse and Amy Shaftoe, heirs to their forebears' genius and grit, embark on a daring venture to erect a data haven free from the clutches of governmental oversight, all the while untangling a historical puzzle that could lead them to a fortune hidden from the spoils of war. Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon" is a monumental ode to the power of information, both as a weapon of warfare and a tool for liberation, masterfully encapsulating the eternal battle between suppression and enlightenment. With its richly constructed worlds and deeply human core, the novel stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of secrets and the lengths we go to uncover them.

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Released
1999
1 May
Length
1152
Pages

4

recommendations

recommendation

Love [this book]! - Cameron Winklevoss
I read [this book] 20 years ago or so. - Tobi Lütke
The early PayPal team worked well together because we were all the same kind of nerd. We all loved science fiction: Cryptonomicon was required reading. - Peter Thiel
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
Arguing with anonymous strangers on the Internet is a sucker's game because they almost always turn out to be—or to be indistinguishable from—self-righteous sixteen-year-olds possessing infinite amounts of free time.
— Neal Stephenson, Cryptonomicon

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