It feels like the drama around Blockchain, digital currency and the dread NFTs have kicked up only in recent years and that the privacy versus government security debate around cryptography, in general, is barely a few years older.
Impressively, Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson was published in 2000. The book, despite the name, doesn’t go headlong into those topics and takes a more interesting human-led approach, but that’s the subject area.
And nazis.
And relationships.
I listened to the William Dufris Audible audiobook version. Audible has the exclusive, so that’s the only place to listen.
It’s a long listen and nearly 43 hours, but I loved every minute of it. Even the icky parts.
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson review
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson is a thrilling novel with a captivating plot and complex characters. It follows the story of two intertwined plots, one set during World War II and the other in the present. The book is filled with suspense, mystery, and plenty of action.
The main characters in Cryptonomicon are Randy Waterhouse, an avowed hacker and entrepreneur, and Lawrence Waterhouse, a brilliant cryptographer. Their intertwined stories are set against the backdrop of the war and the rise of technology.
The plot of Cryptonomicon is complex, fast-paced, and filled with surprises. It follows the two groups of characters as they battle the forces of evil and work together to achieve their goals. At the same time, the book explores themes of cryptography, computer science, and philosophy.
The writing in Cryptonomicon is top-notch, as is the tempo. Stephenson’s prose is engaging, witty, and well-crafted. His characters are well-developed and believable, and the plot is full of unexpected twists and turns.
Overall, Cryptonomicon is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that engages readers and listeners. It is a must-read for fans of science fiction and technology, and it’s an even more engaging read for people tracking what technology is doing to today’s society.
William Dufris as narrator
I’m an audiobook fan, not just because they let me multitask but because of the care and attention the narrators put in. Dufris acts in this unabridged and doesn’t just read, and it’s fantastic.
There’s a diverse cast of characters and, therefore, loads of accents, some will be foreign to you, and I don’t think (I hope) none are offensive stereotypes.
Overall
Simply put, while Cryptonomicon is 20 years old, I only got around to it in 2022 and it is one of my favourite books of the year. It stands the test of time.
Quick Links
- Cryptonomicon on Audible
- Cryptonomicon on Audible Buy Cryptonomicon on Amazon | Barnes and Noble.
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