Neal Stephenson Books In Order

Publication Order of Baroque Cycle Books

Publication Order of D.O.D.O. Books

Publication Order of Foreworld Saga Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Foreworld Saga: Cimarronin Graphic Novels

Publication Order of Bomblight Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Neal Stephenson, otherwise known as Stephen Bury, is a science-fiction writer with a deep love for the arts. From a young age, Stephenson was fond of coming up with stories, and once he went full-time into writing, he has never stopped. Some of his notable works include Reamde Anathem, Cryptonomicon, Snow Crash, and The Diamond Age.

Snow Crash

Snow Crash tells the story of Hiro Protagonist, a man who is determined to save the world and the courier girl who helps him complete his mission. By day, Hiro delivers Pizza, but away from his main job, he is a warrior prince. Currently, he is dealing with a new computer virus that is taking down hackers. In between rushing to deliver food on behalf of Uncle Enzo’s pizza place, he has to try and take down a shadowy villain determined to cause an infocalpse. Join Hiro on his adventure as he gets in and out of the Metaverse.

Set in the future, this book paints the picture of a world ruled through capitalism and anarchism. Laws and governments are a thing of the past, and private entities are in charge of law enforcement. In this future world, Pizza is also big business controlled by the mafia. Technology is on the next levels but with these advancements come with some new challenges. As Hiro struggles to balance all his roles, a skateboarding courier helps him complete his deliveries on time.

Away from Pizza and Hiro’s sword fights, a deeper conspiracy is brewing. There are mind-altering drugs wreaking havoc in the community, religion, and civilization issues to contend with. Read about computer hackers who work hard to build the Metaverse only to bend the rules to fulfil their desires. There is also a religious cult that is creating problems on one side and a mutant motorcyclist out to get his revenge. Will Hiro and his 15-year-old helper triumph over all the forces working against them? Is there a chance that the world can be saved?

First written in 1992, this book comes with fantastic world-building, great satire, and outstanding concepts. It has everything from Mafia Pizza and robot dogs to ancient Sumerian gods and punk skateboarder who show up right on time. This future world is quite flashy and noisy, and it comes with all the action you expect in a Vegas casino. Imagine if you did not have to learn language because of your inborn communication abilities? What if the languages taught today are viruses that are preventing us from progressing and evolving as a species? Could everything we know about communication be all wrong?

Snow Crash is a fascinating read featuring a world where commercialism run amok in a virtual reality world. This is also a book about viruses, language, religion, the brains structure, and some Sumerian mythology. Put together, all these results in a masterpiece. Hiro is a likeable character, and you cannot help but hope that he will be able to create the safe world he wants. If you are a sci-fiction fan, this book will mesmerize you. The storyline is unique, the world-building is epic, and it is hard to believe that this book was written in an era where technology wasn’t as advanced.

Cryptonomicon

Cryptonomicon focuses on cryptography significance during the second world war and relationship this has with the world today. The author uses multiple family generations to tell this story. Lawrence Waterhouse is a mathematician tasked with breaking the German and Japanese codes during the second world war. Thanks to his efforts, these two nations had no way of telling how successful their allies were because the codes they got were compromised. Bobby Shaftoe, a Marine Sergeant, is forced to leave his woman in the Philippines when the Pacific war breaks out only to find himself assigned to a mission without logical goals.
Randy, Waterhouse’s grandson, is a computer geek who has started a small company named Epiphyte. Randy and his co-founder dream of growing their business around the thriving internet business in Southeast Asia. Randy teams up with a company in Manila to help in laying underwater cables and an effort to grow the business. This company is owned by NAVY SEAL Douglas MacArthur, a man who also doubles as a treasure hunter. The new partners make a startling discovery that links both their families to fortunes lost in Axis gold.

How will these two bright fellows work to unearth these fortunes? What more do they uncover in the course of their professional relationship? Join Randy, Douglas, and his equally talented daughter on this intriguing adventure. In the course of the story, you will get to know each of these characters better, as you get informed on events that happened many centuries ago. The journey through memory lane is absorbing, and it is interesting to see how far we have advanced to date.

Away from all the action at sea, there is a lot of math, code-breaking, and computers development. There are economic theories, geo-politics circa and everything in between. In the midst of all this are real historical figures such as Douglas MacArthur and Alan Turing. According to this delightful read, the nerds emerged at the top during the second world war, and they are still working to keep a tyranny free society to date. The author’s enthusiasm on matters technology shows through his writing, and it is clear that he knows his stuff. You will also notice that the author has a funny bone.

Cryptonomicon is an engaging read that will take you on a tour around the world. Any tech-intellectual will find the book engrossing, and the math does add some juice. The author has taken time to develop all the characters making it easy for the reader to identify with them. Want an intelligent read that will take you back to world war two and bring you right back? This book is the perfect choice. Enjoy meeting some historical figures as you learn about their contribution to making history. The book is quite lengthy and will allow you ample time to interact with Stephenson’s intelligent mind.

2 Responses to “Neal Stephenson”

1. Daniel J Gooch: 2 years ago

   The Diamond age is just as good!

   Reply
2. Carolyn Simon: 3 years ago

   I’m not at all a sci-fi fan, but a friend recommended Snow Crash and I liked it a lot. Another friend, who shares my taste in books, told me “BUY IT. JUST BUY IT.” I did, and it’s one of my all time favorites. I have an autographed first edition in a prideful place on my bookshelf.

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