Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1) by Neal Stephenson
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.74 You Save: $18.21 (65%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1)
Book Review: Big, but Glorious...
Summary: 5 Stars
Stephenson is one writer who remembers what most other genre authors have forgotten: you used to actually learn something new from every book, every short story, every novella in the Science Fiction universe. This book is historical fiction, not science fiction, but it conveys the same sense of discovery and wonder that I used to get from Larry Niven novels or Clarke stories. That's not surprising; to many Americans, the past is now as foreign and strange a place as the future seemed in the 1950s, and any author who plumbs history's depths as thoroughly and honestly as Stephenson does here is bound to create an engaging yarn. This book is set in the late 1600's, and is a sort of prequel to his book Cryptonomicon. Sharply, wittily drawn characters and expansive explorations of European science and society make this a welcome summer read. Almost as welcome as its sequel...Book Review: C_ure F_or Syphi_llis - Click Here
Summary: 5 Stars
Quicksilver is, among many other things, a story of humanity (more specifically Europe) coming out of the fog of pure mysticism... albeit reluctantly.
If you are interested in the origins of western medicine, empirical thought, the role of God (if any) in the mechanical designs of the cosmos (as deliberated by the times' greatest minds), predestination vs. free volition and the debate's historical/scientific significance, the toddler years of the commodities & stock markets, the interplay of the politicos that shaped Europe in the latter 17th century, the role of women in the 1600s, and/or human sexuality, then you will find this book engaging to the Nth.
If, on the other hand, you are not interested in these things, I would not recommend it....
As for Neal, holy cra* Batman!! We are witnessing the rise of a true literary GIANT.
Book Review: not for the constipated
Summary: 5 Stars
This is quite probably the best, funniest, and most clever historical novel that I have read. You get to feel intimate with the reigning genius of Hook, Newton, Liebniz, Wren and a cast of truely remarlable men. The section on the Vagabond King - Jack,is wonderfully funny and helps flush out the time period.
The only people that won't like this book are all of the cyber
punk folks who are pissed that this book broke Neal's romance with
things cyber to a great degree -they won't forgive him that
and drum up all of these really lame laments about "speaking in one voice" yada, yada. These folks need to take laxatives and accept the fact that Neal is not a one trick poney. I was put
off by some of the reviewers until I read the first chapter of the book from a library. I then bought the book - it is remarkable. Good show Neal!!
Book Review: Very ambitious and great read
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book. Even though it is very slow and with no concrete plot, I feel this is a great book. The historical depictions and events are true with fictional characters. Its a tough read initially. This is really a very ambitious project by Neal. I hope that book 2,3 connects everything together. Suggestion - this book is not meant to be read in one go. U can read other good books and come to this later one. Believe me I have read worst books than this if u call it as a bad book.I think it is a good book with great concept of studying scientific historical events. I am enjoying this very much and I fully appreciate Neal's ambition here. This is a true artist at work. Love it or hate it choice is yours. All I can say its not bad at all. Hope to hear more soon about book 2 and 3. I love the characters Daniel, Leibniz ,Newton and Roger.
Book Review: A Beautiful Pcture of a Messy Time
Summary: 5 Stars
I give this book an enthusiastic 5 stars! . . . With a proviso: In order for a reader to enjoy this book, it is necessary to have an intense interest in:1) History
2) Science
3) Fictional stories based on actual historical events and characters
To say that Stephenson has done his homework would be an extreme disservice. The amount of research that must have gone into this work is unimaginable! This time period is reasonably well documented, but very few narratives exist of the events of prominent individuals. Stephenson gives us a way to "enter the story."
Something I truly enjoy in the reading of historical fiction is how it spurs me on to research and learn more about the people and times in the narrative. This book certainly did that and I am anxious to read the sequels.