by Neal Stephenson
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by Neal Stephenson
|
by Neal Stephenson
|
by Neal Stephenson
|
by Neal Stephenson
|
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The colossal and impressive third volume (after Quicksilver and The Confusion) of Stephenson's magisterial exploration of the origins of the modern world in the scientific revolution of the baroque era begins in 1714. Daniel Waterhouse has returned to England, hoping to mediate the feud between Sir Isaac Newton and Leibniz, both of whom claim to have discovered the calculus and neither of whom is showing much scientific rationality in the dispute. This brawl takes place against the background of the imminent death of Queen Anne, which threatens a succession crisis as Jacobite (Stuart, Catholic) sympathizers confront supporters of the Hanoverian succession. Aside from the potential effect of the outcome on the intellectual climate of England, these political maneuverings are notable for the role played by trilogy heroine Eliza de la Zour, who is now wielding her influence over Caroline of Ansbach, consort of the Hanoverian heir. Eliza has risen from the streets to the nobility without losing any of her creativity or her talents as a schemer; nor has outlaw Jack Shaftoe lost any of his wiliness. What he may have lost is discretion, since he oversteps the boundaries of both law and good sense far enough to narrowly escape the hangman. In the end, reluctant hero Waterhouse prevails against the machinations of everybody else, and scientific (if not sweet) reason wins by a nose. The symbol of that victory is the inventor Thomas Newcomen standing (rather like a cock crowing) atop the boiler of one of his first steam engines. This final volume in the cycle is another magnificent portrayal of an era, well worth the long slog it requires of Stephenson's many devoted readers.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Bookmarks Magazine
The conclusion to The Baroque Cycle is a veritable doorstop, but a doorstop perhaps worth its weight in 18th-century gold coins—especially to those who need a reminder about the dangerous misuses of science and “progress.” Critics can’t heap enough praise on Stephenson’s eloquent narration, true-to-life characters, and impeccable plotting (“generated via Waterhouse’s Logic Mills,” says the San Francisco Chronicle). Stephenson exquisitely unearths Baroque history, too, from mints to gardens to Jacobites. While compelling, you’ll best appreciate this epic history-romance-science fiction story “once you have a solid liberal arts education under your belt” (Chronicle). Stephenson mostly gets away with his philosophical pedantry because he’s so smart and inventive. If you have the courage to delve in, you won’t be disappointed. And if you can’t bring yourself to start with Quicksilver, System includes a preface relating “the story thus far” that reviewers found helpful enough.
The colossal and impressive third volume (after Quicksilver and The Confusion) of Stephenson's magisterial exploration of the origins of the modern world in the scientific revolution of the baroque era begins in 1714. Daniel Waterhouse has returned to England, hoping to mediate the feud between Sir Isaac Newton and Leibniz, both of whom claim to have discovered the calculus and neither of whom is showing much scientific rationality in the dispute. This brawl takes place against the background of the imminent death of Queen Anne, which threatens a succession crisis as Jacobite (Stuart, Catholic) sympathizers confront supporters of the Hanoverian succession. Aside from the potential effect of the outcome on the intellectual climate of England, these political maneuverings are notable for the role played by trilogy heroine Eliza de la Zour, who is now wielding her influence over Caroline of Ansbach, consort of the Hanoverian heir. Eliza has risen from the streets to the nobility without losing any of her creativity or her talents as a schemer; nor has outlaw Jack Shaftoe lost any of his wiliness. What he may have lost is discretion, since he oversteps the boundaries of both law and good sense far enough to narrowly escape the hangman. In the end, reluctant hero Waterhouse prevails against the machinations of everybody else, and scientific (if not sweet) reason wins by a nose. The symbol of that victory is the inventor Thomas Newcomen standing (rather like a cock crowing) atop the boiler of one of his first steam engines. This final volume in the cycle is another magnificent portrayal of an era, well worth the long slog it requires of Stephenson's many devoted readers.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Bookmarks Magazine
The conclusion to The Baroque Cycle is a veritable doorstop, but a doorstop perhaps worth its weight in 18th-century gold coins—especially to those who need a reminder about the dangerous misuses of science and “progress.” Critics can’t heap enough praise on Stephenson’s eloquent narration, true-to-life characters, and impeccable plotting (“generated via Waterhouse’s Logic Mills,” says the San Francisco Chronicle). Stephenson exquisitely unearths Baroque history, too, from mints to gardens to Jacobites. While compelling, you’ll best appreciate this epic history-romance-science fiction story “once you have a solid liberal arts education under your belt” (Chronicle). Stephenson mostly gets away with his philosophical pedantry because he’s so smart and inventive. If you have the courage to delve in, you won’t be disappointed. And if you can’t bring yourself to start with Quicksilver, System includes a preface relating “the story thus far” that reviewers found helpful enough.
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.
See all Editorial Reviews
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
"MEN HALF YOUR AGE and double your weight have been slain on these wastes by Extremity of Cold," said the Earl of Lostwithiel, Lord Warden of the Stannaries, and Rider of the Forest and Chase of Dartmoor, to one of his two fellow-travelers. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
calculus dispute, golden cards, party malice, twelve grains Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sir Isaac, Royal Society, Charles White, Crane Court, Daniel Waterhouse, Princess Caroline, Peter Hoxton, Tower of London, Colonel Barnes, Marquis of Ravenscar, George Louis, Star Chamber, Trial of the Pyx, Duke of Marlborough, Fleet Ditch, Logic Mill, Rufus Maclan, Jack Ketch, Newgate Prison, Roger Comstock, White Tower, Brother Daniel, Black Dogg, Queen Anne, Kit-Cat Clubb New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
"MEN HALF YOUR AGE and double your weight have been slain on these wastes by Extremity of Cold," said the Earl of Lostwithiel, Lord Warden of the Stannaries, and Rider of the Forest and Chase of Dartmoor, to one of his two fellow-travelers. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
calculus dispute, golden cards, party malice, twelve grains Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sir Isaac, Royal Society, Charles White, Crane Court, Daniel Waterhouse, Princess Caroline, Peter Hoxton, Tower of London, Colonel Barnes, Marquis of Ravenscar, George Louis, Star Chamber, Trial of the Pyx, Duke of Marlborough, Fleet Ditch, Logic Mill, Rufus Maclan, Jack Ketch, Newgate Prison, Roger Comstock, White Tower, Brother Daniel, Black Dogg, Queen Anne, Kit-Cat Clubb New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 6
books:
See all 6 books this book cites
5
books
cite this book:
- Isaac Newton: Philosophical Writings (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy) by Isaac Newton on page 837
- Snow Crash (Bantam Spectra Book) by Neal Stephenson in Front Matter
- A Voyage Round the World by Georg Forster in Back Matter
- Tower of London by Derek Wilson on page 196
- Kings & Queens of England Part 2 (Ladybird History of Britain) (Spanish Edition) (Pt. 2) by Louise Jones on page 698
See all 6 books this book cites
- Risk Management Solutions for Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 IT Compliance by John S. Quarterman on page 178, and page 185
- The Cobweb by Neal Stephenson on page 417, and Back Matter
- Interface by Neal Stephenson on page 619, and Back Matter
- Revisiting Narnia: Fantasy, Myth and Religion in C. S. Lewis' Chronicles (Smart Pop series) by Shanna Caughey on page 222
- Odalisque: The Baroque Cycle #3 by Neal Stephenson in Front Matter
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71% buy the item featured on this page: The System of the World (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 3) |
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6% buy Anathem $19.77 |
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6% buy The Confusion (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 2) $12.44 |
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