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Termination Shock: A Novel Hardcover – November 16, 2021

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 8,015 ratings

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New York Times Bestseller

From Neal Stephenson—who coined the term “metaverse” in his 1992 novel Snow Crash—comes a sweeping, prescient new thriller that transports readers to a near-future world in which the greenhouse effect has inexorably resulted in a whirling-dervish troposphere of superstorms, rising sea levels, global flooding, merciless heat waves, and virulent, deadly pandemics.

“Stephenson is one of speculative fiction’s most meticulous architects. . . . Termination Shock manages to pull off a rare trick, at once wildly imaginative and grounded.” — New York Times Book Review

One man—visionary billionaire restaurant chain magnate T. R. Schmidt, Ph.D.—has a Big Idea for reversing global warming, a master plan perhaps best described as “elemental.” But will it work? And just as important, what are the consequences for the planet and all of humanity should it be applied?

Ranging from the Texas heartland to the Dutch royal palace in the Hague, from the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sunbaked Chihuahuan Desert, Termination Shock brings together a disparate group of characters from different cultures and continents who grapple with the real-life repercussions of global warming. Ultimately, it asks the question: Might the cure be worse than the disease?

Epic in scope while heartbreakingly human in perspective, Termination Shock sounds a clarion alarm, ponders potential solutions and dire risks, and wraps it all together in an exhilarating, witty, mind-expanding speculative adventure.

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From the Publisher

"Stratospheric gigatons of carefully engineered delight." - Washington Post
"At once wildly imaginative and grounded." - New York Times Book Review
"An enthralling and thought-provoking read." - Buzzfeed
Termination Shock Neal Stephenson more visionary thrillers
Termination Shock Fall; or, Dodge in Hell Seveneves Reamde Anathem Cryptonomicon
Termination Shock Fall; or, Dodge in Hell Seveneves Reamde Anathem Cryptonomicon
Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
8,015
4.1 out of 5 stars
6,099
4.3 out of 5 stars
30,246
4.4 out of 5 stars
5,405
4.4 out of 5 stars
4,764
4.5 out of 5 stars
8,045
Price $13.17 $21.99 $11.89 $19.00 $16.91 $19.09

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With meticulously rendered action scenes, surprising plot twists, relatable, off-kilter characters and charming dialogue, [Stephenson's] books are page-turners. His latest proves no exception . . . Termination Shock deals brilliantly and innovatively with our era’s most pressing existential matter—while delivering stratospheric gigatons of carefully engineered delight.” — Washington Post

"This book is the rare climate thriller that's realistic about political stonewalling in the face of disaster yet unafraid to imagine a possible future where people might actually come together and try to save civilization. The kind of climate-change fiction we all need." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The novel is classic Stephenson: fiercely intelligent, weird, darkly witty, and boldly speculative. . . . Stephenson has become one of the most revered science fiction writers of his time.”  — Publishers Weekly

"An enthralling and thought-provoking read." — Buzzfeed

"Neal Stephenson has never been afraid of engaging with big ideas within genre forms, and Termination Shock might be his most visionary, and timely, book yet." — Chicago Review of Books

"Stephenson is one of speculative fiction’s most meticulous architects. . . .Termination Shock manages to pull off a rare trick, at once wildly imaginative and grounded.” — New York Times Book Review

"Arguably no sci-fi writer has the specific combination of vision, reach, and ardent fandom that Stephenson does . . . . He is the premiere chronicler of the foundation myths of Silicon Valley and its adjacent culture—of its high self-regard, of disruptive innovation, of the world that nerds built.” — Wired

“Raises genuinely interesting issues about the geopolitics of a warming world.” — American Purpose

"Imaginative and utterly realistic." — Bookbub

“Stephenson isn’t just playing with words, he’s playing with ideas, and he isn’t joking either. He is sci-fi’s great contrarian, and Fall deserves to be rated as one of the great novels of our time, prophetically and philosophically.” — Wall Street Journal on Fall; or, Dodge in Hell

“A one-of-a-kind synthesis of daring and originality, unafraid to venture into wild and unmapped conceptual territory.” — New York Times Book Review on Fall; or, Dodge in Hell

Fall is at once science fiction and fantasy, with quantum computing enabling what amounts to magic, and while Stephenson spins out a pleasingly plausible vision of our near future, he carves out his most comfortable position in the uncertain nexus where that future becomes past and we rewrite our own apocrypha. Vintage Stephenson, which is to say it’s like nothing he’s ever written.”  — Wired

“Neal Stephenson’s Fall explores higher consciousness, the internet’s future, and virtual worldbuilding in one mind-blowing adventure.”  — Slate

“Stephenson devotees with a taste for Tolkienesque fantasy will revel in the author’s imaginative world building . . . . Still, there are enough futuristic, envelope-pushing ideas here, especially related to AI and digital consciousness, to keep even nonfans and science buffs intrigued.” — Booklist [starred review] on Fall; or, Dodge in Hell

“There’s a lot going on here—stylistic flourishes, comedic pratfalls, romance and science—but it’s handled deftly. Those familiar with Stephenson will recognize his humor and ideas.”  — Washington Post on The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

About the Author

Neal Stephenson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the novels Termination Shock, Fall; or, Dodge in Hell, The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. (with Nicole Galland), Seveneves, Reamde, Anathem, The System of the World, The Confusion, Quicksilver, Cryptonomicon, The Diamond Age, Snow Crash, Zodiac, and the groundbreaking nonfiction work In the Beginning . . .Was the Command Line. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow (November 16, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 720 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063028050
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063028050
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.85 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.69 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 8,015 ratings

About the author

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Neal Stephenson
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Neal Town Stephenson (born October 31, 1959) is an American writer, known for his speculative fiction works, which have been variously categorized science fiction, historical fiction, maximalism, cyberpunk, and postcyberpunk. Stephenson explores areas such as mathematics, cryptography, philosophy, currency, and the history of science. He also writes non-fiction articles about technology in publications such as Wired Magazine, and has worked part-time as an advisor for Blue Origin, a company (funded by Jeff Bezos) developing a manned sub-orbital launch system.

Born in Fort Meade, Maryland (home of the NSA and the National Cryptologic Museum) Stephenson came from a family comprising engineers and hard scientists he dubs "propeller heads". His father is a professor of electrical engineering whose father was a physics professor; his mother worked in a biochemistry laboratory, while her father was a biochemistry professor. Stephenson's family moved to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois in 1960 and then to Ames, Iowa in 1966 where he graduated from Ames High School in 1977. Stephenson furthered his studies at Boston University. He first specialized in physics, then switched to geography after he found that it would allow him to spend more time on the university mainframe. He graduated in 1981 with a B.A. in Geography and a minor in physics. Since 1984, Stephenson has lived mostly in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in Seattle with his family.

Neal Stephenson is the author of the three-volume historical epic "The Baroque Cycle" (Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of the World) and the novels Cryptonomicon, The Diamond Age, Snow Crash, and Zodiac. He lives in Seattle, Washington.


Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
8,015 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the ideas fascinating and scientifically valid. They also describe the prose as flowing, clever, and bearable. Readers find the characters intriguing and well-developed. They describe the storyline as good, realistic, and thought-provoking. Opinions are mixed on the pace and length, with some finding it timely and others saying it's a painfully slow slog.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

117 customers mention "Storyline"95 positive22 negative

Customers find the storyline imaginative, thoughtful, action-packed, and multi-ethnic. They also appreciate the multiple plot lines that converge and the interesting information. Readers also say the geo-politics are well thought through and the book is very future-realistic. They say the characters feel real and talk and act real.

"Great story, characters and science make for another thought provoking read by a master Futurist...." Read more

"...And if you’re looking for a relatively light, action packed, multi-ethnic/multi-cultural sci-fi cowboy western, this is definitely the book for you!" Read more

"...His meticulous attention to detail and expert storytelling create a world that feels as though it could be our own, making the novel's warnings all..." Read more

"...All the Stephenson hallmarks are there: a realistic sci-fi future; cleverly extended tech based on what already exists; tons of geology and..." Read more

66 customers mention "Content"61 positive5 negative

Customers find the book has interesting information weaved together into a great story. They also say the author is an incredible researcher and a good storyteller. Readers also appreciate the quirky details and technical concepts that push the plot forward. They mention the book is imaginative and thoughtful, with cleverly extended tech. Customers also say it has good insights and ideas on climate change and covid.

"...Between Stephenson and Kim Stanley Robinson always excellent science and story telling." Read more

"...The climate science and geoengineering feels accurate, and is certainly adequate, but it seems to serve mostly as a somewhat static backdrop for the..." Read more

"...is a tour de force in speculative fiction, seamlessly blending themes of climate change, geopolitics, and technological innovation into a compelling..." Read more

"...the Stephenson hallmarks are there: a realistic sci-fi future; cleverly extended tech based on what already exists; tons of geology and references..." Read more

63 customers mention "Characters"54 positive9 negative

Customers find the characters intriguing and well developed.

"Great story, characters and science make for another thought provoking read by a master Futurist...." Read more

"...The Dutch Queen character is adorable but feels a little on the lighter side...." Read more

"...He spends a lot time on character development, and he loves to nerd out on the “why” as to why things work they do. I appreciate that...." Read more

"...The character development is excellent, the technical details are nice, and the geo-politics interesting and well thought through...." Read more

47 customers mention "Readability"34 positive13 negative

Customers find the book's prose flowing, clever, and solid. They also say it's approachable, with meticulous attention to detail and expert storytelling. Overall, customers say the book is a learning experience.

"...His writing is always very vivid, always thought provoking and almost always highly entertaining...." Read more

"...His meticulous attention to detail and expert storytelling create a world that feels as though it could be our own, making the novel's warnings all..." Read more

"...Motivations and even dialogue were not always understandable, and myriad details were expressed resulting in loose ends everywhere...." Read more

"...going to wrap this thing up in any way that is interesting, comprehensive or satisfying. I'd have settled for one of those three but got none...." Read more

27 customers mention "Enjoyment"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought provoking and interesting. They also say the first chapter gets the action going.

"...That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it keeps the novel fun and entertaining, but it does feel like a guilty pleasure to me, as a climate activist,..." Read more

"...In all, I thought that it was clever, plausible, and interesting." Read more

"...that as a novel of characters, action, and plot "Termination Shock" is lively and readable...." Read more

"A signature Neal Stephenson book: Yes. Interesting. Educational. Thought provoking. Great line by line story telling...." Read more

10 customers mention "Imagery"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the imagery in the book phenomenal, intense, and entertaining. They also say the author does his research and projects it well.

"...for the action, which is in classical Stephenson fashion phenomenally visual, intense and entertaining...." Read more

"...Through vivid imagery and meticulous world-building, Stephenson paints a haunting picture of a world ravaged by extreme weather events, rising sea..." Read more

"...the heaviest climate-change-themed book, but I think it represents the situation quite well, and that is because Stephenson is great at learning..." Read more

"...As a near-future story, it is quite believable and well-plotted. Well worth your time." Read more

23 customers mention "Pace"10 positive13 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pace of the book. Some find it timely, prescient, and fast-paced, while others say it's a painfully slow slog.

"...The book is long and slow, but compelling with quirky details and technical concepts that push the plot forward and are worth mulling over after..." Read more

"...It’s not even Seveneves. TS is a good fireside read, keeps a good pace, but is not in any way really interesting or thought provoking, unless you’ve..." Read more

"...favorites so I did finish the book, but, man ole man, was it a painfully slow slog. He took 60% of the book just for setup!..." Read more

"I'm a big fan of this author. This book is very timely, with good insights and ideas on climate change and also covid...." Read more

13 customers mention "Length"4 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the length of the book. Some find it incredible with larger than life characters, while others say it's kind of long.

"...The book is long and slow, but compelling with quirky details and technical concepts that push the plot forward and are worth mulling over after..." Read more

"...and an innovative approach to the fight to reverse it is addressed in a sweeping tale." Read more

"...Kind of long, but worth the ride" Read more

"...talk about different countries and politics, but it is once again, so lengthy, and dragged out, that the author's attempts at world building fall..." Read more

Best Clmate Change Novel Yet, Wide in scope, deep in concept, fine in execution.
5 out of 5 stars
Best Clmate Change Novel Yet, Wide in scope, deep in concept, fine in execution.
Best work of climate change fiction I've seen. Stephenson is a master of hard techno sf. He also can't write anything short. It's got 140-degree heat in Waco, a jet crash involving a herd of wild boar, a Dutch Queen on a secret mission, and an ex-military guy who needs a new mission after killing the boar that ate his daughter...and that's just the beginning. Terrific writing, but I strongly recommend the audible version which walks you along at the author's pace rather than letting you jump ahead and miss the detail.Perfect for fans of Kim Stanley Robinson, Paolo Bacigalupi, Bruce Sterling and of course...Stephenson himself.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
Great story, characters and science make for another thought provoking read by a master Futurist. I most enjoyed the concepts of performative warfare. I really dig how he turns even the smaller stones over to reveal juicy tidbits of information that end up being related to the bigger picture. Stinging jabs at a very confused United States never more relevant than now. Between Stephenson and Kim Stanley Robinson always excellent science and story telling.
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2021
Anything from Stephenson is automatically on my reading list. His writing is always very vivid, always thought provoking and almost always highly entertaining. I was extremely pleasantly surprised to discover that this novel features a minor character from my native Suriname (we are very rare in real life and so too in fiction), as well as major characters from Punjab, the Netherlands and a mixed race Black American Comanche. So that part was extra fun for me. Stephenson really got his non-white character game on in this novel and I appreciate him a lot for that! It’s also a novel about climate change, so as a longtime climate activist, of course I had to read it. That all being said, it was a little bit light on the science fiction side, reading almost like a contemporary action thriller set in the very near future. Other than the Covid-27 reference he doesn’t give us much of an idea when the action takes place, but I get the sense that it’s maybe 10 or max 20 years or so from now. But weirdly the cars are not as autonomous as one might expect, AI makes a few minor appearances, and overall the novel is fairly low-tech, featuring a lot of drone action which is cool, but not a big stretch in terms of the current state of technology. A lot of the dialog feels almost like satire, making light of modern tech billionaires, constitutional monarchies, international diplomats, and pretty much everyone. Where the novel really shines is with the two main characters who are headed for a collision course. One is a reluctant hero and the other is not quite the anti-hero, and he does a good job with both of them the whole way through. The Dutch Queen character is adorable but feels a little on the lighter side. In general he doesn’t do the female characters as much justice as the males, which is not surprising in general but it is for Stephenson because he’s done a lot of great work with female lead characters in other novels. This novel in some ways also reads like a sci-fi take on the western cowboy novel, which must have been intentional. I enjoyed that aspect of it but I imagine it’s not for everyone. As far as the climate change angle goes, compared to Kim Stanley Robinson I think Stephenson falls a little bit short there. The climate science and geoengineering feels accurate, and is certainly adequate, but it seems to serve mostly as a somewhat static backdrop for the action, which is in classical Stephenson fashion phenomenally visual, intense and entertaining. It does make for a weird contrast with the fairly lighthearted, matter of fact tone of the dialog, which never really goes very deep emotionally. The characters seem to mostly just accept their fate without much angst or contemplation beyond the obvious. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it keeps the novel fun and entertaining, but it does feel like a guilty pleasure to me, as a climate activist, because it’s dealing with such an important and heavy topic. I never got that feeling reading KSR, who takes climate change extremely seriously in his novels, and reflects a lot more of the deep emotional pain that people experience as they come to terms with the climate crisis we are perpetrating. Last but not least the novel has a pretty dark take on American politics. He doesn’t dive deep there either, but describes our country as a “basket case” and worse. Not that I disagree with his assessment, it’s just interesting to see such candor from an American author about how messed up our politics really are. Anyway, if you’re a Stephenson fan I highly recommend this book because you’ll not be disappointed. If you’re not yet a fan I suggest starting with some of his older fare first. If you’re interested because of the climate angle I would say: don’t expect too much there, other than of course a firm acknowledgement that climate disaster is upon us, and an interesting take on how attempted geoengineering might go down. And if you’re looking for a relatively light, action packed, multi-ethnic/multi-cultural sci-fi cowboy western, this is definitely the book for you!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
"Termination Shock" by Neal Stephenson is a tour de force in speculative fiction, seamlessly blending themes of climate change, geopolitics, and technological innovation into a compelling narrative that feels eerily prescient. As a reader deeply engaged with the intersection of science fiction and reality, I found myself captivated by Stephenson's masterful storytelling and thought-provoking insights.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its portrayal of the dire consequences of climate change and the urgency of addressing it. Through vivid imagery and meticulous world-building, Stephenson paints a haunting picture of a world ravaged by extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation. What truly resonated with me was the realization of the immense carbon footprint we're leaving for future generations to grapple with. Stephenson's portrayal of this reality serves as a wake-up call, reminding us of the urgent need for action to mitigate climate catastrophe.

Moreover, "Termination Shock" brilliantly explores the intersection of geopolitics and geoengineering, offering a glimpse into a future where nations vie for control over resources and influence through ambitious technological solutions. Stephenson's portrayal of the geopolitical tensions that arise when these forces collide is both gripping and thought-provoking. The prospect of a third world war sparked by the convergence of geopolitics and geoengineering feels chillingly plausible, serving as a stark warning against the dangers of unchecked technological advancement.

What sets "Termination Shock" apart is Stephenson's ability to craft a narrative that feels both speculative and deeply grounded in reality. His meticulous attention to detail and expert storytelling create a world that feels as though it could be our own, making the novel's warnings all the more urgent and compelling.

In conclusion, "Termination Shock" is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of our planet and the potential consequences of inaction in the face of climate change. Neal Stephenson's masterful blend of science fiction and social commentary makes for a truly unforgettable reading experience that will leave readers both entertained and profoundly moved.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Bramster
5.0 out of 5 stars Second time reading it!
Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2023
I’m halfway through the book the second time around. I amazed at the way Neal Stephenson shows, he doesn’t just tell.
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S.Lethbridge
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in Spain on February 1, 2024
Neal Stephenson back to his very best. I don't know why he does collaborations, but none of these stack up well against the books he writes alone. He is one of my top 5 writers in the world for both his ideas, and writing skills 😄
Jeremy Walton
5.0 out of 5 stars Weather with you
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2023
Neal Stephenson makes a comparatively late addition to the cli-fi genre with a novel whose title sounds like the name of a heavy metal band. Characteristically, he sets the scene with his very first sentence:

"Houston's air was too hot to support airplanes."

in the same way he opened his novel "Seveneves" by saying that the moon blew up "with no warning and for no apparent reason". This book is set in some unspecified time in the near future (there's a clever reference to "COVID-19, COVID-23 and COVID-27" on p29) when the effects of climate change (like the atmosphere being too warm for planes to fly) have become more extreme. The heroine of the story is Saskia, the Queen of the Netherlands, a low-lying country which is painfully susceptible to the effects of rising sea-level. Despite her title, Saskia is a typical Stephenson character: sensible, resourceful and accomplished - thus, as the story opens, she's trying to land her plane in Texas, having piloted it across the Atlantic.

She's meeting with T.R. Schmidt, an oil billionaire, who's attempting to reverse global warming with a solar geoengineering scheme - more specifically, by injecting sulphur into the atmosphere, forming aerosols which cool the atmosphere by reflecting solar radiation back into space. As usual in Stephenson's books, the details of how this is done and the way technical issues are overcome are presented clearly, but the fact that Schmidt is doing this unilaterally has geopolitical repercussions, illustrating the fact that the effects of geoengineering may not be spread evenly around the world. Tensions develop between countries like the Netherlands who would benefit from the scheme, and those like India, who apparently wouldn't. Meanwhile, China uses sophisticated cyberwarfare techniques to influence the debate in the Netherlands about geoengineering (a feature of this future world is that, despite the increased effects of climate change, there's still no consensus about what to do about it).

I'm a big fan of Stephenson's books, so - despite its usual heft - read this one very quickly. Its subject is timely: whilst reading it, I had a conversation with someone who'd experienced this summer's hurricanes in Florida, describing record storm surges that overwhelmed houses that - it unfortunately turned out - were insufficiently elevated. The characters are skillfully delineated - for example, one of them who works in the (London) City was "fresh out of a posh education, sent down to the City for seasoning and to rack up some millions and find a wife who would enjoy picking out curtains in Sussex" [p155]. Recommended.
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Jonny
3.0 out of 5 stars intéressant mais
Reviewed in France on October 24, 2022
Le livre est intéressant, mais pas passionnant. Dommage de la part de cet auteur que j'adore.
Saurabh Prabhu
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertainment modern scifi
Reviewed in India on September 27, 2022
Best thing about the book is that it is not set in some distant dystopia or alien space. It's set in the not so distant future with a realistic premise. Entertaining throughout, but not as hard-sciency as some of Stephensons previous books. I'd categorise it more as a general thriller than sci-fi. Slightly over the top in some of the narratives, but not ridiculously so.
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