Scan barcode
erat's review against another edition
3.0
I may not finish the series. This book was easily 200 pages too long.
pxo289's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sdoire's review against another edition
4.0
It would have gotten 5 stars if there were more Newton, Leibniz, Waterhouse action. I'm not as keen on the Shaftoe storyline. But, I have a feeling I'm about to get what I want in "System of the World".
eeriekeri's review against another edition
2.0
This book has moved from "currently reading" to "supporting my computer screen" – it's not bad, it's just not very interesting.
rednikki's review against another edition
3.0
Note to Neal Stephenson: just because you did the research doesn't mean you have to tell it all to us.
This is an interesting book, but it could have been at minimum 200 pages shorter without losing anything. The middle of the book drags like four hippos driving a Ford Fiesta - so much so that it took me THREE YEARS to finish the book.
And Stepehnson's choices as to what to show and what to tell us about are odd. There's a massive pirate battle, which we learn of not because we see it happen, but because the characters TELL us about it. Meanwhile, we get eight pages on how to make phosphorous. Really? Really?
On the bright side, Stephenson does not skimp on details as to how brutal and cruel life was in the 1600s. Anyone who thinks that people were kinder or more moral in the good ol' days really needs to read this book.
This is an interesting book, but it could have been at minimum 200 pages shorter without losing anything. The middle of the book drags like four hippos driving a Ford Fiesta - so much so that it took me THREE YEARS to finish the book.
And Stepehnson's choices as to what to show and what to tell us about are odd. There's a massive pirate battle, which we learn of not because we see it happen, but because the characters TELL us about it. Meanwhile, we get eight pages on how to make phosphorous. Really? Really?
On the bright side, Stephenson does not skimp on details as to how brutal and cruel life was in the 1600s. Anyone who thinks that people were kinder or more moral in the good ol' days really needs to read this book.
cannonsr's review against another edition
3.0
I maybe maxed out on Stephenson this year. Good. Will wait until the new year to start book three and decide if they're all worth it. (I'm mean, obviously somewhat worth it. Just such a time investment for me.)
More...