The System Of The World (The Baroque Cycle Book 3) by Neal Stephenson (Epub)

Description

The year is 1714. Daniel Waterhouse has returned to England, where he joins forces with his friend Isaac Newton to hunt down a shadowy group attempting to blow up Natural Philosophers with ‘Infernal Devices’ – time bombs. As Daniel and Newton conspire, an increasingly vicious struggle is waged for England’s Crown: who will take control when the ailing queen dies?

Tories and Whigs clash as one faction jockeys to replace Queen Anne with ‘The Pretender’ James Stuart, and the other promotes the Hanoverian dynasty of Princess Caroline. Meanwhile, a long-simmering dispute between Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz comes to a head, with potentially cataclysmic consequences.

Wildly inventive, brilliantly conceived, The System of the World is the final volume in Neal Stephenson’s hugely ambitious and compelling saga. Filled with a remarkable cast of characters in a time of genius, discovery and change, the Baroque Cycle is a magnificent and unique achievement.

User’s 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. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. About the Author Neal Stephenson is the author of seven previous novels. He lives in Seattle, Washington. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ This is volume lll of the Baroque series. It could stand alone, but you would understand the characters better if you read Quicksilver: The Baroque Cycle #1 and The Confusion: Volume Two of The Baroque Cycle first. This is one of those series that increases the price with each volume, so as of May 2017) vol.1 costs 4.99 for Kindle, then vol. 2 is 5.99 and vol. 3 is 8.99.I found the whole series fantastically good. I had read Cryptonomicon already, recommended to me by my daughter, and these books are really prequels (though much better than some prequels you may be familiar with from movies) but don’t need to be read before Cryptonomicon. That said, now that I’ve finished the Baroque Cycle I am reading Cryptonomicon. again, with a different understanding of the characters who are descendants of some characters from the Baroque Cycle.Most of the characters are well developed and deep, and all with different backgrounds and abilities. They change through the books as years go by, and like flesh & blood they do occasionally rise to (or fall to) occasions as they occur. It is a little jarring when a character is off to someplace and changes while they are gone, but that happens to us too with people we knew and meet again later in life.The historic time frame is well researched and written, even some details that seemed jarring I found were true once I had done some research. There is an interesting mix of real historical figures and completely fictional characters. Some characters are involved with real historical events, like the Great Plague of London, followed by the Great Fire., and battles around Europe. The locations of the action changes to include much of the world.

⭐ Hi friends, it’s easy to think of the author has a science-fiction writer but this book is not science fiction. It is historical fiction so densely laden with references facts, details trivia et cetera that’s to be nothing short of astonishing. This is my second reading of the full baroque cycle and I enjoyed it more this time around. It’s staggers the imagination to consider what learning the author must have absorbed in order to pack virtually every page with some fascinating bit of information while carrying through an amazing story, based on the facts of the time. It certainly ranks as one of the top five books I have ever read and I’ve read a ton of stuff. Buy it, read it, read it again you won’t be disappointed.

⭐ What can you say about this one? The last of the series, it tied everything up all the loose ends into a pretty nice conclusion, but I’m not sure it was one that I found especially satisfying. Stephenson is my favorite author and this series was just jam packed with the information and historical perspective that he does so well. I think I enjoyed Vols 1 and two a bit more, but taken as a whole they are a masterfully guided immersion into a very significant period of European history and western thought.

⭐ It took me forever to finish this series, but man, I’m glad I finally did. I bought the first book when it came out as a hardcover edition. I read about 40 pages and got wrapped up in other things and never finished it. Fast forward some 15 years and I reread Cryptonomicon and just needed more Neal Stephenson in my life. It took quite a while to read all of this series – it’s a good 3000 pages and not for the faint at heart. But the reward ended up being worth it.The first two books were a great back story. System of the World picks up the story in the present (as “present” as 1714 is). Many things have changed, but many have stayed the same. Seeing the relationships that were built in the last 2000 pages come to a peak was satisfying. I will not debate that there were some end stories that were just a little too convenient, nor will I argue that there were some standard Stephenson “Wha…?” moments, but the story ends well and has enough twists and turns that I had no clue where it was going to go. In fact, I thought things more or less wrapped up about 60% in and wondered if the remaining 40% was an index or something. So go through all 3000 pages. It was worth the time and money.

⭐ The System of the World is Volume III of the author’s Baroque Cycle. Volume I contains the first three “books” of the cycle, while The Confusion contains Book 4 (Juncto) and Book 5 (Bonanza). The System of the World contains the final three books of the Cycle, Solomon’s Gold, Currency and The System of the World.If you read Volumes I and II, then you are familiar with the characters and the historical landscape (late 17th, early 18th century). While the historical fiction contained in these works is highly educational and at times fascinating (at others, somewhat confusing), this is not my favorite Stephenson effort. Nevertheless, as in his cyberpunk and sci-fi stories, a certain level of attention and effort is required in order fully grasp the author’s work. Some may not want to put forth the effort, but I appreciate it.By its conclusion, the Cycle will have consumed between 2,500-3,000 pages; quite an undertaking, especially for a work that demands the reader’s attention and commitment. Having read it in its entirety, I can definitely say that I have a far better feel for the history and events of the period and geographical landscape. While the story certainly includes historical figures of significance (several English monarchs, English and French nobility, Continental rulers, Sir Isaac Newton and others) it also contains an assortment of fictional characters, some of whom are fascinating. Eliza, Jack Shaftoe and Daniel Waterhouse alternate as primary characters, though Eliza fades into the background through the final two books.Most of the action in this final volume takes place in and around London. If the author’s writing can be believed, London of the period must have been one of the most miserable places ever on the face of the earth. Abominably crowded, absolutely filthy, disease and pest ridden, it would seem that a majority of the inhabitants walked around covered in sewage or industrial waste at all times. While overall, it is very entertaining and educational reading, at times it bogs down into relatively deep philosophical discussions between the characters. However, the final 200 pages are absolutely engrossing. If you have the time and are willing to put in the effort required, it is definitely worth it.

⭐ Just finished this, the third volume of The Baroque Cycle. 3,000 pages in all. I wish it had existed when I was in college; it puts so many ideas into perspective, and led me to read other books to broaden my understanding of this historical period. Moreover, the trilogy provides many lessons that apply today as we read daily about current events similar to those of the Baroque period, as they are unfolding around the world.Reading The Trilogy takes time, but it’s entirely worth it.

⭐ My second reading of The Baroque Cycle (3 books) was a rewarding experience. The intellectual and historical pleasure of this historical fiction is especially wonderful if you’ve read this author’s other work, “Cryptonomicon”.Few writers can create the belief you have entered a time far gone. Neal Stephenson recreates the picaresque with events ranging from the decapitation of Charles I, to the siege of Vienna, to the Japanese Shogunate.You can read this for the pleasure of getting to know Isaac Newton, Louis 14th, and other historical persons. The true enjoyment is in the unforgettable characters of Jack Shaftoe and his love, Eliza de la Zeur, Duchess of Qwhlgm.And if you’ve read other works by Stephenson, look for favorites such as Enoch Root and the ancestors of families Waterhouse and Hacklheber.I’m looking forward to reading again, say, in 4 or 5 years, fate allowing.

⭐ Want to know a little bit about the ideas of Commerce and currency, Alchemy, Materialism, Monadism, Theocracy and Democracy during the 17th century? These are all part of the fabric of the Baroque Cycle. Meet Newton, Leibniz, Louis IV along with fictional characters like Jack, the Vagabond King, Enoch Root who lives forever, Eliza former slave now free and a business savant. Stephenson does a masterful job re-creating the time and events of the 17th century. Be prepared to wade through some lengthy discourses about commerce, religion, philosophy and alchemy. Patience will be rewarded.

⭐ I have been astonished and entranced by this long novel. I came to know and enjoy Neal Stephenson’s work as a Science Fiction writer. I now think of him as one of the very few who is a fine novelist both within Sci-Fi and in the broader literary world, as was Iain (M) Banks. I had read the descriptions of this three-volume novel, and the widely divergent reviews, and kept putting off purchase. Finally I purchased the first volume and, after some initial astonishment, I was hooked. As soon as I had finished it I bought the second and third volumes, so that I would be able to continue without interruption. I read using the Kindle app., and learned to check frequently for how far I was through each book. I was always glad whenever I could see see there was lots left still to read. I can honestly say that the pace–and my enjoyment–hardly ever flagged. Lightly worn erudition, fearless grappling with the philosophical issues of science, alongside an exciting adventure story set in exotic locations convincingly portrayed… I could go on and on. This novel has them all. I was particularly impressed with the way in which the early grappling with the philosophy of science, expressed in the vocabulary of an earlier age, could help my understanding of current scientific thought, a masterly achievement! But it’s also a gripping love story lasting for decades… In fact this novel has something for everyone. I am glad that his earlier successes were enough to encourage his publisher to issue this novel. I cannot commend it highly enough. It is a glorious, fantastic, all-absorbing and ultimately satisfying read!

⭐ This three volume, lengthy tale, pegged to the fortunes and maturation of two key frictional figures (Jack and Eliza) in the turbulent religious, intellectual, and social world of England and, to a lesser extent France in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, is irresistible. I cannot but praise this amazing work — and thank the author for his acknowledgement of the contribution made to his own development and thinking about novels by the late Dorothy Dunnett, another remarkable author whose long historical fiction books, the Lymond Chronicles, seem to be fading into the dust of modern literary history. It is unthinkable to me that they should go unread and unappreciated.

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