This is the first Neal Stephenson book I read, and I was hooked. I read it out loud to my wife, the writing is so interesting and smart. Just a snippet, like the bike rider forcing his way into traffic in Boston, to the admiration of the drivers who were blocked, is still memorable and fun. It's a quick read, it's fun, try it! And thanks to Gary Ellis who turned me on to Neal, which then led to Bruce Sterling and ...