Book cover of The System of the World

Book description

Neal Stephenson follows his highly-praised historical novels, Quicksilver and The Confusion, with the extraordinary third and final volume of the Baroque Cycle.

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…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The System of the World as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The System is the third book in the Baroque Cycle which begins with Quicksilver and continues with The Confusion. The whole Cycle is a rip-roaring, wildly inventive, and massively ambitious saga, ranging from the mid-seventeenth to the early eighteenth century, spanning the globe and casting an amazing set of characters from Leibnitz and Newton, to King George, Thomas Newcomen and William Teach the pirate. It's astonishing and has some of the best subterranean London episodes I've ever read, including an escape from Newgate Prison which takes in the Bank of England, a Roman Temple, and a medieval privy. Read…

From Julie's list on secret subterranean London.

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The Rocket Scientist by Arthur Geis,

The Rocket Scientist is a science-driven thriller about what might happen if microbes from Mars reached Earth.

As Julie McCray, an astrophysicist, discovers a mysterious bacterial strain from the red planet, she realizes it may be the solution to climate change on Earth, but fears it may behave in ways…

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