Neal Stephenson is one of my favorite science-fiction writers, but he’s also written two political novels with his uncle, J. Frederick George, under the pen name Stephen Bury. Both have since been re-issued under their real names. This one is an interesting take on just where Saddam Hussein got his bio-weapons ahead of the first Iraq war. All fictional, of course, but so convincing I actually went and did some Googling to see if any of it was based on truth. (It isn’t – as far as we know.)

Classic Stephenson

4.5 stars
Smart, funny, exciting, engrossing, insightful, infuriating, spooky, human, plausible, well-researched, informative, thought-provoking.... reviews need 20 words. Read it!

An interesting book and an all too plausible storyline. Any intelligence agency is only as strong and as weak as the human nature of those involved allow it to be.

All I remember of this novel is how the sheriff character drives around with his baby daughter in the car to get her to sleep.

Not enough science

You can check out my review here:

https://youtu.be/8E75exQSVlU

A decent Tom Clancy like espionage thriller, but it definitely doesn't read like any other Neal Stephenson books that I've read.

Great - nailed the machinations of DC! Fun story. Took a little bit to get into it, but then it was a really fun read.

Most enjoyable. Totally different story but similar feel and style to Reamde, which was one of my favourite reads this year

I enjoyed the twists of different characters ending up working on the same conclusion.

Much like the other book I've read by Neal Stephenson, this one took several chapters to wrap my head around, as there were several narrative threads to introduce before anything really happened. But again like the other book, the initial powering through paid off beautifully. A gripping and at times intense novel, with some really satisfying reveals.

I have a feeling there'll be a bit of a Stephenson-marathon in my near future..

Cobweb

Neal Stephenson always comes through. J. Fredrick George is new to me. Having said that, it seems that they collaborate well. If you enjoy political intrigue and twisting plots this is for you. Great characters.