Cryptonomicon

Cryptonomicon is a sprawling novel by Neal Stephenson that is more a combination of historical fiction and contemporary techno-thriller than the science fiction of Stephenson's earlier works. It follows two parallel sagas: that of cryptographers during World War II attempting to crack Axis codes (see U-413, U-553, U-691, Enigma machine, Alan Turing, Bletchley Park), and that of their descendants attempting to use modern cryptography to build a data haven in the fictitious state of Kinakuta, a small nation similiar in social order and geographic location to Brunei. It also details the political machinations that follow both efforts. Cryptonomicon's backstory ties in heavily with the events and people featured in Stephenson's later work, The Baroque Cycle.

Related Topics:
Neal Stephenson - Science fiction - Cryptographer - World War II - Axis - ''U-413'' - ''U-553'' - ''U-691'' - Enigma machine - Alan Turing - Bletchley Park - Cryptography - Data haven - Fictitious state - Kinakuta - Brunei - The Baroque Cycle

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The title is drawn indirectly from the Necronomicon (the -nomicon serves as the word's root), a fictional work detailed within the works of the writer H. P. Lovecraft, even though when Stephenson came up with his title, he was not aware of the word's origin; he was simply seeking a Greek-sounding word that also had 'crypto' in it.

Related Topics:
Necronomicon - H. P. Lovecraft - Greek

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Cryptonomicon is notably heavy going for non-technical readers in parts. Several pages are spent explaining in detail some of the concepts behind cryptography. Despite the technical detail, the book drew praise from both Stephenson's science fiction fan base and literary critics and buyers.

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The French and Spanish translations divide the book in three volumes.

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The Cryptonomicon book that appears within the novel itself — described as a "cryptographer's bible" — is a fictional book invented by Neal Stephenson for the plot purposes of his book and does not exist in reality.

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Stephenson includes a precise description of (and indeed a Perl script for) the Solitaire cipher (called "Pontifex" in the book), a cryptographic algorithm developed by Bruce Schneier for use with a deck of playing cards, as part of the plot. He also describes computers using a fictional operating system, Finux.

Related Topics:
Perl - Solitaire cipher - Cryptographic algorithm - Bruce Schneier - Playing cards - Finux

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