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.

Editions

• ISBN 0380973464: Hardcover (1999)
• ISBN 0380788624: Paperback (2000)
• ISBN 0060512806: Mass Market Paperback (2002)
• ISBN 157453470X: Audio Cassette (abridged) (2001)
• ISBN B00009M9LW: e-book (Adobe Reader)
• ISBN B00009M9LX: e-book (Microsoft Reader)
• Audio download from iTunes and Audible.com
• Translations into other languages: Polish, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Dutch