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Solomon’s Gold

By: Neal Stephenson
Narrated by: Simon Prebble, Kevin Pariseau, Neal Stephenson (introduction)
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Summary

In the year 1714, the world is a most confused and unsteady place — especially London, center of finance, innovation, and conspiracy — when Daniel Waterhouse makes his less-than-triumphant return to England’s shores. Aging Puritan and Natural Philosopher, confidant of the high and mighty, and contemporary of the most brilliant minds of the age, he has braved the merciless sea and an assault by the infamous pirate Blackbeard to help mend the rift between two adversarial geniuses at a princess’s behest. But while much has changed outwardly, the duplicity and danger that once drove Daniel to the American Colonies is still coin of the British realm.

The Baroque Cycle, Neal Stephenson’s award-winning series, spans the late 17th and early 18th centuries, combining history, adventure, science, invention, piracy, and alchemy into one sweeping tale. It is a gloriously rich, entertaining, and endlessly inventive historical epic populated by the likes of Isaac Newton, William of Orange, Benjamin Franklin, and King Louis XIV, along with some of the most inventive literary characters in modern fiction.

Audible’s complete and unabridged presentation of The Baroque Cycle was produced in cooperation with Neal Stephenson. Each volume includes an exclusive introduction read by the author.

©2004 Neal Stephenson (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
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Critic reviews

“Self-indulgent ambition disguised as historical fiction was never this much fun—or this successful.” ( Entertainment Weekly)
“Stands out as a masterwork of time, place, and people.” ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about Solomon’s Gold

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Books Six of this wonderful set

I just never tire of listening to this entire series. I loved Neal Stephenson's Sci-Fi and was unsure about starting on this epic series but I must have listened the whole thing through 3 times now and it just never gets tired. The ways the story runs take a little getting used to but once you are in the swing it is an absolute joy. Do the whole set. Wonderful

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

London for the imaginary tourist

I finished this part of Stephenson's epic reluctantly; at a mere 3000 pages this book is not nearly long enough for my taste. So I am pausing to research the background. This part is set entirely in London, ten years since the last part ended and a new world- Daniel Waterhouse has returned from America and it came as a shock to realise that the last 2000 pages have been a flash-back from the sea journey that was described at the very beginning of the book. And what has Jack been up to all this time, apart from growing old? A gripping tale unfolds which keeps me guessing while Stephenson takes me on a sightseeing tour of historic London; and I am inspired to venture out to the city on a cold November Sunday and explore these places anew through the eyes of his extraordinary imagination. And yes, as far as I can tell, his geography is accurate in every detail. I don't want this story to end and there are only two more audiobooks to go.

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The story continues at a breathtaking pace

Its amazing that despite the length and scale of the action taking place, the author has managed to keep up the pace of the book and still kept you engaged with the main characters. Amazingly well narrated and fascinating continuation of the story

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A story that you can return to..

For anyone that is interested in events that shaped our world, then you will enjoy the magnificence and grandeur of this story as it unfolds

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Ridiculous and unnecessarily complex plot, with many tedious sections

The first volume of the Baroque cycle was fascinating, as was the third, but this volume, like 2 4 and 5, was supremely uninteresting for the most part. I only listened all the way through because I was curious as to how it would turn out and because of the occasional dashes of natural philosophy. The performance though was mostly excellent, apart from the Scots and Irish accents that were unconvincing. And my perennial criticism of Neal Stephenson’s writing is that despite his attempts to use UK English words like “bloke”, we still have the occasional Americanism, especially the execrable “gotten”. I’ll probably still listen to the end of the series, but this in no way approaches the splendour of “Cryptonomicon” or “Anathem”

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So over this series

What started so brilliantly in the the first books has become meandering drivel. Even the best character, Waterhouse ,is now tedious to listen to .

OK I didn't finish it but it was so like previous episodes - doubtless going somewhere but via a far off galaxy. Wish I could burn it.

I run a bookshop - probably sold 1 set in 10 years. That ought to have been a clue

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It's gone daft

A disappointing addition to a hitherto wonderful yarn. Having Jack lead a band of heroes on a preposterous and convoluted mission.... having Newton racing about on boats trying to catch Jack.... all of it too silly. Give me more history and less histrionics, please.

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