Cobweb Paperback – 5 Jan. 2006

This book (published in 1996) was the second of two novels Neal Stephenson wrote in collaboration with his uncle, historian George Jewsbury. I'd read the first one,  Interface , some time ago, but had neglected to pick this up until now. I'm very glad I did.The story's a fast-moving thriller about biochemical terrorism in the build-up to the first Gulf War in 1990, involving mysterious goings-on in a midwestern university town and at CIA headquarters in Washington. There's a wide cast of characters (including some historically contemporary figures such as George H.W. Bush and Tariq Aziz) which are scattered across a variety of locations, but the story is driven forward so deftly and with such confidence that you never lose track of either what's going on or the connection between events and people. I think of this skill as a particular hallmark of Stephenson's writing - perhaps best illustrated by his recent  Reamde  - a hefty masterpiece which, although sprawling and complicated, is still interesting and gripping.Readers familiar with his work will recognize other themes of the story, including a fascination with technology and an unsentimental view of the importance of family. There are some nice touches in the descriptions as well. Look, for example, at this [p138]:"Ebenezer was a plain-dealing and -speaking sort. In his mind all transactions more complex than, say, buying a plate of scrambled eggs at the Hy-Vee breakfast counter, and all relationships more complex than a lifelong, purely monogamous marriage between two virgins, belonged to a vast but vaguely defined category called 'shenanigans'".I greatly enjoyed this book - partly as a fascinating page-turner, and partly as a window back into a specific point in history which I hadn't thought about for a long time, in spite of having lived through it. Recommended.

This is set around the start of the First Gulf War and follows two main characters , an analyst called Bettsie and a troope called Clyde - in both their respective ways they uncover an Iraqi plot to deliver a bacteriologocal weapon into the Middle EastThis is not your standard Neal Stephenson fare but a more straight down the line thriller with some execllent characters and some very pointed comments about how government works - or does not work ..A guy called Millikan comes across as completely amoral (but as a diplomat that may be a good thing) and not at all interested in right or wrong - just what looks good for him - and having some experience of government the cobweb technique he uses to prevent things getting done is in use today ..The description of central government in the US is iguana like, sitting on a rock killing anything in range and not doing anything else was very well doneThe plot of the story rips along with what seem like a number of dead ends that open up to show the full horror of what was planned - and I won't spoil that , especially how the Russians get involvedA damm good story - well worth the read

This is a rumbustious thriller with well-drawn characters and a beautifully-detailed picture of middle America at the time of the Gulf War. Although the war features in the story, the action is confined to the USA, and is very well done indeed.The plot involves a likable young married couple with their first baby - he's a deputy sheriff and she's an ex-military nurse who is called up when trouble starts in the East.So we get to discover how Dad (who is a lot smarter than others suspect) handles the international terrorist plots whilst running for Sheriff and looking after baby, whilst (this is after all Neal Stephenson and his uncle writing) the intricate dealings in Washington and elsewhere are being exposed from other related viewpoints. I greatly enjoyed it, and found it hard to put down.Recommended!

One of the first books by Neal Stephenson. Not in the same vein as later books, but a rollicking good read. Delivered quickly, and in good condition.

I'm a big fan of the author and this didn't disappoint. Funny and clever and very good writing. An interesting insight into the Washington process too.

Cracking stuff