Rating: 
Summary: It's not the size that matters...
Review: Many people have complained about the length of this book, but with 4 interwoven plot lines it couldn't have been much shorter. The only sections that were completely unnecessary were the little humorous anecdotes such as the section on the mathematics of ejaculation, but these quirky parts are where Stephenson's originality and humor really shine through. I don't have a whole lot to add to what has been said here. It's a very engrossing novel that manages to be simultaneously highly-detailed and entertaining-- a rare feat! My only complaints? The present-day plot isn't very interesting at first. It's hard to really care about whether two guys make money. Also, I don't care much for Stephenson's politics. I don't happen to think it's a good thing for a bunch of hackers to possess an unbreakable code, and I don't exactly hate the FBI for trying to prevent such an occurrence. On the whole though, it's a very good story.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite Good
Review: I enjoyed this book, and sugest reading it. Althought there were typos (several) and the lack of meaningful roles for women in the book. Well the typo's did not throw me off, it was obvious that they used a Microsoft spell checker which explains the error's. As for the role of women in the book, they (women) fare better in Cryptonomicon, than in any Clancy read.If you're in a rut, this book is definitely a way out. The only problem I found was the mention of using the C language in the Cryptonomicon. It was not clear how the C language could have gotten in there since even if the Cryptonomicon was added to through the 60's C would still not yet exist. I learned a lot of new stuff by reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely amazing!
Review: This book transcends everything Stephenson has ever written. It is just fabulous. Yes, it's 920 pages long, each page filled with information and trivia, but I found that it was not boring like most other 900 page books I've read (compare this one to Gormenghast...). If I could set a higher star rating than 5 on this book, I definitely would. This is worth a 6. Its sheer scope is just enormous, and if this is the beginning of a series, then it might definitely go down as an epoch-making saga. I mean, Stephenson has to be one of the most innovative and daring authors since William Gibson (and Gibson's work has large similarities to Blade Runner), though it isn't just as redefining as Snow Crash was (because now you have a fair idea of what to expect if you've read any of Stephenson's novels), but its depth so surpasses Snow Crash's that it is a much better book. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding--I was greedily reading until page 910.
Review: When I first picked up Cryptonomicon I thought, "Goodie! This one will keep me busy for awhile." 900 pages qualifies as a tome in my library. No such luck. I read it in 3 days. I got up at 4am today to finish it. This book sucks you in and doesn't let go. I WANT MORE. If you're looking for a fascinating read, this is it. The worlds of war, math, the internet, politics, treasure hunting, and of course cryptography collide in a vortex that keeps your butt in your seat. Some of the other reviewers thought it was too long--no way. I can't wait to read the next one. I really enjoyed experiencing the lives of these characters. The plot is meaty and the digressions--math debates, philosophy, hard-core compuspeak, etc--keep your head in the game. There is no way you can skip ahead, skim, etc without losing the thread of the complex plot. This is great for an adept book cheater like me (I usually whittle a 900 pager down to about 300 in short order.). And, despite a few inaccuracies my disbelief was well suspended.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reading
Review: Superb. I even liked the lengthy passage on eating cereal. This book probably appeals to the niche of people who enjoy computers more than to the average, but being one of "those" people, I love it.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the effort but needs editing
Review: In general, I enjoyed this book. I was, however, annoyed and distracted by the (way too many) typos and by the set pieces that had nothing to do with anything. The way Randy Waterhouse's weird family decides who gets what from a relative's will by moving the objects around a parking lot is a case in point. There are also too many factual errors. To give only one example, some time before the end of the war, General MacArthur's aide refers to "Sir Winston Churchill," but Churchill didn't get his knighthood until 1953. Still, it's an agreeable page-turner.
Rating:
Summary: More Fiction than Sci-Fi
Review: This is an excellent book. It has many unique and intelligent ideas. It was difficult to put down... and that's difficult in itself. (The book has a noticable weight factor.) I am a highly technical person. The book doesn't need to take place in the future. The intertwined story lines make it quite interesting, but they aren't past and future, they are past and present. It's revisionist history, but possible -- and very well done. Neal describes things for the non-techie too... but not so far as to insult them. The "book" really is a bunch of books, but I am very glad that they were not arranged any differently.
Rating: 
Summary: 3.49 stars.
Review: Stephenson has a gift for breathing vitality, energy, and wonder into scientific concepts which could easily become dull and lifeless. _Cryptinomicon_ is a wonderful read. But after reading _Diamond Age_ and _Snow Crash_, it's become obvious to me that Stephenson *does not* know how to subdue the ending. For those who aren't aggravated by weak endings, and for people who'd love to read the best spin on cryptography written, I'd highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome! Stephenson is welcome to any beer in my fridge!
Review: I literally just finished this book and am startled to find myself considering reading it again after 900 pages. Stephenson sculpts an enthralling tale spanning three generations of World War II heros, crypto/math geniuses, treasure hunters, government haters, crypto-hating governments, prisoners of war cum successful business men amidst reconstruction, submariners, steamy impromptu sex, and technobubba-geek profiling. Also divinely placed, as opposed to thrown in: techno-thriller action, an internet venture company, a corrupt Chinese general, a down-to-earth understanding of those weirdos waiting for cybernetic implants, a card game called Solitaire that is more then it seems, Cap'n Crunch & ice cold whole milk, masturbation, and people more paranoid than I am who turn out to be right. It's effect on me: total enjoyment, neglecting of work, friends, and my girlfriend, topping off my paranoia tank, and my open invitation to Neal Stephenson should he ever visit this town. The book switches contexts between its two theatres of the tale: the World War II time frame and the present day time frame. The two stories are intertwined with each other, each section spawning the next, even though they are in separate time frames, like teeth on a temporal mobius zipper. None of the technology in this book is far-fetched. It is all done with today's technology. Do not worry: You need not be a cyber-crypto-math guru to understand, as it is explained pretty clearly. You might even gain some insight into technobubben as well as picking up some knowledge yourself. The book may seem to barely skate into the sci-fi category, but the real reason for the sci-fi classification is the concept that is the basis for forming the company Epiphyte. This is a core part of the story, so I shan't spoil it for you. Start reading this book. Go ahead...pick it up in the store and read the first part or read the excerpt at the web site. The book will justify itself. Don't worry about the typos. If they really bother you, just grin quietly, pull up a notepad, and think about steganography.
Rating:
Summary: Complex and original
Review: Not only was the story original, but even the writing style was different. Some reviewers wish it had been shorter, but then there would have been those who wanted it longer. I enjoy these type of complex plots that don't necessarily have to hand the reader all the answers up front or even at the end. I also recommend, if you like this type, Doherty's AREA 51 series or a new book, ATLANTIS.
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