First extended exposure to Stephenson...Boy, can this guy present some crazy ideas in a totally rational, thoughtful, way. This novel vacillates so quickly between the aforementioned outrageous exposition and totally kick ass action scenes it's a bit disorienting. Thankfully, that outrageous exposition is quite thought-provoking and those action scenes are really very bad ass. I enjoyed this one immensely and had to continually remind myself it was written in the early 90's. Amazing that he came up with some of this stuff that long ago...Recommend to anyone who enjoys a good techno-thriller with a healthy dash of cyber-punk.