Currency

Book Seven of The Baroque Cycle

By: Neal Stephenson

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

Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Daniel Waterhouse finds himself embroiled in a dark conflict that has been raging in the shadows for decades. It is a secret war between the brilliant, enigmatic Master of the Mint (and closet alchemist) Isaac Newton and his archnemesis, the insidious counterfeiter Jack the Coiner, a.k.a. Jack Shaftoe, King of the Vagabonds. Hostilities are suddenly moving to a new and more volatile level, as Jack plots a daring assault on the Tower of London itself, aiming for nothing less than the total corruption of Britain’s newborn monetary system.

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.

Listen to more titles in the Baroque Cycle.

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

Critic reviews

“[Stephenson is] a know-it-all and a show-off, no doubt about it, but he gets away with the lectures, digressions and excruciatingly cataloged details because he is so damn funny and inventive.” ( San Francisco Chronicle)

Very Keen Indeed!

Stephenson does it yet again! I appreciate how this series captured my interest with the first book and each subsequent book adds a new layer of intrigue. I've learned more about 17th Century Europe from Neal Stephenson than in four years of High School, and thoroughly enjoyed it in the process! I can't wait to tackle the final book.

continues to thrill

the Baroque Cycle is amazing. I started back when the first book came out and it is now entertaining me through the audible app. Looking forward to the next installation.

OK, the story is starting to get good

It's a long slog through the Baroque Cycle to get to this book, but by the time you get to books 7, then 8, you really need to finish them. By the time you get to Currency, the story is coming together. You know the characters, and motivations start to make sense. I would be hard pressed to say the entire series is worth the investment, but once you've gotten this far, finish it!

Excellent

Have enjoyed each book and looking forward to the final book.
Will start it after this note.

great but complex<br />

need female reader
complex book
good weave with history
five more words words words words

The threads of the story are coming together

Fantastic continuation of the series. Things are coming to a head. Can't wait to see how it all ends.

It's a wonder we're here at all.

Any additional comments?

My main commentary is on the last (System of the World) part of this amazing eight part epic. Can't say enough about how much fun it was.

the story continues to unfold with humor and whit

a great saga...! the momentum continues in this adventurous and witty book! any reader of the earlier books will thoroughly enjoy this next segment.

Bringing it all together...

“For most of the day and night, time oppresses me. It is only when I am at work on the innards of a clock-or a lock-that time stops."
- Neal Stephenson, The Currency

Stephenson continues the last volume (The System of the World) of his Baroque trilogy with Book 7: "Currency". Like in Book 6, Solomon's Gold, "Currency" is primarily focused on Daniel Waterhouse trying to track down Jack Shaftoe (or Jack the Counterfeiter) who is making England's money financially dubious by messing with the Pyx (and hence putting ALL of England's currency at risk). Isaac Newton is helping Daniel Waterhouse track down Jack, both because as the Master of the Mint his reputation (and head) are at risk. But he is also motivated because as an alchemist he suspects that Jack Shaftoe has some of Solomon's gold. While all of this is going on Eliza is trying to help Princess Caroline survive the inevitable succession issues that will develop (including assassination attempts) once Queen Anne dies.

This has probably been the least "exciting" of the novels, but like any long work (eventually, the Baroque Cycle will clock in at about 2650 pages) there are bound to be parts of a work that float down the narrative current rather than quant down. Still, I did enjoy it.

Still Going Strong

A great penultimate edition to this series.
Very excited to see how it all ends.