Rating: 
Summary: It's... different
Review: I'd wager that most people familiar with Mr. Stephenson's work are expecting something along the lines of Snow Crash or Cryptonomicon, something that is certainly not delivered here. In contrast to the breakneck pace of the two books mentioned, Quicksilver seems positively glacial. However, it possesses a deep and intruiging storyline with well-developed characters for those patient enough to keep reading through the slower portions of the book.Most obvious is the setting: while most of Stephenson's previous work is set in the fairly near future, Quicksilver is set around the turn of the century - the 18th century. Still, the themes remain the same: his heroes are working to develop new technologies and sciences that have the potential to revolutionize the world. Here we meet historic characters like Issac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz, who mix with Stephenson's quirky, inventive characters and work to develop the budding field of Natural Philosophy (you probably know it as science). While there are certainly similarities between this and Stephenson's earlier work, the differences are major and may turn off fans of said earlier work. Aside from the glacial pacing mentioned earlier, the cast of supporting characters is large and can become very confusing - the various political stances of the characters can become important to the plot, but tend to be difficult to keep in your mind. Taking notes while you read might not be a bad idea; a "Dramatis Personae" in the back of the book is helpful to jog your memory, but is sparse on details and contains some spoilers. All in all, I reccommend this book, but not without some reservations. It may not be the book for those who lack patience and would rather read a good page-turner, but for those with the willingness to stick it out and read through almost a thousand slow pages will find an historical epic worthy of the time invested. Personally, I am eagerly awaiting the sequel, but many readers will certainly find the book too slow for their tastes. If you enjoyed Stephenson's previous work, don't just buy this and expect it to be more of the same; instead, consider if historical epics are your cup of tea.
Rating: 
Summary: Straight historical fiction..,
Review: Like many, I have enjoyed Neal Stephenson's previous works. Quicksilver was a letdown because it just goes over historical events that have been written about numerous times and from every conceivable angle. No new ground is broken here. Sure, there are some trademark Stephenson smart-ass paragraphs thrown in but they come across as attempts to liven up fallow ground. I don't begrudge Mr. Stephenson's trip into historical fiction but I really hope he chooses not to dwell here for the rest of his career.
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of potential but huge disappointment
Review: I am a huge fan of all the previous Stephenson books I have read (Zodiac, Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon). What makes his books so great are that they are extremenly well-researched and deal with complex subjects in an entertaining way. He also has a great sense of humor. But Quicksilver is lacking the same humor that runs through his previous books--I didn't laugh at all throughout the 900+ pages. And the characters are much more one-dimensional than in his other books, you really don't care what happens to anyone.There is also no plot--while Cryptonomicon was a real page turner, I just wanted to get Quicksilver over with... like a doctor's appointment. For someone who wants to learn a lot about 17th century Europe, this book will serve you quite well. But if you want an entertaining story with an exciting plot or good character development, this book falls flat. I am not anxiously awaiting his next book The COnfusion.
Rating:
Summary: drivel
Review: I have been a fan of Neal's for sometime. I have enjoyed a number of his works. Quicksilver is one that I did not enjoy. The only delight was in the first couple of chapters. These first few chapters were interesting and engaging. After that it goes down hill fast. While I have an interest in science, philosophy, and history I found the articulation of these wonderful subjects very much lacking in Quicksilver. The premise is wonderful, but written badly and the characters becom wooden and puppet like. It hurts to say this, because I truly enjoyed Neal's other works. Clearly, I would not recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Long AND Boring!
Review: I'm a huge fan of Cryptonomicon--one of my all-time favorite reads--and I expected something big from Stephenson. I was suspicious when I learned that this book would take place during the Age of Reason. Yawn. When I heard that it was part of the "Baroque" cycle, I groaned in pain--the word doesn't exactly get one excited. I suffered through the book. I mean suffered. I had to force myself to read it, hoping that it would get going. There's hardly any tension. I never cared about any of the characters like I did in Crypto. I just didn't care about any of it. Big deal. Who cares? And the historical name-dropping: way too much. It became irritating. It was bordering on cute. Very bad. I'm going to re-read Crypto and try to put this experience behind me. Do not trust anyone claiming to like this book. They need serious help.
Rating:
Summary: delightful complex historical tale
Review: Princess Caroline commands Enoch Root to go to Boston to persuade computational systems developer Daniel Waterhouse to come to Europe. The royal wants Daniel to mediate a geometrically growing mathematical squabble. Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz claim the invention of calculus. The two geniuses are locked in a feud that could destroy the enlightened foundations of empirical data as the basis to support scientific claims. Daniel, a friend of both scientists, sails to Europe as he muses over the scientific revolution that took root in the previous century. Urchin Jack Shaftoe treks across Europe doing odd jobs like pretending to be a Musketeer until he meets Eliza in Austria. She is an English woman who escaped a Turkish harem that was her home as a teen. She wants vengeance on the merchant that sold her into slavery and feels Jack can help her achieve her objective. Ultimately she works her way up from the former muddy street rascal to English and French royalty. QUICKSILVER is a delightful complex telling of the birth and impact of the scientific revolution. The story line recreates some of the greats like Newton, Leibniz, and Hooke as they interact with key fictional figures. The novel contains three "books" that focus on the Age of Reason so that the audience feels they are traveling with Daniel, Jack, and Eliza. Neal Stephenson makes the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century seem vividly alive at a critical junction in when reason and technology changed the world as few eras did before or since. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Simply Wonderful!
Review: I picked up the book three days ago and haven't been able to put it down! If you love history, science, philosophy, and a great story, read this book. I loved Cryptonomicon, and while I am only half way through Quicksilver, this is better.
Rating: 
Summary: 4 stars because I have yet to finish it
Review: Well I won't go into great length because I have yet to finish the book but so far it is great! I have been waiting for this since the moment I finished Crytonomicon and so far the wait has been justified. His approach to history is as thourough as ever leaving you with a definate feel for England of the 1600's. Newtons character is especially enjoyable as it gives a bit of humanity to a historical entity that previously seemed too exaulted to be really human. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Quicksilver, a true piece of Literature
Review: I was introduced to Neal Stephenson about two years ago with Snow Crash. I was immediately hooked on his style. Beginning with Cryptonomicon, Stephenson began a new genre of writing. WIth the Baroque Cycle, he has created a genius piece of literature. I was surprised page after page at the depth of research, the complexity of story, and the nuanced alternative universe he has created, which includes Cryptonomicon. I have read Quicksilver twice, own the Limited Edition volume, and have read The Confusion once so far. I am eagerly anticipating the completion of the Cycle, and will mourn it as well. I don't want to leave the world he has created.
Rating:
Summary: Rewarding for the patient, but not without flaws
Review: For those who may be looking for something in the vein of Snow Crash or The Diamond Age, this is not it (try Altered Carbon instead). And while _QS_ has some similarities to Cryptonomicon, there can be no doubt that it represents an evolution of Stephenson's style. It is certainly chock-a-block with historical trivia, cryptographic arcana, and (possibly too much) exposition. But, as other reviewers have noted, one cannot help feeling that the book might have benefitted from more aggressive editing.
That said, _QS_ is clearly quite an achievement. Stephenson does a great job of bringing to life a period when the western world-view was rapidly changing, and the political, economic, scientific and religious foundations of what we think of as the modern world were being laid. While readers who already have some familiarity with Restoration England -- or with Newton's life and work -- may find the first part of the book a little slow, the pace quickens, and I found that the second half of the book went very quickly.
Overall, I recommend the book to fans of Cryptonomicon, and those interested in this period in western history. Note -- this review was written after reading Volume 2, The Confusion. The 4 stars may in part reflect my satisfaction with where Stephenson took things in the second book.
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