Termination Shock

A Novel

By: Neal Stephenson

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

New York Times Bestseller

From Neal Stephenson—who coined the term “metaverse” in his 1992 novel Snow Crash—comes a sweeping, prescient new thriller that transports readers to a near-future world in which the greenhouse effect has inexorably resulted in a whirling-dervish troposphere of superstorms, rising sea levels, global flooding, merciless heat waves, and virulent, deadly pandemics.

“Stephenson is one of speculative fiction’s most meticulous architects. . . . Termination Shock manages to pull off a rare trick, at once wildly imaginative and grounded.” — New York Times Book Review

One man—visionary billionaire restaurant chain magnate T. R. Schmidt, Ph.D.—has a Big Idea for reversing global warming, a master plan perhaps best described as “elemental.” But will it work? And just as important, what are the consequences for the planet and all of humanity should it be applied?

Ranging from the Texas heartland to the Dutch royal palace in the Hague, from the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sunbaked Chihuahuan Desert, Termination Shock brings together a disparate group of characters from different cultures and continents who grapple with the real-life repercussions of global warming. Ultimately, it asks the question: Might the cure be worse than the disease?

Epic in scope while heartbreakingly human in perspective, Termination Shock sounds a clarion alarm, ponders potential solutions and dire risks, and wraps it all together in an exhilarating, witty, mind-expanding speculative adventure.

Just a tad disappointed

I'm used to the author building a story over a long time. I'm not used to flimsy and predictable love/sex just thrown in to tie two characters. I'm used to the author pandering to the notion of the benevolent billionaire. I'm not used to it somehow justifying environmental ecocide for the benefit of one demographic. yes, it's just fiction - I get it. I'm also getting bored watching a great author trying to become the next Ayn Rand.

Entertaining and smart

I like Neal Stephenson's stories. This one might be more palatable for non-Stephenson fans.
I don't know if the story is plausible, but definitely thought provoking and a fun read.

Ended too soon!

What about Papua? Vadan? Was there termination shock? How long do we have to wait for the sequel? At first it seemed like the prequel to Seveneves but it opens up a much bigger discussion of geopolitics and climate change. Definitely worth another listen after I've digested this and done some homework. One of his best!

A Master of his Craft

A Queen, Comanche, Texan, and Sikh hero meet in a Texas showdown about CO2

What a great story

Yet another gripping and exciting one by Neal Stephenson. Thoroughly enjoyable and timely. In light of today’s climatic chaos created by greed, it’s worth thinking about the consequences of continuing the current course and direction.