Positives: I really loved the descriptions of computer science and cryptography. I work in IT and Stephenson did an excellent job explaining the science. I also genuinely liked Randy, Ari, and Enoch.

Negatives: I wasn't enthralled with the gender roles in this book, and became very impatient during the long mathematical description of horniness and "sigma." In fact, the long spiels about women basically being a device to reduce male horniness so they can concentrate on important things is actually a serious turn-off.

WTF: A woman running your car off the road with a U-Haul is not normal woman behavior. You should run away at high speed.