The System of the World - first US edition
by Neal Stephenson - signed
' The System of the World ' the third and final volume of the
"Baroque Cycle," begins in 1714. Daniel Waterhouse has returned to England,
hoping to mediate the feud between Sir Isaac Newton and Leibniz, both of whom
claim to have discovered the calculus and neither of whom is showing much
scientific rationality in the dispute. This brawl takes place against the
background of the imminent death of Queen Anne, which threatens a succession
crisis as Jacobite (Stuart, Catholic) sympathizers confront supporters of the
Hanoverian succession. But wait! What is going on at the Royal Mint?!?
Book has golden-rod boards, quarter-bound with pumpkin-orange cloth. Title and
ornamentation on the front board in gold. Maps of London and the lower Thames
River decorate the front and rear endpapers. Dust wrapper is price-intact at
$27.95, mylar protected. Author's signature appears on the title page from a
signing on Sep 29, 2004 at the book store where purchased.