Kindle
$17.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$17.39
Audio CD
$30.46
Buy new:
$30.46
List Price: $57.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Save: $27.53 (47%)
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, April 25 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, April 24. Order within 9 hrs 45 mins
Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
$$30.46 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$30.46
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Neal Stephenson
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Termination Shock: A Novel Audio CD – Unabridged, November 16, 2021

by Neal Stephenson (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 7,860
Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$30.46","priceAmount":30.46,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"30","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"46","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"j9EikuzqOjwV%2BAp5VZ4QZ1S9PfFoy9wvETH7yKikShyIt1O4Ocw1IjjLr5unmlUsQqo3D6IBrqCcV6iK6sjpe%2BO3AgXcz4422dD6%2Bf4x2HDS9ALK421zGVurLWaMygDLj15XUpolpUPA5abkHP6DHw%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

[ MP3 CD Format ]

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.

  Report an issue with this product or seller
Previous page
  1. Print length
    1 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing
  4. Publication date
    November 16, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    5.3 x 0.6 x 6.7 inches
  6. ISBN-13
    979-8200746378
  7. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Neal Stephenson is known for his speculative fiction works, variously categorized as science fiction, historical fiction, maximalism, and cyberpunk. He is the author of several New York Times bestselling novels.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B096CYN7KF
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing; Unabridged MP3CD edition (November 16, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Audio CD ‏ : ‎ 1 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8200746378
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.3 x 0.6 x 6.7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 7,860

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Neal Stephenson

Neal Stephenson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Neal Town Stephenson (born October 31, 1959) is an American writer, known for his speculative fiction works, which have been variously categorized science fiction, historical fiction, maximalism, cyberpunk, and postcyberpunk. Stephenson explores areas such as mathematics, cryptography, philosophy, currency, and the history of science. He also writes non-fiction articles about technology in publications such as Wired Magazine, and has worked part-time as an advisor for Blue Origin, a company (funded by Jeff Bezos) developing a manned sub-orbital launch system.

Born in Fort Meade, Maryland (home of the NSA and the National Cryptologic Museum) Stephenson came from a family comprising engineers and hard scientists he dubs "propeller heads". His father is a professor of electrical engineering whose father was a physics professor; his mother worked in a biochemistry laboratory, while her father was a biochemistry professor. Stephenson's family moved to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois in 1960 and then to Ames, Iowa in 1966 where he graduated from Ames High School in 1977. Stephenson furthered his studies at Boston University. He first specialized in physics, then switched to geography after he found that it would allow him to spend more time on the university mainframe. He graduated in 1981 with a B.A. in Geography and a minor in physics. Since 1984, Stephenson has lived mostly in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in Seattle with his family.

Neal Stephenson is the author of the three-volume historical epic "The Baroque Cycle" (Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of the World) and the novels Cryptonomicon, The Diamond Age, Snow Crash, and Zodiac. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
7,860 global ratings
Best Clmate Change Novel Yet, Wide in scope, deep in concept, fine in execution.
5 Stars
Best Clmate Change Novel Yet, Wide in scope, deep in concept, fine in execution.
Best work of climate change fiction I've seen. Stephenson is a master of hard techno sf. He also can't write anything short. It's got 140-degree heat in Waco, a jet crash involving a herd of wild boar, a Dutch Queen on a secret mission, and an ex-military guy who needs a new mission after killing the boar that ate his daughter...and that's just the beginning. Terrific writing, but I strongly recommend the audible version which walks you along at the author's pace rather than letting you jump ahead and miss the detail.Perfect for fans of Kim Stanley Robinson, Paolo Bacigalupi, Bruce Sterling and of course...Stephenson himself.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Diego Charry
5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting exploration of climate catastrophe and geoengineering
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
"Termination Shock" by Neal Stephenson is a tour de force in speculative fiction, seamlessly blending themes of climate change, geopolitics, and technological innovation into a compelling narrative that feels eerily prescient. As a reader deeply engaged with the intersection of science fiction and reality, I found myself captivated by Stephenson's masterful storytelling and thought-provoking insights.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its portrayal of the dire consequences of climate change and the urgency of addressing it. Through vivid imagery and meticulous world-building, Stephenson paints a haunting picture of a world ravaged by extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation. What truly resonated with me was the realization of the immense carbon footprint we're leaving for future generations to grapple with. Stephenson's portrayal of this reality serves as a wake-up call, reminding us of the urgent need for action to mitigate climate catastrophe.

Moreover, "Termination Shock" brilliantly explores the intersection of geopolitics and geoengineering, offering a glimpse into a future where nations vie for control over resources and influence through ambitious technological solutions. Stephenson's portrayal of the geopolitical tensions that arise when these forces collide is both gripping and thought-provoking. The prospect of a third world war sparked by the convergence of geopolitics and geoengineering feels chillingly plausible, serving as a stark warning against the dangers of unchecked technological advancement.

What sets "Termination Shock" apart is Stephenson's ability to craft a narrative that feels both speculative and deeply grounded in reality. His meticulous attention to detail and expert storytelling create a world that feels as though it could be our own, making the novel's warnings all the more urgent and compelling.

In conclusion, "Termination Shock" is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of our planet and the potential consequences of inaction in the face of climate change. Neal Stephenson's masterful blend of science fiction and social commentary makes for a truly unforgettable reading experience that will leave readers both entertained and profoundly moved.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Quinton Zondervan
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Satirical Climate Disaster Science Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
Anything from Stephenson is automatically on my reading list. His writing is always very vivid, always thought provoking and almost always highly entertaining. I was extremely pleasantly surprised to discover that this novel features a minor character from my native Suriname (we are very rare in real life and so too in fiction), as well as major characters from Punjab, the Netherlands and a mixed race Black American Comanche. So that part was extra fun for me. Stephenson really got his non-white character game on in this novel and I appreciate him a lot for that! It’s also a novel about climate change, so as a longtime climate activist, of course I had to read it. That all being said, it was a little bit light on the science fiction side, reading almost like a contemporary action thriller set in the very near future. Other than the Covid-27 reference he doesn’t give us much of an idea when the action takes place, but I get the sense that it’s maybe 10 or max 20 years or so from now. But weirdly the cars are not as autonomous as one might expect, AI makes a few minor appearances, and overall the novel is fairly low-tech, featuring a lot of drone action which is cool, but not a big stretch in terms of the current state of technology. A lot of the dialog feels almost like satire, making light of modern tech billionaires, constitutional monarchies, international diplomats, and pretty much everyone. Where the novel really shines is with the two main characters who are headed for a collision course. One is a reluctant hero and the other is not quite the anti-hero, and he does a good job with both of them the whole way through. The Dutch Queen character is adorable but feels a little on the lighter side. In general he doesn’t do the female characters as much justice as the males, which is not surprising in general but it is for Stephenson because he’s done a lot of great work with female lead characters in other novels. This novel in some ways also reads like a sci-fi take on the western cowboy novel, which must have been intentional. I enjoyed that aspect of it but I imagine it’s not for everyone. As far as the climate change angle goes, compared to Kim Stanley Robinson I think Stephenson falls a little bit short there. The climate science and geoengineering feels accurate, and is certainly adequate, but it seems to serve mostly as a somewhat static backdrop for the action, which is in classical Stephenson fashion phenomenally visual, intense and entertaining. It does make for a weird contrast with the fairly lighthearted, matter of fact tone of the dialog, which never really goes very deep emotionally. The characters seem to mostly just accept their fate without much angst or contemplation beyond the obvious. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; it keeps the novel fun and entertaining, but it does feel like a guilty pleasure to me, as a climate activist, because it’s dealing with such an important and heavy topic. I never got that feeling reading KSR, who takes climate change extremely seriously in his novels, and reflects a lot more of the deep emotional pain that people experience as they come to terms with the climate crisis we are perpetrating. Last but not least the novel has a pretty dark take on American politics. He doesn’t dive deep there either, but describes our country as a “basket case” and worse. Not that I disagree with his assessment, it’s just interesting to see such candor from an American author about how messed up our politics really are. Anyway, if you’re a Stephenson fan I highly recommend this book because you’ll not be disappointed. If you’re not yet a fan I suggest starting with some of his older fare first. If you’re interested because of the climate angle I would say: don’t expect too much there, other than of course a firm acknowledgement that climate disaster is upon us, and an interesting take on how attempted geoengineering might go down. And if you’re looking for a relatively light, action packed, multi-ethnic/multi-cultural sci-fi cowboy western, this is definitely the book for you!
40 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Steven M. (AKA Bobby Goliath, comedian)
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent writer, how did he escape my attention for so long
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
My reviews are always for the author; the stars should be enough for a consumer. Mr. Stephenson, I pride myself on not only being a voracious reader, but someone who feasts on the literary fiction writers of the last 60 decades - yes, sometimes I get hooked on trashy sc-fi battle series - starting in my early teens with some already time tested authors like Heinlein, or Asimov. Yes, there's a trend. I like sci-fi and thrillers that lean that way, but I'll also read anything by Ken Foliet and other great writers of other genres. This is the third book of yours I've picked up - in a row I might add - and wondering how I missed you. The last one I read was published in 1999' which means I had never heard of you for decades. I'm certainly glad I have. The author who really hooked me and inspired me to write was Stephen King. It wasn't so much his stories - although most were very good and some were fantastic even though he didn't know how to end a story - as it was his characters. They felt real. They talked and acted real. Your character development is as good, if not better, in that they are unique and true to who they are. Add that along with your story arcs, premises, and attention to add every day details makes you one of the best, in my book. See that, a really bad pun.

Write on dude
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Bramster
5.0 out of 5 stars Second time reading it!
Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
I’m halfway through the book the second time around. I amazed at the way Neal Stephenson shows, he doesn’t just tell.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
S.Lethbridge
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in Spain on February 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
Neal Stephenson back to his very best. I don't know why he does collaborations, but none of these stack up well against the books he writes alone. He is one of my top 5 writers in the world for both his ideas, and writing skills 😄
Report
Jeremy Walton
5.0 out of 5 stars Weather with you
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2023
Verified Purchase
Neal Stephenson makes a comparatively late addition to the cli-fi genre with a novel whose title sounds like the name of a heavy metal band. Characteristically, he sets the scene with his very first sentence:

"Houston's air was too hot to support airplanes."

in the same way he opened his novel "Seveneves" by saying that the moon blew up "with no warning and for no apparent reason". This book is set in some unspecified time in the near future (there's a clever reference to "COVID-19, COVID-23 and COVID-27" on p29) when the effects of climate change (like the atmosphere being too warm for planes to fly) have become more extreme. The heroine of the story is Saskia, the Queen of the Netherlands, a low-lying country which is painfully susceptible to the effects of rising sea-level. Despite her title, Saskia is a typical Stephenson character: sensible, resourceful and accomplished - thus, as the story opens, she's trying to land her plane in Texas, having piloted it across the Atlantic.

She's meeting with T.R. Schmidt, an oil billionaire, who's attempting to reverse global warming with a solar geoengineering scheme - more specifically, by injecting sulphur into the atmosphere, forming aerosols which cool the atmosphere by reflecting solar radiation back into space. As usual in Stephenson's books, the details of how this is done and the way technical issues are overcome are presented clearly, but the fact that Schmidt is doing this unilaterally has geopolitical repercussions, illustrating the fact that the effects of geoengineering may not be spread evenly around the world. Tensions develop between countries like the Netherlands who would benefit from the scheme, and those like India, who apparently wouldn't. Meanwhile, China uses sophisticated cyberwarfare techniques to influence the debate in the Netherlands about geoengineering (a feature of this future world is that, despite the increased effects of climate change, there's still no consensus about what to do about it).

I'm a big fan of Stephenson's books, so - despite its usual heft - read this one very quickly. Its subject is timely: whilst reading it, I had a conversation with someone who'd experienced this summer's hurricanes in Florida, describing record storm surges that overwhelmed houses that - it unfortunately turned out - were insufficiently elevated. The characters are skillfully delineated - for example, one of them who works in the (London) City was "fresh out of a posh education, sent down to the City for seasoning and to rack up some millions and find a wife who would enjoy picking out curtains in Sussex" [p155]. Recommended.
Report
Jonny
3.0 out of 5 stars intéressant mais
Reviewed in France on October 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
Le livre est intéressant, mais pas passionnant. Dommage de la part de cet auteur que j'adore.
Report
Saurabh Prabhu
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertainment modern scifi
Reviewed in India on September 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
Best thing about the book is that it is not set in some distant dystopia or alien space. It's set in the not so distant future with a realistic premise. Entertaining throughout, but not as hard-sciency as some of Stephensons previous books. I'd categorise it more as a general thriller than sci-fi. Slightly over the top in some of the narratives, but not ridiculously so.
One person found this helpful
 Report