The Confusion: The Baroque Cycle 2 Book

Neal Stephenson continues his extraordinary 'Baroque Cycle' in this sequel to his bestselling Quicksilver bringing to life a cast of unforgettable characters in a time of breathtaking genius and discovery. It is the late 1600s on the high seas. A group of Barbary galley slaves plot as they ply the oars of a pirate ship hatching a daring scheme to find an enormous cache of Spanish gold. Amazingly they succeed - leaving some very unhappy men behind who vow to hunt down the vagabonds and bring them to justice no matter the cost.-Meanwhile back in France the beautiful Eliza - toast of Versailles and spy extraordinaire - attempts to return to London with her baby a child whose paternity is shrouded in mystery. ; Making her way home her ship is stopped by a French privateer and she is returned to the Sun King's court. Thrown back into a web of international intrigue Eliza must contend with all manner of characters including buccaneers poisoners Jesuits financial manipulators and even a stray cryptographer - or two.