Neal Stephenson’s work isn’t what comes to mind when asked to prove that good things can come in small packages, but Atmosphæra Incognita is proof of exactly that. Rather than a towering novel, this is novella about a tower. In a scant hundred or so pages, Stephenson manages to engineer a steel extrusion process and pinpoint the ideal location for its needs, build a tower twenty kilometers in height, and breathe life into the characters needed to complete the project.

Atmosphæra Incognita takes into account a variety of issues that a tower of twenty kilometers might call into question: materials, engineering, structural stability, climate, wind patterns, earthquakes, tourism, economy, use for future endeavors like rocketry, and politics. For fans who crave the richness and obsessive attention to detail that Neal Stephenson delivers, but haven’t had the time to jump into his latest novel entitled Fall, or Dodge in Hell, this is a more bite-sized option.


Thanks to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for the provided e-ARC and the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest, unbiased, and voluntary. #NetGalley #AtmosphæraIncognita @SubPress

Neal Stephenson is a well-lauded author. I haven't read any of his works before, but I do have a few of his other novels ("Seven Eves" and "Snow Crash") on my "want to read" list. The title and cover art drew me to Stephenson's latest creative endeavor, and when I requested a copy on NetGalley I recieved one pretty soon after.

This book can be read in a single sitting. It's less than 100 pages. And for me, that was part of the problem. 

I never got to know the characters. I never connected with Carl or Emma or anyone else because 90% of the story focused on the construction of the Tower. Which wouldn't have been a problem except nothing about the construction was interesting. Steel this and girders that and rebars and so on.

A twenty-kilometer-high tower (so high that it goes into space) is unheard of, which is part of the reason this book is labeled as SF, but that's really the only aspect that makes it so. The rest of the story focused on weather problems. Seriously. Weather problems. And steel manufacturing. And real estate (should the Tower's home base be in California? Arizona? Nevada?).

I was hoping for more of a character-driven story rather than an instruction manual. Maybe I'm not as Intellectual as some other readers, but my interest was never piqued, and since there really wasn't a first, second, or third act, nor a climax or resolution, I can't say the plot was stimulating either. 

I believe that Neal Stephenson is a great writer, but this book is not a good example.

This was my first encounter with Neal Stephenson, and it definitely won't be my last. It's rather short at just over 100 pages, but I loved ever word of it. Who knew space towers could be so much fun? Lots of action and the characters are very well written. I really enjoyed this story.

A lovely little short story from Neal Stephenson. When man's reach exceeds his grasp, all manner of technical problems ensue. Building a tower reaching 20 kilometers into the heavens is an engineering challenge of epic proportions. Even in the context of using our most advanced technology, Stephenson's characters are incredibly grounded and down to earth, which gives this story its real charm.

I read this as soon as it landed on my Kindle, because I'm a huge Neal Stephenson fan. This was interesting-- mostly a narration about the highest building ever built, up into the atmosphere. Not a lot of dialogue or character or plot, but it still held my interest because Stephenson is so awesome at world-building.

Lou Jacobs's Reviews > Atmosphæra Incognita

Atmosphæra Incognita by Neal Stephenson
Atmosphæra Incognita
by Neal Stephenson (Goodreads Author)
M 50x66
Lou Jacobs's review Jun 05, 2019 · edit
really liked it

This short novella appeals to hard SF geeks. Stephenson presents a dazzling narrative exploring the detailed technological innovations entailed in a project to construct a twenty kilometer high tower that reaches to the junction of our atmosphere and outer space. Virtually creating a vertical city that serves as a platform to the stars. The story unfolds in the eyes of real estate developer who is tasked by a self-made, eccentric billionaire to find the most ideal property site to construct this monolith. The same developer stays on to be the administrator of the project. Presented are the "scientific" solutions and innovations necessary to bring this engineering feat to fruition. Although the science presented is awesome, there is something lacking in human interest. Although some people are trapped near the top of the tower ... there is little in the way of drama and intrigue.
This short novella apparently is to be part of a bigger book: Hieroglyph. A series of stories designed to envision new ideas for the future ... hopefully in a more optimistic and realistic approach. Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. Once again, Stephenson's amazing skill in Science Fiction is realized.

This is an unusually short work by this well-known author, but a good one! The story is concise and interesting, and you'll probably learn a few things along a way. Recommended.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Fun short story based on the premise of building a tower to space. All from the perspective of a commercial real estate agent.
Neal Stephenson is always at his best with hard sci-fi. The engineering and science in this story are all on poin (to the best of my knowledge).. I was left hoping that someone builds this tower exactly as described.
If you like engineering sci-fi, this idea a story for you.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this

Neal Stephenson is a science fiction badass. His work usually spans pages, chapters, and volumes.

This book is on the slim side but showcases Stephenson’s talent. In fact, this book could act as a brief introduction for those interested in this author.

Short but powerful.

Atmosphaera Incognita by Neal Stephenson- Neal Stephenson's latest, a novella rather than the usual exceedingly long works we are accustom to, is the modern day story of a billionaire who wants to erect a twenty-kilometer tower straight up through Earth's atmosphere and into space. The tale is told by of all people the real estate person, who he selects to find him properties, and goes on to become the de facto administrator for the project, because he trusts her. Told as a informational monologue with bits of human interaction, the story briefly outlines the major task of building the huge steel tower and the many different combinations or planning and ingenuity involved in attempting this. The last bit of the story becomes more of an adventure as things go wrong and people are trapped near the top. But nothing frantic or nail-biting happens. This is a rather sedate tale where the engineering and construction insight takes precedent over the human side of the story. I found the building awe inspiring, and I never miss anything Stephenson writes, but I was glad he decided to keep this one short.

I really like Stephenson's work but I can't imagine what he was thinking about with this one. This is a very quick read (maybe 30 minutes at most) and it's really just a thought experiment about building a 20 km tower. No, it isn't Babel or even Silverberg's TOWER OF GLASS. In fact, there's almost no story at all. I suspect Stephenson got the idea from the papers he references at the end and didn't see enough material for a book but was inspired enough to put something out there. Or maybe he needed a break while writing FALL OR DODGE. That is the one I'm really looking forward to.

As a limited hard cover for $22.50, you probably don't want this one.

Best 104 pages about a space tower EVER.

Short book but tons of action. A rich guy decides to build a metal building that reaches into space and the story goes over all the logistics to make it possible and how things can go very very wrong.

Stephenson continues his tales with this book. It is well written and an interesting read. It is the modern day Tower of Babel. I enjoyed learning about the engineering aspects of this project.

The geniuses of our era, in my opinion, are the late Stephen Hawking, John Connolly, and Neal Stephenson. I never miss anything Mr. Stephenson pens, even though sometimes I have to really stretch my brain to comprehend, because isn't that the point of science fiction? Of any literature? To stretch us, mold us, trigger us to evolve into our better selves?

In his very new novella Atmosphæra Incognita, a self-made, crusty, often irritable, and very bullishly determined billionaire decides to build a Tower: twenty kilometers in height, it will reach into that elusive junction of Earth's atmosphere with outer space. Why? Why do modern humans construct skyscrapers? Why the Tower of Babel? Why the Hanging Gardens of Bablyon? Perhaps here it is that unconscious desire of humankind to "knock on heaven's door," to "reach the stars," "ad astra per aspera." Mankind always reaching above himself: Icarus, Prometheus, billionaire Carl.