These reviews were originally published over the period 2000–2002 in The Instrumentality, the newsletter of the Australian Science Fiction Foundation (ASFF).
A huge book in size and scope, and well worth the effort. Understandably popular in the computing fraternity.
One of Pratchett's "metaphysical" comedies, where "Death by Chocolate" is not just an item on the dessert menu.
A re-issued novel by the author of Cryptonomicon. A good read.
These generally unrelated books show some inescapable similarities.