some links for extended research:
The Baroque Cycle:
The Baroque Cycle - Wiki primer
Quicksilver MetawebCryptonomicon
In the beginning was the command line....
http://www.cryptonomicon.com/beginning.html
Cryptonomicon on Slashdot
Metaweb Wiki on Cryptonomicon
What's up with Enoch Root?
More Enoch Root cultism
What the Hell has Leibniz got to do with this? And Newton?
And some gonzo guide to cryptanalysis