Listing influential books: "The Baroque Cycle—a work of rigorously researched historical fiction with only the slightest overlay of science fiction—tells the s

Listing influential books: "The Baroque Cycle—a work of rigorously researched historical fiction with only the slightest overlay of science fiction—tells the story of the emergence of the modern world and its systems (democracy, the scientific method, financial markets, etc.) in a way that is wholly fresh. These novels make me think about what a Neal Stephenson of 2300 may write about our times and us." That last sentence is fascinating to me, and I think telling about what helps a Marc Andreessen stand out as a person.