From Neal Stephenson's 1999 novel Cryptonomicon. The narrative jumps between multiple timelines and characters, weaving together stories of World War II codebreaking efforts and modern-day cryptography. Key figures like Alan Turing and John von Neumann are featured, alongside fictional characters involved in espionage and the development of early computing technology. The plot explores themes of secrecy, war, and the intersection of mathematics and technology. The excerpt also touches on the personal lives and relationships of the characters, adding a layer of complexity to their experiences during wartime and beyond.

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