Stephenson is well worth the investment. He falls towards the technological side of things. I recommend Snow Crash to every one I meet. And anyone interested in computers should be required to read his In the Beginning was the Command Line, if only up to the "MGBs, TANKS, AND BATMOBILES" analogy.
Stephenson is great. I am about halfway through "System of the World" now. I will get Snow Crash on your recomendation.