Super interesting detail and kind wild and questionable that an authors work would be substantially changed by an editor.
And authors gaining editorial control is why so many books later in a popular author's career are worse and worse - no one able to trim them.
As examples I'll pick Neal Stephenson and J.K. Rowling. Even the fans have to notice how their work has gotten bigger and sloppier.
Years later a new print included both endings and staged an essay contest to decide which is the "right" ending.
But I think that has to do with the clear change in his writing style, which has diverged from my personal tastes. So it's not a judgement call on his writing either way -- we've just grown apart.
I wouldn't call those "later writings," he's written quite a few excellent (and better) books since. Anathem, Seveneves, and Fall; or, Dodge in Hell were excellent. Termination Shock was a quick read.
I've since gone back and re-read Cryptonomicon. I don't know know if I'll redo the whole Baroque cycle, (Because it was so long,) but I do have fond memories. I suspect it's the kind of book that's better the 2nd time through.
BTW, Fall; or, Dodge in Hell ends the Baroque Cycle. Enoch Root is in that book and we figure out what he really is.
I think the Baroque Cycle was an outlier. It was long, and boring, and plodded.
Early works were good, later works were good. There wasn't a phase change and later works went downhill starting with Baroque.
Not everyone can bat a thousand.