Codebreakers: Arne Beurling and the Swedish Crypto Program During World War II [Hardcover]

Bengt Beckman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 26, 2002

One of the greatest accomplishments in the history of cryptography occurred in 1940 when a Swedish mathematician broke the German code used for strategic military communications. This story has all the elements of a classic thriller: a desperate wartime situation; a moody and secretive mathematical genius with a talent for cryptography; and a stunning mathematical feat, mysterious to this day. Arne Beurling, the man who inherited Einstein's office at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, was the figure who played this role at a crucial moment in world history. Though the cracking of the code from the Geheimschreiber (G-Schreiber) device is every bit as impressive as the breaking of the Enigma code by the Poles and English, this secret has been kept for over 50 years! Through the eyes of a former head of Sweden's signal intelligence organization, Bengt Beckman, the reader will learn about the events leading up to the breakthrough and make the acquaintance of not only a remarkable mathematician, but also a remarkable human being. Arne Beurling was a leading international figure who achieved beautiful results in mathematical analysis. By the arrival of World War II, he was one of the most powerful and original mathematicians in the world and widely considered a genius. During his military service, he demonstrated a flair for code and was well known within Swedish cryptology circles. The natural choice of the Swedish intelligence service was to place Beurling at the center of the group charged with breaking the G-Schreiber code. His single-handed effort "broke the unbreakable". Using only teleprinter tapes and cipher text, he deciphered the code that the Germans believed impossible to crack--in two weeks! The feat, in a word, was astonishing. Many wonder how he did it. But Beurling took his secret to the grave, retorting when asked, "A magician does not reveal his secrets." <P>The author, Bengt Beckman, for many years was the head of the cryptanalysis department of the Swedish signal intelligence agency. In writing this book, he made extensive use of its archives. He also interviewed many people who participated in the Swedish wartime intelligence effort. He describes in detail Beurling's attack on the G-Schreiber system as well as attacks on several other wartime crypto systems, noting high points from the history of Swedish cryptology. <P>The book will appeal to a broad audience of readers, from historians and biography buffs to mathematicians to anyone with a passing interest in cryptology and cryptanalysis. This English edition has been translated by Kjell-Ove Widman, Director of Sweden's Mittag-Leffler Insitute. Also on cryptography and available from the AMS is "Cryptography: An Introduction."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Many interesting chapters in this excellent book ... This book provides a valuable contribution to the history of cryptology with much new information and added respect for the cryptanalytical achievements of Sweden's signal intelligence agency. It certainly belongs in your personal library." ---- Cryptologia, V, XXVII

"This is a terrific book that belongs in your personal library." ---- The Cryptogram

From Reviews of the Swedish Edition: "The present volume is an excellent illustration of the best kind of popularization of a complex, technical subject, in this case, Swedish wartime cryptanalysis. Bengt Beckman ... a grey eminence with Sweden's Sigint organization ... has been permitted to twitch the company veil and show what his colleagues got up to during World War II ... the reader is gently introduced to the basic ideas of cryptanalysis before coming face-to-face with the Geheimschreiber ... Merlin the Magician, in the shape of Arne Beurling ... uncover[ed] the structure of the underlying cryptosystem and ... [was able to] identify its vulnerabilities, thus ensuring a steady flow of decrypts ... The resulting intelligence was used in framing Swedish wartime policy in the fields of defense, diplomacy, economic negotiations, and counterespionage ... The abiding presence of Arne Beurling is felt throughout the book. It therefore fittingly closes with a portrait of this brilliant but quirky hero seen throughout the eyes of colleagues, students, and friends." ---- Craig Graham Mckay, Cryptologia

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Swedish

Product Details

• Hardcover: 259 pages
• Publisher: American Mathematical Society (November 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821828894
• ISBN-13: 978-0821828892
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,102,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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