The Story of Magic, Memoirs of an American Cryptologic Pioneer (Cryptography) [Hardcover]

Frank B. Rowlett (Author), Frank B. Rowlett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

Text tells the story of Frank B. Rowlett, a codebreaker whose work was done for years before and during World War II in deepest secrecy. Although dozens of cryptographic systems of both friends and enemy were broken, the greatest triumph was perhaps that of breaking the Japanese PURPLE diplomatic cipher machine, the machine used for transmission of Japan's most secret and sensitive diplomatic messages before and after the entrance of the United States into World War II. Adding greatly to the book is its Foreword and Epilogue, written by David Kahn, author of The Codebreakers. Text includes pictures.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 266 pages
• Publisher: Aegean Park Press; 1 edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894122738
• ISBN-13: 978-0894122736
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,133,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new but in greater detail, October 18, 1999

By 

Harvey M. Solomon ([e-mail]) (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Story of Magic, Memoirs of an American Cryptologic Pioneer (Cryptography) (Hardcover)

This book goes into considerable detail regarding what was done but provides almost no information on how it was accomplished. Rowlett was one of a small group of mathematicians who were introduced to cryptography by the legendary William Friedman. As recounted in the book, the group had remarkable success in breaking both Red and Purple,the Japanese diplomatic codes in use prior to WW II. Rowlett describes how the group was trained under Friedman's direction but supplies no information what so ever regarding the nature of the training. This is the case throughout the book as it relates to how every issue of importance was analyzed. The section of the book which describes the construction of the device to decode Purple is excellent in recreating the intensity of the event. One can almost smell the odor of burning electrial equipment when the contacts on the first version of the device melt and then fuse. Rowlett was obviously acutely aware of the importance of protecting the technical information related to the activities he was engaged in ; however, in doing so he produced a document which although descriptive is not at all informative. It is highly unlikely, because of antiquated security considerations, that the full story of this remarkable accomplishment will ever be presented at a level of granularity it deserves.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating book on World War II secert communications., October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Story of Magic, Memoirs of an American Cryptologic Pioneer (Cryptography) (Hardcover)

This book by a pioneer cryptanalyst gives a fascinating insight into how Army cryptanalysts developed the skills and techniques that lead to the breaking of the high level Japanese Diplomatic code "Purple". It describes how the team lead by Rowlett duplicated the complex Japanese Purple cipher machine from manually broken intercepted messages - a feat that astonished Navy cryptanalysts. It describes how Rowlett developed the concepts for a code machine used by the United States during World War II that was never broken by enemy cryptanalysts. The overall account is exciting. It gives the reader a behind the scene look at the numerous obstacles American cryptanalysts faced both internally and externally - and how they overcame them. It is written by a man who for security reasons remained in the shadows for years but in the world of secret communications stood as a giant. After reading The Story of Magic one should read Hitler's Japanese Confidant by Carl Boyd. The reader can then begin to fully appreciate how reading Japanese diplomatic messages contributed to the United States diplomatic and military successes.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a reader's review, September 27, 2000

By 

Sugar Bear (Star, ID USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Story of Magic, Memoirs of an American Cryptologic Pioneer (Cryptography) (Hardcover)

Frank Rowlett's story is an intense day-by-day account of life as a cryptanalyst in the Signal Intelligence Service during the years leading up to WW II. This story puts together important pieces of the historical puzzle. As a story, it is exciting, and brings history alive.

This book was published as a well bound, hardback, dust jacketed book by Aegean Park Press, a publishing house well known for re-printing (keeping available and alive) important Cryptanalytical, Cryptological, Cryptograhic publications in softcover 8-1/2" x 11" format. Just the way this particular publishing house, who specializes in crypto works is treating this book "screams" the high regard they have for it.

If you're looking for crypto course work, the how-to-do-it, Aegean Park Press has it, (though not in this book). If you are looking for the taste and feel, the heart and soul of real cryptanalysts enjoying their work, that IS the form & substance of this book; as well as being an important historical work.