An Introduction to Cryptography (Discrete Mathematical & Applications) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Every area of study has its own language, which includes specific terms that facilitate an understanding of the objects being investigated..." (more)
Key Phrases: special number field sieve, true primality tests, deciphering stage, Stream Cipher, Block Cipher, Division Algorithm (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

I want to congratulate you on your superb volume in 'An Introduction to Cryptography.' This is a fine addition to the field. Upon my recommendation, my personal firm has purchased several copies, it's so great. ... Your explanation in the section of 'Coin Flipping via Exponentiation' was brilliantly orchestrated.
- Owen Henry Cupp, Southern Sovereign Institute, Georgia, USA

In this very nice book, the author introduces at an undergraduate level the following topics: Origins, computer arithmetic, and complexity…This book pay a lot of attention to the history of this research field, which makes the reading very enjoyable…
Zentralblatt fur Mathematik

This is a great book! It can be used in many ways: for a university course at one extreme, and as selective light reading for pleasure at the other. The author's enthusiasm carries the reader along clearly and easily, spilling over to scores of fascinating, beautifully written footnotes, which include more than fifty mini-biographies. …excellent and highly recommended.
- Short Book Reviews, Vol. 21, No. 2, August, 2001

…Mollin has written a readable text on a subject that can be challenging. It deserves your attention.
- The Cryptogram

Product Description

INTRODUCTION FOR THE UNINITIATEDHeretofore, there has been no suitable introductory book that provides a solid mathematical treatment of cryptography for students with little or no background in number theory. By presenting the necessary mathematics as needed, An Introduction to Cryptography superbly fills that void. Although it is intended for the undergraduate student needing an introduction to the subject of cryptography, it contains enough optional, advanced material to challenge even the most informed reader, and provides the basis for a second course on the subject. Beginning with an overview of the history of cryptography, the material covers the basics of computer arithmetic and explores complexity issues. The author then presents three comprehensive chapters on symmetric-key cryptosystems, public-key cryptosystems, and primality testing. There is an optional chapter on four factoring methods: Pollard's p-1 method, the continued fraction algorithm, the quadratic sieve, and the number field sieve. Another optional chapter contains detailed development of elliptic curve cryptosystems, zero-knowledge, and quantum cryptography. He illustrates all methods with worked examples and includes a full, but uncluttered description of the numerous cryptographic applications.SUSTAINS INTEREST WITH ENGAGING MATERIALThroughout the book, the author gives a human face to cryptography by including more than 50 biographies of the individuals who helped develop cryptographic concepts. He includes a number of illustrative and motivating examples, as well as optional topics that go beyond the basics presented in the core data. With an extensive index and a list of symbols for easy reference, An Introduction to Cryptography is the essential fundamental text on cryptography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Chapman & Hall/CRC; 1 edition (August 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584881275
• ISBN-13: 978-1584881278
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,909,841 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enjoy and learn, March 7, 2003

By A Customer

Readers should not be turned away from this book due to the rigorous mathematical content. If one learns the mathematical background (well developed in the text), then understanding of the cryptographic material becomes easier. Readers who only want "plain English' instead of mathematics betray their aversion to mathematics and point to the problem today with trying to teach cryptography. It cannot be effectively done without a rigorous mathematical background. This book does that and much more. Check out the biographical data in the text as well numerous other features.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is very excellent book!!! I love this book., April 15, 2003

By	Yuan J. Son (sunnyvale, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you really want to learn cryptology, this is the book.
If you just want to know the superficial concept of it, then,
this is not the book for you.
Mathematics used in this book is very concise and clear.
This book also has the complete answers for many exercise
problems (not just short answer). The answers for exercise
problems are well written with the full explanations. Well done!! I really enjoy reading this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars daunting, April 23, 2003

By	Harry Pandolfino (York, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a textbook designed for a one semester undergraduate course in cryptography. This makes it seem a little tamer than what it is. Crypto buffs will enjoy it, and there is little here than is not in some other advanced texts. What is of value is a section on RIJNDAEL, the new advanced encryption standard.
Useful as a starting point but not as easy to follow as some other texts. You better like this stuff already or you shouldn't dive into this book.