The Code Book: The Evolution of Secrecy from Mary, Queen of Scots to Quantum Cryptography 1st Edition

by Simon Singh (Author)

502 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0385495318

ISBN-10: 0385495315

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Editorial Reviews

Singh, Simon, Code Book, The: The Evolution of Secrecy from Mary, Queen of Scots to Quantum Cryptog

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Doubleday; 1 edition (September 14, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385495315
ISBN-13: 978-0385495318
Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.2 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 502 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #50 in Books > Business & Money > Skills > Secretarial Aids & Training
- #60 in Books > History > Military > Canada
- #107 in Books > Computers & Technology > Security & Encryption > Encryption

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Bibliophile

A fascinating study of the history of cryptography, including Alan Turing's team cracking the German Enigma code during WWII

March 14, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A fascinating explanation of the history of cryptography. It includes the famous Enigma story of how Alan Turing and his brilliant team cracked the German code during WWII and then purposely did NOT avert a German attack on Allied naval ships in order to keep their discovery a secret, so the Germans would not change their code. Chapter 2 contains the story of the Beale treasure worth about $20 million in gold, silver, and jewels, and as yet undiscovered in Bedford County, Virginia. Chapter 5 details how the Allies used the Navajo code talkers to thwart the Japanese during WWII. The brilliant author writes in plain language for the lay reader. The book offers 10 cipher challenges with increasing difficulty. A very good book.

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D. Engel

Best Book I've Ever Read

May 7, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I am only half-way through this book but I find this book absolutely fascinating! Not only can you learn about cryptography but you get some very interesting history lessons. Of course these lessons apply to cryptography, which is one of the fascinating parts of this book. History as we know it, was hugely impacted by cryptography.

This book doesn't read like most text books we find boring and mundane. I read it as if I was reading a fiction novel, which really helps with the comprehension of the topics presented. Ciphers and Codes presented in the book are explained very clearly, I'd almost dare say near perfectly. There are appendices mentioned where you can study items in further detail (in the back of the book).

This book, in my opinion, offers a rock solid foundation for those new to cryptology and can reinforce concepts for those that are well experienced.

I highly recommend this book, if you interested in cryptography, history, or science.

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frogman

The Code Book--Masterpiece of Historical Significance & Present Secure Communications Quandaries.

April 26, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

From describing very descriptive ancient codes to the fascinating world of quantum computing this author touches on it all with very well illustrated examples to help clarify a very difficult and highly complex subject of cryptanalysis--- with its modern employment of linguists, mathematicians, and computer engineers. It's an ongoing quest to keep our PRIVACY from intrusions of all sources such as governments, business competitors, or prying eyes. There are many privacy issues that both governments and private citizens alike must face in today's technological world. These questions are posed and answered in many ways within the book. One caveat---recalling what our esteemed Statesman Benjamin Franklin once expressed---"Any one who will trade freedom for security deserves neither" The quandary is how government protects its citizens from acts of terror or how citizens may be protected by a tyrannical government--read this book

Simon Singh has produced a manuscript that not only gives one a deeper insight into the world of cryptanalysis from a historical prospective but also the men and women involved in this complex field of science through out the ages,----the brilliant people from various and varied walks of life who have contributed immensely to this science past and present . It covers the humanist aspect from those involved with their various idiosyncrasies of behavior from the selling of data to foreign powers as well as personal behavior that could cause one to be blackmailed by enemies. This book is a can of worms in many respects since it opens up to the reader a world fraught with possible invasion of privacy -one of the most fundamental rights we should all hold dear--especially in America--and what avenues we have at our disposal to solve these dilemmas.

The writing style Simon uses to explain the complex theories and problems that code breakers or code makers must use is exemplary and easily understood for the average layman--although he helps to have some advanced understanding of the sciences ---but it is not necessary in comprehending what the author conveys in this book.

I found the Appendix in the rear especially helpful in my study of the very basic science of cryptanalysis as well as his simple examples on how it all pieces together to form the whole picture.

Even though this book was written in 1999--- for those of us who are concerned about CURRENT EVENTS in this science the last chapter offers deeper insights and may be used as a springboard to investigate further developments of cryptanalysis and how we may apply it to our everyday life of sending emails, buying merchandize or researching various subjects. While the wide world of the internet has opened our vast horizons to knowledge and communications within a multitude of domains ---rest assure there is an army of cryptanalyst struggling to keep our messages and correspondence secure daily---or at least we HOPE THERE IS--or we may involve ourselves with political action to ensure our freedom of privacy?

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pauljolly65

You've got to really love codes & ciphers

February 19, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Admirable for the thorough background research involved, Singh's book seems unable to successfully shift between being an engaging narrative for newcomers and a detailed analysis of code theory/practice. (Apparently, Kahn's book is the definitive work on the subject for academicians or die-hard hobbyists.) I found the narrative sections to be rather long-winded, while the explanations of various ciphers & codes often too detailed and pedantic, even repetitive. Some reviewers have called this book "light"; I find that a surprising claim, given the heft of 430+ pages and the abundance of meticulous definitions & examples which permeate the text. Certainly there is something here for fans, especially those of a mathematical persuasion. In fact, there must be more than just "something," as most readers have raved about it. Personally, I found the awkward shifts between historical anecdotes and deep cipher theory ruinous to the flow of the story.

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Most recent customer reviews

Amazon Customer

Fun book for people interested in history and general cryptography

I really enjoy the first half of the book. At times it felt a little slow but overall I thought it was very interesting read.Read more

Published 2 days ago

charles macintosh

One of my favorite books. He writes in a manner that takes ...

One of my favorite books. He writes in a manner that takes the mundane and complicated and makes you, the reader, feel like a savant as you learn about cryptography/ciphers.Read more

Published 1 month ago

Mark Paskowitz

Really informative and a great read!

Just an excellent book. The full story of codes and ciphers, from ancient times right up to the present and looking to the future.Read more

Published 1 month ago

Denissa Pope

Five Stars

Really good book.

Published 1 month ago

Cool! Good narrative + technical details and how-tos

Very cool. Really brings you into the discipline (crypography and codebreaking). Great overview and basically everything you'd expect.

Published 2 months ago

J. Lalor

Good book for non-technical

on time and as described. Good book for non-technical reader

Published 2 months ago

Sanchit Anand

Very informative book and an excellent read

This book packages a great deal of knowledge about cryptography into a short and interesting read. My only issues with the book is the poor coverage of quantum cryptography.

Published 2 months ago

Cami

Good read

Would recommend, Loved it, however, it came with parts like the back folded, I don't know if it was my carrier or not, but most books usually come in a box to protect them and...Read more

Published 2 months ago

DEnroth

Masterful and richly nuanced

This masterful piece starts in the time of Roman generals and carried me on a roller coaster ride through multiple scientific disciplines.Read more

Published 3 months ago

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