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Managers Guides to Computing Search Managers Guides to Computing Managers Guides to ComputingThe Code Book: The Secret History of Codes and Code-breaking
Fourth Estate Ltd Search Fourth Estate Ltd by Simon Singh Search Simon Singh
Amazon.co.uk Review
With their inextricable links to history, mystery and war, codes and ciphers offer a rich seam of material for any author. The relative dearth of non-technical books on the subject may be a reflection of its technical foundations, which compel hard decisions about what to include and what to gloss over. Few are better qualified to take on the challenge than Simon Singh, the particle physicist turned science writer whose book Fermat's Last Theorem, recounting the dauntingly complex story behind the proof of this mathematical conjecture, deservedly became a No. 1 bestseller.
The Code Book contains many fascinating accounts of code-breaking in action, from its use in unmasking the Man in the Iron Mask and the defeat of the Nazis to the breaking of a modern cipher system by a world-wide army of amateurs in 1994. It is especially good on the most recent developments, such as quantum cryptology and the thorny civil liberties issues raised by the advent of very secure cipher systems over the Internet. But Singh's mathematical prowess sometimes gets the better of his journalistic instincts, leading to technical descriptions that unnecessarily disrupt the narrative flow. So buy it--and have a shot at the 10,000 pound mystery cipher--but be prepared to skip. --Robert Matthews
Customer Reviews:
Very good
Iam doing a degree in Digital Forensics and as such encryption is a huge part. this book has been a great help, intersting to read and educational, not for the hardcore code breaker but a brilliant introduction to it, keeps the content intersting with stories of where it as been used.
I will buy all Simon Singh Books
Given the complexity of the subject I was afraid this book will turn to either a listing for historic events or to a book full of mathematical twists that will scare all but the toughest minds out there, to my astonishment the book was written in unbelievably good combination of story telling, live demonstrations and some little math. The language is simple yet comprehensive. If you are an ordinary man/woman with some passion of math, coding, military history, science fiction (or a combination of those) then this book is a true delight
Very comprehensive view 
This is a very comprehensive book regarding the subject and is portrayed from a variety of perspectives. A lot of good information is covered, in detail, throughout these pages. Anyone with an interesting in codes and code breaking should pick this up/
Great Book !
This gives you everything you want from a book about codes, the history of them, some insight into how you would write and translate a code for yourself, with some author written codes at the end.
I would also recommend Simon Singh's other book "Fermat's Last Theorem"
A superb read
Excellent history of codes and code-breaking. An engrossing and enjoyable journey through history regarding the use of codes. Very readable and of interest to readers with a scientific/mathematics background and also those with none. The reader is not required to have an academic background. Simon Singh's writing style is infectious and ideally suited to this subject - in the style of 'Fermat's Last Theorem'. Thoroughly recommended.
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