Codebreaker: The History of Codes and Ciphers, from the Ancient Pharaohs to Quantum Cryptography

by Stephen Pincock

From the time of the ancient pharaohs to the modern world of Internet banking, civilization has relied on codes and ciphers to keep its secrets. The 4,000-year history of cryptography has been a kind of arms Each time a more complex encryption has been developed, it has been attacked and, more often than not, decoded; and each time, in response, codemakers have produced tougher and tougher codes. Codebreaker surveys the entire history of codes through an eloquent narrative and an evocative range of illustrations, paying special attention to famous codes that have never been broken, such as the Beale Ciphers, the Voynich manuscript, the Easter Island code, and many more. Many great names in history appear throughout, from Caesar and Mary Queen of Scots, to Samuel Morse and Alan Turing. The narrative is based in part on interviews with cryptology experts, Navaho windtalkers, decryption experts, and law enforcement experts, and ends with a vision of the coded future via quantum cryptography.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Science, Mathematics

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very basic introduction to codes and ciphers, broken and unbroken, hitting all the “famous” ones. I decided to read this since it mentioned the Voynich Manuscript, but it only got two pages and gave me no new insights. Not really helpful for any sort of in-depth look.

[Karlie Nyte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not terrible, but I guess I know enough about codes and the like to need something more in depth about this subject. It's not staying on my shelf.

[Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is formatted so badly that it's actually difficult to read because of it.

[Jbussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These parts of others reviews is what I want to say but am too lazy to do. (Stolen from "Leigh") This book is a basic history of codes and ciphers aimed at young adult readers between 13-20. It is not a guide on how to write cipher, it isn't a code or cipher book, it doesn't teach you how to break code, and it doesn't teach HTML. (Stolen from "Jina") This was a really interesting read. I could see how someone who is familiar with basic history of cryptography would see this book as bit elementary, but for myself, it was a great introduction to it. I enjoyed the examples that Pincock provided to help his readers not only work through a cipher, but better understand how a particular cipher works. He also includes some really fun stories from history involving ciphertext. As the author points out, it’ll be interesting to see how cryptography develops in the future as complex mathematical functions become easier and easier for technology to do. “While there are people with secrets to keep an others who want to expose them, there will always be a demand for that remarkable and shadowy species, the codebreaker.” (& finally Stolen from "Christopher Obert" The text has many accompanying photos and illustrations and at the end of each chapter the author has included examples of codes for you to “break” using the information given in that chapter.

[Jina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read. I could see how someone who is familiar with basic history of cryptography would see this book as bit elementary, but for myself, it was a great introduction to it. I enjoyed the examples that Pincock provided to help his readers not only work through a cipher, but better understand how a particular cipher works. He also includes some really fun stories from history involving ciphertext. As the author points out, it’ll be interesting to see how cryptography develops in the future as complex mathematical functions become easier and easier for technology to do. “While there are people with secrets to keep an others who want to expose them, there will always be a demand for that remarkable and shadowy species, the codebreaker.”

[Kendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could use a fact checker. Information that is publicly available and easy to find is stated incorrectly (i.e., Erwin Schrödinger’s date of death). Overall, the book comes across as half-baked.

[Artur Atson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raamat räägib krüpteerimise ajaloost alustades Caesari nihkest ja lõpetades kvantfüüsika kasutamisega krüpteerimisel. Silmaringi laiendav ja mõnusad lisaülesanded lugejale.

[Britt Suits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eesti 24-täheline tähestik (a->b)
Sbbnbu uvuõvtubd lppejef kb šjgsjuf bkbmvhv bmbuft Õbob-Fhjruvtf ljskbuvoekbuftu lvoj uöobröfõb rsphsbnnffsjkbufoj ojoh boobd räofõb amfõbbuf ofoef amjnbmu tbmbkbtftu kb näjtubuvtmjlvtu lvotujtu.

Tff pmj alt aumfnbub räofõ sbbnbu. Mppnvmjlvmu pmjo nb ufbemjl, fu po pmfnbt fsjofõbje lppef, bhb rpmove lvobhj õbsfn näfmovelj ofoef lbtvubnjtputubsdf rfbmf. Tfmmf sbbnbuv mvhfnjtf kvvsft lvmvt rösjt rbmkv bfhb lbbtb näumfnjtfmf, lvjebt lppef mbiuj nvseb. Fsjuj mbif pmj, fu sbbnbuv märvt tbj pnb ufbenjtj lppejnvsenjtftu lb sblfoebeb.

Raamat tutvustab koodide ja šifrite ajalugu alates Vana-Egiptuse kirjatundjatest kuni tänapäeva programmeerijateni ning annab põneva ülevaate nende ülimalt salajasest ja mõistatuslikust kunstist.

See oli üks ütlemata põnev raamat. Loomulikult olin ma teadlik, et on olemas erinevaid koode, aga polnud kunagi varem mõelnudki nende kasutamisotstarbe peale. Selle raamatu lugemise juures kulus päris palju aega kaasa mõtlemisele, kuidas koode lahti murda. Eriti lahe oli, et raamatu lõpus sai oma teadmisi koodimurdmisest ka rakendada.

[Baseni · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Seit jeher waren Botschaften nicht nur für Absender und Empfänger von Bedeutung, auch „ungebetene“ Mitleser zeigten ihr Interesse. Dem wollte man bereits vor mehreren tausend Jahren vorbeugen, ob es veränderte Hieroglyphen waren oder die, im militärischen Gebrauch verwendeten Skytale. Bei letzteren wurde ein beschreibbarer Streifen spiralförmig um einen Holzstab gewickelt, nach der Beschriftung ergab der abgewickelte Streifen erst nach dem erneuten Aufwickeln auf einem gleich dicken Stab seine Botschaft preis. Caesar entwickelte eine eigene Methode, hierbei wurde das Alphabet aufgeschrieben, in einer 2. Zeile versetzte man es um einen oder mehrere Buchstaben nach rechts, und nahm diese neue Zuordnung dann für den zu schreibenden Text. Dieser Vorgang wird als chiffrieren bezeichnet, kommt es zum Austausch von Wörtern gegen andere, so ist vom Codieren die Rede. Die weitere Entwicklung zeigte ein immer stärkeres Bemühen der Kryptographen, eine sichere Nachricht verfassen zu können. Hilfsmittel wurden erfunden, von Schablonen zur Auflage auf Buchseiten, über die Verschlüsselungsscheibe von Leon Battista Alberti und der ENIGMA der deutschen Wehrmacht, bis zu den noch zu bauende Quantencomputer, alle haben den Nachteil, bis auf letztere natürlich, „geknackt“ worden zu sein. Die Kryptoanalytiker setzen den gleichen Ergeiz in die Entschlüsselung, wie die Kryptographen in die Verschleierung. Erst in der letzten Zeit zeigt sich ein kleiner Vorsprung der Kryptographen ab.
„Geheime Codes“, der Titel nimmt tautologische Züge an, ist eine kurze Einführung in die Welt der Kryptologie, es erhebt sicherlich nicht den Anspruch der Vollständigkeit. Als erster Kontakt mit dieser Thematik ist es gut geeignet, die kleine Auswahl weiterführender Bücher am Ende unterstreicht es noch. Wer sich also einen schnellen Überblick verschaffen möchte, liegt mit diesem Buch nicht falsch."

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is this book?
This book is a basic history of codes and ciphers aimed at young adult readers between 13-20. It is not a guide on how to write cipher, it isn't a code or cipher book, it doesn't teach you how to break code, and it doesn't teach HTML.

And it is actually pretty short so it can't go in-depth on any one specific part of codebreaking.

And the codebreaking talked about is from a historical perspective--aiming to enlighten the reader on how codes and ciphers influenced historical events.

Now I quite liked this book. There were bits I already knew about but it was nice to have it all in a timeline and it added some details that gave me a better idea of the facts I already knew. The book also talks about why codes/ciphers changed over time which was useful in comparison with other code/cipher books I've read that only talk about the different types and not about the history, the evolution of, or the significance of those codes/ciphers.

[Christopher Obert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the history of ciphers and codes. The time line goes from ancient times to modern man and his computers. The text has many accompanying photos and illustrations and at the end of each chapter the author has included examples of codes for you to “break” using the information given in that chapter. I found the book very interesting but to tell you the truth I was surprised that the book was not more exciting to read. I was expecting more drama and adventure because of the subject mater but the book read more like a text book than an adventure book. I guess that is ok since this is a history book but it could have been a little bit more fun.

[Μανώλης Σιμιτσάκης · Rating 4 out of 5]

Το βιβλίο καλύπτει ένα μεγάλο ιστορικό φάσμα στα θέματα της κρυπτογραφίας, με αρκετές και θαυμαστές λεπτομέρειες, και το περιεχόμενό του ενθουσιάζει κάποιον που δεν έχει ασχοληθεί και έρχεται σε πρώτη επαφή με το αντικείμενο.
Δυστυχώς, και σίγουρα δεν είναι ήταν αυτός ο σκοπός του βιβλίου, καλύπτει επιφανειακά τη σημερινή τεχνολογία κρυπτογράφησης (εφαρμογές στην πληροφορική), που είναι από μόνη της ένα τεράστιο θέμα.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read non-fiction very often but I will if the subject is of interest. I have always loved puzzles, especially cryptograms. After seeing "The Imitation Game" I was intrigued and decided to research ciphers. The book isn't a fast read but is broken down so that it can be read in short segments. When each new type of cipher is introduced, an example and usually a little side story is included. I found it fascinating but doubt I will remember the intricacies of each type of cipher.

[RumBelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became really interested in reading more about codes after doing research for a library program. This book was fascinating. I discovered so many historical figures, some I knew, some I did not, were famous for either using or developing different types of codes. In addition languages, like hieroglyphics had code based uses as well. This book took you up to the modern era of cryptography, which was intriguing, how to break codes in the digital age.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introduction to codes and ciphers beginning with the earliest shift ciphers all the way up to modern public key encryption. If you are looking for in-depth history or algorithms, this isn't for you, but if you know very little about the subject, this book is a good place to start. The book also has a fun appendix where you can practice decrypting some simple ciphers.

[Kbord · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting read as well as a primer to beginners' cryptography. It teaches some basic cryptograhpic systems, from Caesar shift to that of the WWII Navajo code talkers, all the way to the theoretical quantum cryptography.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This probably would have been better had I read it three years ago. And with lower expectations. It was sitting on the shelf right next to Simon Singh's The Code Book, which is in my opinion much better to read and learn from.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but but left me wanting more. It is a great introduction but if you are looking for more, grab "Battle of Wits" by Stephen Budiansky

[Sketchycat8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent reference and book. well written and has great examples to practice.

[Skylar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the book, but I really wish it was more detail.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Kama Sutra code, lol.

[Matt Comstock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice-looking book. The pictures and illustrations are beautiful. The text is interesting but the book felt sort of scattered, but overall and nice glossy overview of the topic.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the book was very readable and interesting, though sometimes the descriptions of the codes got to be a little tough to follow (mainly the last two chapters).

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating!

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle, holistic historical look at the subject.

[Leslie Ferrari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting history of codes, ciphers and cryptography.

[Mike Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book to read. However, the material is somewhat shallow.

[Ahmed Samy · Rating 4 out of 5]

friendly