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Title: A brief history of secrets...
Review: An excellent introduction to the world of cryptography. It shows not only the methods cryptography but also the reasons why they were so important. Singh brings out the hidden history of cryptographers and the politics that have surrounded them. The first chapter with Mary, Queen of Scots demonstrates the power of cryptography to save or take lives. The book demonstrates the power of secrets and how cyphers have kept secrets beyond the lifetime of the cryptographers.The book is an easy to read history of cryptography from monoalphabetic cyphers to modern cyphers like PGP. It's an written in a style that accessible to people with little to background in cryptography. _The Code Book_ is an excellent tribute to the men and women who have contributed to the art of cryptography over the centuries, and the genius it has taken to make and break their cyphers.
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