Secret History: The Story of Cryptology

摘要: Most available cryptology books primarily focus on either mathematics or history. Breaking this mold, Secret History: The Story of Cryptology gives a thorough yet accessible treatment both the and history cryptology. Requiring minimal mathematical prerequisites, book presents in sufficient detail weaves throughout chapters. In addition to fascinating historical political sides cryptology, authora former Scholar-in-Residence at U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) Center for Cryptologic Historyincludes interesting instances codes ciphers crime, literature, music, art. Following mainly chronological development concepts, focuses classical first part. It covers Greek Viking cryptography, Vigenre cipher, one-time pad, transposition ciphers, Jeffersons cipher wheel, Playfair ADFGX, matrix encryption, World War II systems (including detailed examination Enigma), many other methods introduced before II. second part examines modern author looks work Claude Shannon origin current status NSA, including some its Suite B algorithms such as elliptic curve cryptography Advanced Encryption Standard. He also details controversy that surrounded Data Standard early years public key cryptography. not only provides how-to Diffie-Hellman exchange RSA algorithm, but attacks latter. Additionally, it discusses Elgamal, digital signatures, PGP, stream explores future directions quantum DNA computing. With numerous real-world examples extensive references, skillfully balances aspects with details. readers sound foundation dynamic field.