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Codebreaking: A Practical Guide
If you liked Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code —or want to solve similarly baffling cyphers yourself—this is the book for you!
A thrilling exploration of history’s most vexing codes and ciphers that uses hands-on exercises to teach you the most popular historical encryption schemes and techniques for breaking them.
Solve history’s most hidden secrets alongside expert codebreakers Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh, as they guide you through the world of encrypted texts. With a focus on cracking real-world document encryptions—including some crime-based coded mysteries that remain unsolved—you’ll be introduced to the free computer software that professional cryptographers use, helping you build your skills with state-of-the art tools. You’ll also be inspired by thrilling success stories, like how the first three parts of Kryptos were broken.Ìý
Each chapter introduces you to a specific cryptanalysis technique, and presents factual examples of text encrypted using that scheme—from modern postcards to 19-century newspaper ads, war-time telegrams, notes smuggled into prisons, and even entire books written in code. Along the way, you’ll work on NSA-developed challenges, detect and break a Caesar cipher, crack an encrypted journal from the movie The Prestige, and much more.
You’ll Ìý
Codebreaking is the most up-to-date resource on cryptanalysis published since World War II—essential for modern forensic codebreakers, and designed to help amateurs unlock some of history’s greatest mysteries.
A thrilling exploration of history’s most vexing codes and ciphers that uses hands-on exercises to teach you the most popular historical encryption schemes and techniques for breaking them.
Solve history’s most hidden secrets alongside expert codebreakers Elonka Dunin and Klaus Schmeh, as they guide you through the world of encrypted texts. With a focus on cracking real-world document encryptions—including some crime-based coded mysteries that remain unsolved—you’ll be introduced to the free computer software that professional cryptographers use, helping you build your skills with state-of-the art tools. You’ll also be inspired by thrilling success stories, like how the first three parts of Kryptos were broken.Ìý
Each chapter introduces you to a specific cryptanalysis technique, and presents factual examples of text encrypted using that scheme—from modern postcards to 19-century newspaper ads, war-time telegrams, notes smuggled into prisons, and even entire books written in code. Along the way, you’ll work on NSA-developed challenges, detect and break a Caesar cipher, crack an encrypted journal from the movie The Prestige, and much more.
You’ll Ìý
Codebreaking is the most up-to-date resource on cryptanalysis published since World War II—essential for modern forensic codebreakers, and designed to help amateurs unlock some of history’s greatest mysteries.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
37 people are currently reading
980 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 13, 2021
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April 4, 2023
Let's Get Cracking
If you're looking for a book that combines the thrill of hacking with the intellectual stimulation of mathematics, then this the book for you. This is a book that doesn't shy away from complex topics but is accessible enough for anyone to understand.
Dunin's book provides readers with an eye-opening insight into the world of cryptology and cryptography. She explains how patterns and codes are made and how they can be cracked. The book is filled with interesting examples and historical anecdotes, making it an engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Although it's a substantial book, with lots of technical detail, it's written in an engaging way that makes it an easy and enjoyable read. Dunin is a great author and her passion for the subject matter shines through on every page.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cybersecurity or mathematics. Whether you're a professional in the field or just a curious reader, it is an informative and entertaining read that will leave you wanting more.
It's an excellent resource for those looking to dive deeper into the world of cryptology and cryptography, and Dunin's writing style makes it accessible to all readers.
4.4/5
If you're looking for a book that combines the thrill of hacking with the intellectual stimulation of mathematics, then this the book for you. This is a book that doesn't shy away from complex topics but is accessible enough for anyone to understand.
Dunin's book provides readers with an eye-opening insight into the world of cryptology and cryptography. She explains how patterns and codes are made and how they can be cracked. The book is filled with interesting examples and historical anecdotes, making it an engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Although it's a substantial book, with lots of technical detail, it's written in an engaging way that makes it an easy and enjoyable read. Dunin is a great author and her passion for the subject matter shines through on every page.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cybersecurity or mathematics. Whether you're a professional in the field or just a curious reader, it is an informative and entertaining read that will leave you wanting more.
It's an excellent resource for those looking to dive deeper into the world of cryptology and cryptography, and Dunin's writing style makes it accessible to all readers.
4.4/5
September 29, 2022
To make it clear, I love codes and ciphers. The author has taken a tour of various systems, pointing out strengths and weak points, and suggestions on breaking them. There are sample cryptograms to try to solve. However, what makes the book so interesting is the large number of real-life cryptograms that we see. This includes relatively well-known ones like the Zodiac ciphers (from a serial killer) or the Kryptos problems on sculpture outside the National Security Agency headquarters, and unknown ones that cropped up on a wide-ranging German blog. Some are solved, and some are not.
If the book had been delayed a little longer, it would have presented the Zodiac ciphers differently. In the time between when the authors were finished with it and when it reached the public, the author, along with blogger Klaus Schmeh, solved the second Zodiac cipher.
If the book had been delayed a little longer, it would have presented the Zodiac ciphers differently. In the time between when the authors were finished with it and when it reached the public, the author, along with blogger Klaus Schmeh, solved the second Zodiac cipher.
June 24, 2023
Interesting, fun and challenging.
This book looks like a beast when you pick it up at over 400 pages, but the way the authors have broken it each chapter up into and explanation, how to use a type of encryption, how to break said encryption, success stories, the challenges is very smart!
That strategy makes every chapter feel like 4 mini stories.
Then by the end of the chapter you feel empowered to tackle some other ciphers on your own.
Overall a book that has the power to surprise and delight.
This book looks like a beast when you pick it up at over 400 pages, but the way the authors have broken it each chapter up into and explanation, how to use a type of encryption, how to break said encryption, success stories, the challenges is very smart!
That strategy makes every chapter feel like 4 mini stories.
Then by the end of the chapter you feel empowered to tackle some other ciphers on your own.
Overall a book that has the power to surprise and delight.
February 9, 2021
Enjoyable read! This is a book I plan to go back to and try the challenges when I have a clear head and some quiet time so I can do some of the challenges.
October 13, 2023
Great book
January 9, 2025
DNF but very interesting topic.
January 13, 2025
This was ok, but I was hoping for more historical background about various codes and codebreaking. It was more of a technical, how-to manual.
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