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Books matching: cryptography

29 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 29 
  1. #1

    Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
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    Neal Stephenson's 'Cryptonomicon' is a multi-linear narrative that weaves together two timelines, spanning from World War II to the late 20th century. The story revolves around cryptography, code-breaking, and digital encryption, with engaging characters who are descendants of earlier cryptographers. The intricate plot gradually intertwines the lives of grandfathers and grandsons, offering a vast conspiracy surrounding currency in the digital world. The writing style is a blend of thriller, historic fiction, and technical literacy, providing a detailed account of cryptography throughout the years.

    Let’s set the existence-of-God issue aside for a later volume, and just stipulate that in some way, self-replicating organisms came into existence on this planet and immediately began trying to get ri...

  2. #2

    Codebreakers by David Kahn
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    'Codebreakers' by David Kahn is a comprehensive historical survey of cryptography and codebreaking, covering secret codes through the ages. It delves into the methods of secret codes and code breaking, providing a fascinating insight into the full history of codes. The author explores the evolution of codes and ciphers, detailing the different codes used over the centuries, from ancient times to modern computer codes. also sheds light on the people involved in codebreaking through the centuries, highlighting their stories and contributions to the field.


  3. #3

    The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason Fagone
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    'The Woman Who Smashed Codes' by Jason Fagone tells the captivating story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman and her husband, William, who were pioneers in the field of codebreaking in the USA. The narrative follows their journey from founding modern codebreaking in the U.S. to their crucial role in capturing smugglers and Nazis during wartime. delves into their groundbreaking work in deciphering complex codes, including the Enigma machine used by the Germans, and sheds light on how their contributions helped establish agencies like the NSA.

    Sixty years after she got her first job in codebreaking, when Elizebeth was an old woman, the National Security Agency sent a female representative to her apartment in Washington, D.C. The NSA woman h...

  4. #4

    Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
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    'Digital Fortress' by Dan Brown is a techno-thriller that follows the story of Susan Fletcher, a head cryptographer at the National Security Agency (NSA). When the NSA's code-breaking machine encounters an unbreakable code that threatens to cripple U.S. intelligence, Susan is called in to solve the mystery. As she delves deeper into the complex web of cryptography, betrayal, and espionage, she races against time to save not only the agency but also her own life. The plot is filled with fast-paced action, remarkable coincidences, and surprising twists that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Despite some unbelievable elements and predictable moments, the book offers an entertaining and suspenseful read that blends technology and mystery.

    Looking up from their canopy bed, she knew he was the one. Forever. As she stared into his deep-green eyes, somewhere in the distance a deafening bell began to ring. It was pulling him away. She reach...

  5. #5

    Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges
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    'Alan Turing: The Enigma' by Andrew Hodges delves into the life and work of Alan Turing, providing a deep and dense analysis of his contributions to mathematics, logic, cryptography, and computer science. The author meticulously explores Turing's revolutionary ideas, his role in breaking the German Enigma ciphers during World War II, and the struggles he faced due to societal attitudes towards homosexuality. Hodges presents a detailed biography that not only sheds light on Turing's intellectual pursuits but also delves into the personal aspects of his life, making it a comprehensive account of a brilliant yet complex individual.

    A son of the British Empire, Alan Turing’s social origins lay just on the borderline between the landed gentry and the commercial classes. As merchants, soldiers and clergymen, his ancestors had been ...

  6. #6

    The Gold Bug - Edgar Allan Poe Tales by Edgar Allan Poe
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    The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story that revolves around a mysterious golden bug with a skull outline on its back, leading to the discovery of buried pirate treasure. The story involves solving cryptograms, exploring themes of adventure, code-cracking, and treasure hunting in an engaging and entertaining manner. The writing style is described as beautifully written, with a focus on mystery, adventure, and the use of substitution ciphers to create an intriguing narrative that captures the reader's attention.

    Many years ago, I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. William Legrand. He was of an ancient Huguenot family, and had once been wealthy; but a series of misfortunes had reduced him to want. To avoid the ...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Edgar Allan Poe Tales )

  7. #7

    PopCo by Scarlett Thomas
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    'PopCo' by Scarlett Thomas is a novel that follows the story of Alice Butler, who works at a toy company designing code-breaking and detective kits. Raised by her grandparents, who were skilled in cryptography, Alice's expertise in code-breaking is put to the test when she attends a corporate retreat that challenges her ethical beliefs. The book delves into themes of math, marketing, and personal history, as Alice grapples with deciphering anonymous coded messages and uncovering a potential treasure map. The narrative toggles between Alice's present-day corporate life and her childhood with her grandparents, creating a blend of mystery and introspection. The writing style incorporates engaging characters, mathematical concepts, and a critical stance on corporate practices.

    Paddington Station feels like it should be shut. Late at night, long after rush-hour, it has an echo and the occasional blast of cold, thin air that smells of diesel. This really is an ideal time to b...

  8. 'Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945' by Leo Marks is a memoir that offers a unique perspective on World War II, focusing on the author's experiences as a cryptographic expert for the Special Operations Executive. Marks delves into the intricacies of creating codes for secret agents, training them, and anxiously awaiting news of their missions in occupied Europe. The book is praised for its gripping narrative that brings to life the suspense of wartime espionage, peppered with personal anecdotes and emotional insights.

    In January 1942 I was escorted to the war by my parents in case I couldn’t find it or met with an accident on the way. In one hand I clutched my railway warrant – the first prize I had ever won; in th...

  9. #9
    Halting State
    Book 1 in the series:Halting State

    Halting State - Halting State by Charles Stross
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    The novel 'Halting State' by Charles Stross is a thrilling near-future story set in an independent Scotland, where a robbery in a virtual cybergame world leads to complex ramifications in the real world. The plot is intricately woven from multiple perspectives, focusing on the intertwining of virtual reality and the real world. The writing style, in the second person singular, presents a unique challenge with unfamiliar slang terms and acronyms, creating a suspenseful and engaging narrative.

    You are sitting, half-asleep, in an armchair. Your eyes are closed, and you feel very unsteady. Your head’s full of a postviral haze, the cotton-wool of slowed reflexes and dulled awareness. In stark ...

  10. #10

    The Confusion - The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson
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    'The Confusion' by Neal Stephenson is the second part of the Baroque Cycle, a series filled with historical fiction, adventure, and intricate storytelling. The book follows the intertwining tales of characters like Jack Shaftoe, Eliza, and Daniel Waterhouse as they navigate through Europe, North Africa, India, and beyond. The plot involves elements of derring-do, swashbuckling piracy, financial intrigues, and political maneuvering, all set against the backdrop of the late seventeenth century. Stephenson's writing style blends history with adventure, science with philosophy, and politics with religion, creating a dense and complex narrative that keeps readers engaged and intrigued.

    I am speaking these words to a Presbyterian scrivener who followed our regiments down from our points of disembarkation around Belfast, and has hung out his shingle on a hut near Dundalk camp. From th...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Baroque Cycle )

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