The Code Book

The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography

By Simon Singh | Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

About the book

In his first book since the bestselling Fermat's Enigma, Simon Singh offers the first sweeping history of encryption, tracing its evolution and revealing the dramatic effects codes have had on wars, nations, and individual lives. From Mary, Queen of Scots, trapped by her own code, to the Navajo Code Talkers who helped the Allies win World War II, to the incredible (and incredibly simple) logisitical breakthrough that made Internet commerce secure, The Code Book tells the story of the most powerful intellectual weapon ever known: secrecy.

Throughout the text are clear technical and mathematical explanations, and portraits of the remarkable personalities who wrote and broke the world's most difficult codes. Accessible, compelling, and remarkably far-reaching, this book will forever alter your view of history and what drives it.  It will also make you wonder how private that e-mail you just sent really is.

Editions of The Code Book

Hardcover
ISBN 9780385495318
Paperback
ISBN 9780385495325
EBook
ISBN 9780307787842
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780593554272
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780593554289

Read an Excerpt

In his first book since the bestselling Fermat's Enigma, Simon Singh offers the first sweeping history of encryption, tracing its evolution and revealing the dramatic effects codes have had on wars, nations, and individual lives. From Mary, Queen of Scots, trapped by her own code, to the Navajo Code Talkers who helped the Allies win World War II, to the incredible (and incredibly simple) logisitical breakthrough that made Internet commerce secure, The Code Book tells the story of the most powerful intellectual weapon ever known: secrecy.

Throughout the text are clear technical and mathematical explanations, and portraits of the remarkable personalities who wrote and broke the world's most difficult codes. Accessible, compelling, and remarkably far-reaching, this book will forever alter your view of history and what drives it.  It will also make you wonder how private that e-mail you just sent really is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Code Book about?

In his first book since the bestselling Fermat's Enigma, Simon Singh offers the first sweeping history of encryption, tracing its evolution and revealing the dramatic effects codes have had on wars, nations, and individual lives. From Mary, Queen of Scots, trapped by her own code, to the Navajo Code Talkers who helped the Allies win World War II, to the incredible (and incredibly simple) logisitical breakthrough that made Internet commerce secure, The Code Book tells the story of the most powerful intellectual weapon ever known: secrecy.

Throughout the text are clear technical and mathematical explanations, and portraits of the remarkable personalities who wrote and broke the world's most difficult codes. Accessible, compelling, and remarkably far-reaching, this book will forever alter your view of history and what drives it.  It will also make you wonder how private that e-mail you just sent really is.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Code Book?

History and Archaeology > History > General and world history

Where can I read a sample of The Code Book?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780385495318

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Code Book?

Simon Singh

Who is the Publisher of the book The Code Book?

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Code Book is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780385495318) and paperback(ISBN 9780385495325) and ebook(ISBN 9780307787842) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593554272) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593554289)

Where can I buy The Code Book online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Code Book from below

Where can I buy The Code Book?