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The Code Book

The Secret History of Codes and Code-Breaking
By Simon Singh
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Code Book by Simon Singh traces the fascinating history of cryptography, from ancient Egyptian puzzles to the latest developments in quantum cryptography. It reveals the enduring human fascination with codes, secrets and the struggle to conceal and uncover messages. Key historical moments like the betrayal of Mary Queen of Scots and the breaking of the Enigma code during World War II illustrate the significant impact of codes in shaping world events. The book also explores genetic codes, ancient languages and mysterious unsolved ciphers such as the Beale ciphers.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This engaging work is ideal for readers interested in science, history and puzzles. It suits those curious about how codes have influenced history and enjoy stories of intrigue and intelligence. Fans of mathematical and scientific popularisation will also appreciate Singh's accessible and vivid storytelling.

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The Code Book is a history of man's urge to uncover the secrets of codes, from Egyptian puzzles to modern day computer encryptions.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography

From the best-selling author of Fermat's Last Theorem, The Code Book is a history of man's urge to uncover the secrets of codes, from Egyptian puzzles to modern day computer encryptions.

As in Fermat's Last Theorem, Simon Singh brings life to an astonishing story of puzzles, codes, languages and riddles that reveals man's continual pursuit to disguise and uncover, and to work out the secret languages of others.

Codes have influenced events throughout history, both in the stories of those who make them and those who break them. The betrayal of Mary Queen of Scots and the cracking of the Enigma code that helped the Allies in World War II are major episodes in a continuing history of cryptography.

In addition to stories of intrigue and warfare, Simon Singh also investigates other codes, the unravelling of genes, the rediscovery of ancient languages, and most tantalisingly, the Beale ciphers, an unbroken code that could hold the key to a USD 20 million treasure.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781857028898

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 July 2000

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: 4th Estate

Illustration: (90 integrated)

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 416

Collections

Education & Reference Non-Fiction Science & Nature Simon Singh

About the Author

Simon Singh is a science journalist and TV producer. Having completed his PhD at Cambridge he worked from 1991 to 1997 at the BBC producing Tomorrow’s World and co-directing the BAFTA award-winning documentary Fermat’s Last Theorem for the Horizon series. In 1997, he published Fermat’s Last Theorem, which was a no 1 best-seller in Britain and translated into 22 languages. In 1999, he published The Code Book which was also an international bestseller and was the basis for the Channel 4 series The Science of Secrecy.

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