The Science of Secrecy
by Simon Singh

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Book Reviews of The Science of Secrecy

Book Review: Simon Singh Pulls It Off
Summary: 4 Stars

The Science of Secrecy book appears to repeat what is said in the Channel 4 television series. The pictures used in the book are the same as the pictures used on the television program. The examples used in the book are the same as the examples used in the television series. As I watched the first episode of the television program on the 5th October 2000 I began to arrive at the conclusion that I had wasted my money on a book that contains effectively the same material as the television program.

However once the program was over and I sat down to work out the puzzle displayed on teletext page 360, the book was invaluable. Being able to review the details of how substitution ciphers work and also have access to a table containing the frequency letters in the English language made the process of decrypting the cipher much more achievable and effectively brought the subject to life for me.

History has never been a subject I am passionate about. However in the context of this book the historical coverage is essential to illustrate the humble roots of the topic. As the story begins to move out of the 16th century Simon Singh describes how forms of encryption that are used today have been developed and operate which is really why I bough the book and started to watch the Channel 4 series.

In summary, if you have a passing interest in the subject and don't intend to try any of the examples or enter the competition associated with the television series then the book is probably not of use to you. If however you intend to try the examples and enter the competition then the book is a very valuable addition to the program.

I await the development of the currently theoretical quantum computers that apparently have the ability to turn the world of encryption and hence our modern lives on their heads.

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