Encyclopedia of Cryptology

by David E. Newton

Overview

The Encyclopedia of Cryptology addresses the basic theoretical concepts and provides a broad overview of the writing, sending, protection, and decrypting of codes and ciphers. This volume also includes biographical sketches, important events in the history of cryptography, and discussions of the practical applications of codes in everyday life.

Illustrations, bibliographic references, and cross-references, plus two indexes complement the text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780874367720
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/01/1997
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

David E. Newton is the author of more than 400 textbooks, encyclopedias, workbooks, and other educational materials, primarily in the field of science and math.

Editorial Reviews

While there are many books aimed at certain aspects of this topic, none of them do as good a job of presenting a comprehensive yet accessible overview of secret-message writing throughout ancient and modern times.” —School Library Journal

“Exceptional content, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive subject index make this volume an invaluable reference tool. Recommended for most academic and public libraries.” —Library Journal

“The Encyclopedia of Cryptology describes every prominent code and cipher from Egyptian hieroglyphs to data encryption … If you're not sure where to turn for information on the RSA algorithm, knapsack problems, or the Babington plot, this is the book for you.” —C&RL News

“Exploding many of the myths that have developed around the Internet over the past few years, this chronology of its evolution is a fascinating journey that clearly indicates that the Internet can trace its ancestry back to the middle of the last century … all-encompasing, conscise, comprehensive, multifaceted.” —The Daily Telegraph

From the Publisher

Former science and math teacher Newton (Global Warming, LJ 3/15/94) has written a fascinating compendium of cryptology, the science of secret writing. More than 550 alphabetically arranged entries trace the role of cryptology, from its earliest uses in the 4th century B.C.E. to its present-day application in electronic information warfare. Comprehensive in scope, Newton's work examines cryptology's role in military communications, financial transactions, and more scholarly areas such as archaeology, linguistics, literature, and theology. The use of invisible ink, microdots, cryptograms, and modern data-encryption methods are presented, along with an intriguing examination of codes and ciphers that have defied even the greatest minds for centuries. Many of the entries include cross references and suggested further readings. Exceptional content, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive subject index make this volume an invaluable reference tool. Recommended for most academic and public libraries.Joe J. Accardi, Northeastern Illinois Univ. Lib., Chicago

Library Journal

Gr 9 UpA thorough introduction to the history of cryptology that explains the fundamental concepts of this science. Newton provides concise, easy-to-read definitions of terms, topics, and personalities pertinent to the history of encoded messages. Entries are arranged alphabetically and often include cross-references and suggestions for further reading. Black-and-white illustrations, photographs, and charts assist in the comprehension of terms. While there are many books aimed at certain aspects of this topic, none of them do as good a job of presenting a comprehensive yet accessible overview of secret-message writing throughout ancient and modern times.J. B. MacDonald, Milner Library, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

School Library Journal

Aimed at a general audience<-->perhaps high school students and above<-->rather than the sophisticated math and computer specialists who deal with the subject at a detailed level. The history, uses, significance, terminology and acronyms, and important personages and events connected with secret writing are explained in 550 entries, each with cross-references and most with suggestions for further reading. Includes some (b&w) illustrations and an annotated bibliography. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews