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Title: Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code in C, Second Edition
ISBN: 0471117099
Author:
Bruce Schneier
Publicate Date: 1996-10-18
Publish: 1996-10-18
List Price: $60.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $24.84
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $16.50
Amazon Merchant Price: $37.80
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| Customer Review: |
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1: A Classic Cryptography Bible
Applied Cryptography is a classic book on how and why cryptography works. It is written very clearly and explains in detail how various aspects of cryptography work.
Some math-based sections are included, but overall math knowledge is assumed to be minimal. Overall, the book is very consitent in how much it expects the reader to know, few sections are much more advanced than others.
While not up-to-date with the latest algorithms and available computing specifications, it focuses as much as possible on the timeless aspects of cryptography. A recommended read to all aspiring cryptographers.
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2: Dated but indespensible
Sadly, this book is more than a few years old. That said, it is still the finest single volume introduction to data security in the modern age. For clarity of description, for illustration, and for its success at communicating essential concepts and ideas without resorting entirely to mathematics, it is without peer.
Every so often I look on Amazon and hope that I'll find Schneier has penned a third edition, updating this work with the results of the AES selection process and all the other recent developments in this suddenly fast paced field. Alas, I don't think that's going to happen. But I'm not sure that it would really make any difference -- the field now evolves so swiftly that any detailed, thorough volume would be obsolete by the time it reaches the shelves.
So instead of looking for something more recent, pick up Applied Cryptography. Read it and keep it close at hand as a reference (mine is almost falling apart from years of loving use). Nothing presents the fundamentals as well. If you need to know about a new cipher, a new hash, a new encryption mode or protocol, that's what the Internet is for.
But to really understand the underlying ideas, techniques, challenges, risks, and rewards of cryptography, nothing finer exists.
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3: The unique and original applied cryptography book!
This book is extremely complete. It briefly covers the history of cryptography. It describes the political implications of cryptography and finally it shows how cryptography can be used in applications and presents the different cryptographic algorithms.
The algorithm section starts with a number theory primer.Honestly, I have found it a little bit too thin to learn all the needed background to fully understand the algorithms but on the other side, you cannot expect a simple 600 pages book to provide that background in the latest mathematical research number theories. It has at least the merit that it did stimulate my curiosity about number theory when I have read the first edition of this book.
Another point that makes this book interesting is that at the end of each chapter presenting the various algorithms in a given category, you will get Bruce Schneier opinion on which algorithm is the best. Of course, this type of information usually become outdated real fast but it is interesting to follow his thought process and test his predictions as the book grow older.
So, if you are looking for your first cryptography book, it should be this one.
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4: Easy to read, perfect level of detail.
Great Book! The author's style makes this very easy to follow, and he frequently clarifies on topics which are difficult to grasp. Most importantly, he writes from a practical point of view; the material is very grounded and applicable instead of being a math textbook. That being said, he cites over 1600 sources; the book is riddled with leads to sources with more complete coverage for those interested in the fine details. Though I have some programming experience, I don't intend to write any programs; but it is interesting to read the logic in code. It was my goal to learn about modern cryptography and I have achieved that and much more.
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5: Excellent Introduction
This book is now in the thirteenth reprinting of it's second edition with more than a hundred thousand copies sold. It is the definitive book on cryptography from the standpoint of a general overview of what sending secret messages is all about. It is not specifically oriented to the developer, but is more general in nature. There is not enough here for the mathematically inclined to seriously research the background of all the various systems.
As such consider this to be an introductory book on cryptography in general with a bit of history, a bit of story telling, an analysis of various cryptographic protocols and systems. There is source code provided for nine common protocols, and an invitation to order a three disk system that has source code for several more algorithms, functions, systems and additional text on various subjects. This disk set can only be sent to US and Canada addresses because of export rules on cryptographic information.
This is the definitive book on the subject. The only complaint I have is that it could stand to be done over in a third edition that would bring it more up to date.
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