Cryptanalysis: A Study of Ciphers and Their Solution

by Helen Fouche Gaines

Thorough, systematic introduction to serious cryptography, especially strong in modern forms of cipher solution used by experts. Nihilist, grille, U. S. Army, key-phrase, multiple-alphabet, Gronsfeld, Porta, Beaufort, periodic ciphers, and more. Simple and advanced methods. 166 specimens to solve — with solutions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mathematics, Science, Computer Science, Technology, Technical

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1939

Reviews

[Koen Crolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had the misfortune, I now realise, of having to discuss crypto with someone whose only exposure to the field was this book. It's not that it was a bad book in its day—it's clearly well-researched and intelligently written. It's that it was published in 1939. A decade is a lifetime in cryptography; three quarters of a century is more than an eternity.
Obviously the ciphers Gaines treats as serious not-toys haven't been used outside of newspaper puzzle pages since before Hitler annexed Poland, and the vast majority of the techniques she describes to break them just plain don't apply to modern cryptography. The biggest problem by far, however, is that the jargon she uses resembles modern jargon just enough to frustrate everyone the novice reader of this book will inevitably try to talk to.

If you're interested in cryptanalysis of classical cryptography, read something like Martin Gardner's Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing , or any number of Wikipedia articles. If you're interested in more serious, modern cryptanalysis, read anything else. Please.
Cryptanalysis is an interesting historical curiosity. Let that be all it is.

[Kevin Fitzsimmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in no way shape or form qualified to review this book. That said, I really enjoyed interacting with it. The book is a lot of work though. For most of us this does not qualify as a light beach read. Definitely an introduction to the topic, but worth the effort.

[javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very solid book on cryptanalysis. it's just a little dry the entire time (you must have your own motivation to get through this one) and hard to follow (most of the time).

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic on cryptanalysis from the 1930s. Boring though.