The Code Book: How to Make It, Break It, Hack It, Crack It

It's known as the science of secrecy: cryptography, the encoding and decoding of private information. And it is history's most fascinating story of intrigue and cunning--from Julius Caesar and his Caesar Cipher to the code used by Mary Queen of Scots and her conspiracy to dethrone Elizabeth I to the use of the Enigma machine for the automatic encryption of messages during World War II. Simon Singh follows the evolution of secret writing with a clarity that lets the reader enjoy the captivating story while easily absorbing the details of cryptography. Accessible, compelling, and timely, this international bestseller, now adapted for young people, is sure to make readers see the past--and the future--in a whole new way.