# Picture yourself living a secret life as a codebreaker *A list of 25 must read books covering all things cryptography* By [The Bigger Picture by Yash Bora](https://paragraph.com/@thebiggerpicture_2) · 2023-08-22 --- gm creators! I hope everyone is having a great Monday and has a productive rest of the week 😎 In case you missed my posts from over the weekend, check them out below: * [Friday](https://tbp.tech/steganography): The history of Steganography, the art of concealing messages * [Saturday](https://tbp.tech/cypherpunk-mafia): Cypherpunk Mafia, 21 geniuses who helped shape internet security * [Sunday](https://tbp.tech/before-bitcoin-2): Highlights from reading part 2 of Peter Pan's "Before Bitcoin" series If I had to recommend one of the above, I'd say read Friday's post on Steganography. The examples are really interesting. Doing research for that post helped me realize how important secret communication has been throughout all eras of human history. [ ![](https://paragraph.xyz/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fpapyrus_images%2Fdc0fe1213d4245b53a8796430f00c172.jpg&w=640&q=75) https://tbp.tech Picture yourself shaving your head to deliver a message ------------------------------------------------------- Exploring the history of steganography & some fun examples ](https://tbp.tech/steganography) If you're new to The Bigger Picture, welcome! Subscribe below so you don't miss any future TBP posts 🥂 [Subscribe](https://tbp.tech/subscribe) * * * ### Today at a Glance 👓 Today I'm making a quick post on crypto literature. As I mentioned in my Steganography post, I'm currently reading The Code Book by Simon Singh and have been really enjoying it. With the help of ChatGPT, I made a couple of lists covering different kinds of books related to cryptography. 1. History & early days 2. Technical books 3. Non-Fiction 4. Fiction 5. Biographies 6. Ethical Cryptography 7. Cryptography in Warfare & Espionage I attached the Amazon links to most of the books mentioned below as well :) * * * ### Early Cryptography Writing ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/906d7c8206da7d06b3f0de47caf5e0a2.jpg) Audible.com 1. [_Polygraphia_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygraphia_\(book\)) by Johannes Trithemius (1518) * One of the earliest books on cryptology. It contains 384 different codes. 2. [_Traicté des chiffres_](https://www.amazon.com/Chiffres-Secretes-Manieres-DEscrire-Sciences/dp/2012628443) by Blaise de Vigenère (1586) * Introduced the famous Vigenère cipher, an early method for encrypting text. 3. [_The Gold-Bug_](https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Bug-Edgar-Allan-Classic-Illustrations/dp/B09QP1XV81/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36BRWLWGQ2TII&keywords=THE+GOLD+BUG&qid=1692677802&s=books&sprefix=the+gold+bug%2Cstripbooks%2C121&sr=1-1) by Edgar Allan Poe (1843) * A short story where cryptography plays a pivotal role in the plot 4. [_The Mathematical Theory of Communication_](https://www.amazon.com/Mathematical-Theory-Communication-Claude-Shannon/dp/0252725484/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21I37PF85L2QY&keywords=The+Mathematical+Theory+of+Communication&qid=1692677823&s=books&sprefix=the+mathematical+theory+of+communication%2Cstripbooks%2C150&sr=1-1) by Claude E. Shannon and Warren Weaver (1949) * Shannon's theories laid much of the groundwork for cryptography 5. [_The Codebreakers_](https://www.amazon.com/Codebreakers-Comprehensive-History-Communication-Internet/dp/0684831309/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25HILCDYN3YPQ&keywords=the+codebreakers&qid=1692677844&s=books&sprefix=the+codebreakers%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc): The Comprehensive History of Secret Communication from Ancient Times to the Internet" by David Kahn (1967) * A seminal work detailing the history of cryptography 6. [_Cryptanalysis_](https://www.amazon.com/Cryptanalysis-Study-Ciphers-Their-Solution/dp/0486200973/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3FCII7TBR2CVK&keywords=cryptanalysis&qid=1692677868&s=books&sprefix=cryptanlysis%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-2): A Study of Ciphers and Their Solution" by Helen F. Gaines (1956) * A foundational book in cryptanalysis, illustrating techniques for breaking ciphers * * * ### Fiction Books ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/c72a373adbd5a796f1db3a24a7997adf.jpg) 7. [_Cryptonomicon_](https://www.amazon.com/Cryptonomicon/dp/B086WP1FW6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FZEW2USBQQX1&keywords=cryptonomicon&qid=1692677911&s=books&sprefix=cryptonomicon%2Cstripbooks%2C90&sr=1-1) by Neal Stephenson: A tale weaving together WWII code-breakers with modern cryptographers uncovering a gold cache. 8. [_The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo_](https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-Millennium/dp/0307269752/ref=sr_1_1?crid=162EH9YME629Y&keywords=girl+with+the+dragon+tattoo+hardcover&qid=1692677948&s=audible&sprefix=the+girl+with+the+dra%2Caudible%2C107&sr=1-1) by Stieg Larsson: A gripping modern mystery with cryptographic elements driving the plot. 9. [_Digital Fortress_](https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Fortress-Dan-Brown/dp/0739441671/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TRIVSTJ3FQ7L&keywords=digital+fortress+dan+brown+hardcover&qid=1692677983&s=audible&sprefix=digital+fortress%2Caudible%2C99&sr=1-1-catcorr) by Dan Brown: A thriller revolving around the NSA, a supercomputer, and an unbreakable code. 10. [_Enigma_](https://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Novel-Robert-Harris/dp/0804115486) by Robert Harris: A fictional portrayal of cryptanalysts at Bletchley Park during WWII. * * * ### Non-Fiction ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/bc09e7b2c3141ad1358ec6c67ee3a4fc.jpg) 11. [_Crypto_](https://www.amazon.com/Crypto-Stephen-Levy/dp/0713993464/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VIVESHDWRJHQ&keywords=crypto+stephen+levy&qid=1692678833&s=audible&sprefix=crypto+ste%2Caudible%2C102&sr=1-1-catcorr) by Steven Levy: A chronicle of the rebellious cryptographers who championed privacy in the digital age. 12. [_Between Silk and Cyanide_](https://www.amazon.com/Between-Silk-Cyanide-Codemakers-1941-1945-ebook/dp/B000FBJG7C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GV31M3X1LL1V&keywords=between+silk+and+cyanide&qid=1692678890&s=audible&sprefix=between+silk+and+cyanid%2Caudible%2C115&sr=1-1-catcorr) by Leo Marks: A riveting account of WWII code-making and breaking. 13. [_The Dark Net_](https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Net-Inside-Digital-Underworld/dp/1612195210/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37RUU5MCXB6R8&keywords=the+dark+net+jamie+bartlett&qid=1692678980&s=audible&sprefix=the+dark+net+jamie%2Caudible%2C97&sr=1-1-catcorr) by Jamie Bartlett: An exploration of the dark corners of the internet and the challenges they pose to society and law. 14. [_Data and Goliath_](https://www.amazon.com/Data-Goliath-Battles-Collect-Control/dp/039335217X) by Bruce Schneier: A deep dive into the world of data surveillance and how privacy can be reclaimed. * * * ### Biographies ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/98566aaace56d839b962c7fac771093b.jpg) 15. [_Alan Turing_](https://www.amazon.com/ALAN-TURING-ENIGMA-Incredible-Cracked/dp/1522072128/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1P3GFLTZS4C2N&keywords=alan+turing&qid=1692679167&s=books&sprefix=alan+turing%2Cstripbooks%2C93&sr=1-4)_: The Enigma_ by Andrew Hodges: The biography of Alan Turing, the genius behind breaking the Enigma code. 16. [_The Woman Who Smashed Codes_](https://www.amazon.com/The-Woman-Who-Smashed-Codes-audiobook/dp/B075K3H9G3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QJOJBP9N4LXZ&keywords=the+women+who+smashed&qid=1692679203&s=books&sprefix=the+women+who+smashed+%2Cstripbooks%2C117&sr=1-1) by Jason Fagone: The incredible story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a pioneer in codebreaking. 17. [_Grace Hopper:_](https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Hopper-Admiral-Cyber-Sea/dp/1591149789/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9RX4W7IGX1NU&keywords=grace+hopper+admiral+of+the+cyber+sea&qid=1692679232&s=audible&sprefix=grace+hopper%3A+admiral%2Caudible%2C117&sr=1-1) _Admiral of the Cyber Sea_ by Kathleen Broome Williams: A biography of Grace Hopper, the naval officer and computer pioneer. 18. [_A Mind at Play_](https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Play-Shannon-Invented-Information/dp/147676669X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3091MEZ92F4ZH&keywords=a+mind+at+play+how+claude+shannon+invented+the+information+age&qid=1692679256&s=audible&sprefix=a+mind+at+play%2Caudible%2C102&sr=1-1-catcorr) by Soni and Goodman: A portrayal of Claude Shannon, the father of the information age. * * * ### Cryptography in Warfare & Espionage ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/5123fd46538d7ae4cb51714e32947e39.jpg) 19. [_Battle of Wits_](https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Wits-Complete-Story-Codebreaking/dp/0684859327/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TY0W122S5JG9&keywords=battle+of+wits&qid=1692679419&s=books&sprefix=battle+of+wits%2Cstripbooks%2C136&sr=1-1) by Stephen Budiansky: A detailed account of the codebreaking feats and challenges during WWII. 20. [_The Secret Lives of Codebreakers_](https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Lives-Codebreakers-Cracked-Bletchley/dp/0452298717) by Sinclair McKay: A glimpse into the lives of those who worked at Bletchley Park. 21. [_Operation Mincemeat_](https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Mincemeat-Ben-Macintyre-audiobook/dp/B003KQMFOA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17GKA4T8E84Z4&keywords=operation+mincemeat&qid=1692679513&s=books&sprefix=operation+micemeat%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-1) by Ben Macintyre: A true WWII espionage story where the Allies deceive the Nazis with fake strategic plans * * * ### Ethical Cryptography ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/31d59db81ed3f651095020c350237345.jpg) 23. [_Privacy on the Line_](https://www.amazon.com/Privacy-Line-Politics-Wiretapping-Encryption/dp/0262514001/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KIFGB2LTBOLK&keywords=privacy+on+the+line&qid=1692679607&s=books&sprefix=privacy+on+the+line%2Cstripbooks%2C96&sr=1-1) by Diffie and Landau: An exploration of the politics and ethics of wiretapping and encryption. 24. [_Code: And Other Laws of Cyberspace_](https://www.amazon.com/Code-Other-Laws-Cyberspace-Version/dp/0465039146/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2HDKA3ZH7NGZZ&keywords=code+and+other+laws+of+cyberspace&qid=1692679631&s=books&sprefix=code+and+other+law%2Cstripbooks%2C120&sr=1-1) by Lawrence Lessig: A philosophical look into the laws and ethics of the digital realm. 25. [_The Future of the Internet and How to Stop It_](https://www.amazon.com/Future-Internet-How-Stop/dp/0300124872/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BVX8ZBSFKYSI&keywords=the+future+of+the+internet+and+how+to+stop+it&qid=1692679656&s=books&sprefix=the+future+of+the+internet+and+how+to+stop+it%2Cstripbooks%2C122&sr=1-1) by Jonathan Zittrain: A look into the challenges and future trajectories of the internet. * * * That's all for today's post - if you enjoyed, I'd love for you to share with your friends in crypto :) Remember, all posts are collectible as well! Just connect your wallet and mint away. Also, if you haven't already, please join The Bigger Picture community by hitting the subscribe button below. You can connect your wallet or add your email! [Subscribe](https://tbp.tech/subscribe) --- *Originally published on [The Bigger Picture by Yash Bora](https://paragraph.com/@thebiggerpicture_2/crypto-books)*