Re: Book on Pre-MATH for cryptography and cryptanalysis.

On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:35:22 -0400, "Mindraker" <anon@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Will Dickson" <wrd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:pan.2007.04.25.17.03.51.274187@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:54:53 +0000, rolof789 wrote:


If my knowledge of mathamatics only extends to High school grade, what
areas of Math would I need to know before I could read and understand
works on cryptography by such authors as F. Bauer, Koblitz ro Applied
Cryptography by B Schneier ?

Have you tried reading Applied Cryptography already? If not, you might be
pleasantly surprised :-) There's mathematics in there, but it's written in
a layman-friendly manner. If you haven't already done so, give it a go and
see whether you get stuck.

HTH

Will.

IMHO, I'd read "The Code Breakers" by David Kahn before reading Applied
Cryptography by Schneier. The Code Breakers covers classical cryptography,
and Applied Cryptography is more modern cryptography.

You will be lost
reading Applied Cryptography without a basic handle on cryptography.

Have to disagree. There is math but Schneier does a great job
breaking it down and staying true. It is *more* than worthwhile
starting here and building your castle on rock rather than sand.

You have to use your head, and it may not be instantly obvious, but
the really good things are like that, right?

Go to
your city or university library and you will probably find Kahn's book.


"The Code Breakers" is, I have to admit, a good book, too. It may
even be better after reading Applied Cryptography since you will be
getting a bigger picture.
.