The Bottom Line
If you want an overview of the current state and future of cryptography this book may be for you. If you are looking for algorithms and detail needed to develop cryptography this book won't do it.
Pros
- Cryptography from two respected experts
- Good introduction to cryptography concepts
- Provides direction for future of cryptography
Cons
- Not enough to teach cryptography development
- May be too technical for a general audience
Description
- Follow up to the best-selling Applied Cryptography from two of the most respected experts.
- Introduction to cryptography provides good overview for those new to the subject.
- Authors point out that cryptography is not a "Holy Grail" - security is a complete system.
- Fairly easy to read, but sometimes crosses the line to too techie.
- Not enough math or nuts & bolts details to help someone actually develop cryptography.
Guide Review - Book Review: Practical Cryptography
I liked this book. That said, it seemed like a book without an audience at times. Some may look to this book as a source for developing cryptography- don't. This is more a book of theory and opinion- but a good one at that. At times, because they do put some math and pseudocode, it may get a little techie for the general audience. However, that is the audience I think it is suited for. It provides a good introduction to cryptography and walks the reader through various types of cryptography and how they are flawed. It gives some direction for where the future of cryptography should go, but also stresses that even perfect cryptography is useless is a broken security system. You can't take one part of security out of context and be secure.
