The Codebreakers

By David Kahn,

Book cover of The Codebreakers: The Story Of Secret Writing

Book description

Codebreaking is the most important form of secret intelligence in the world. It produces much more and more trustworthy information than spies, and this intelligence exerts great influences upon the policies of governments.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Codebreakers as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

David was a pioneer. Before Codebreakers there was next to nothing in print about codebreaking. Focused on World War II, he introduced a generation of readers to a secret realm, inviting us to look behind the big green door for the first time. This generous and loyal friend alerted me to the need for comprehensive overview of American intelligence in World War II.

Superb. Kahn’s book, written almost fifty years ago, is rightly considered the classic work on the history of cryptography. It’s enormous, some 1200 pages, but it draws the reader in with its richly detailed portraits of code-makers and code-breakers from ancient times to the modern era. Kahn’s analysis of American cryptographic operations during WWII is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the intelligence failures that preceded Pearl Harbor. The 1996 updated edition is still in print.

Want books like The Codebreakers?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Codebreakers.

Browse books like The Codebreakers

Book cover of Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
Book cover of Battle of Wits: The Complete Story of Codebreaking in World War II
Book cover of Joe Rochefort's War: The Odyssey of the Codebreaker Who Outwitted Yamamoto at Midway

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in cryptography, cryptanalysis, and presidential biography?

Cryptography 31 books
Cryptanalysis 10 books