Cracking Codes & Cryptograms For Dummies

If your anything like me, the mere fact that this book exists is mind-blowing. I personally have always found the subject fascinating, although I have only once tried to actually solve a code, and that attempt was met with dismal failure. And so, any code-cracking attempts of mine were postponed. But when I found this book at the library while searching for books on a completely unrelated topic, my old desire to crack codes was instantly rekindled, and my mind was promptly blow open, causing quite the ruckus in the library. Sorry, EPL. But I mean, anyone who decides to write a book on cracking codes deserves a tip of the hat in my book. The "For Dummies" series, I salute you.
Now, this book is impressive. With over 350 codes, it has enough material to keep you going for months. It also has a mercifully brief introduction and history of codes chapter (I tend to force myself to read every word of a book, so the shorter opening allowed me to quickly get to the good stuff. However, if you do want more info on the history of codes, the book suggests another half dozen titles for further reading) and hints and answers for every code in the book at the back. It was another pleasant surprise to find that the section on how to solve the codes is a mere twenty pages. I myself have only read the instructions on how to solve three different codes so far, and have only tried solving four codes in total. These were, of course, ranked as easy, and I found them... well... easy. It was almost boring solving them, as the book gives you instructions on how to solve all the types of codes in the book, and then gives you the code type for every code, and so it was a mere matter of following the instructions. And this gives rise to my only worry so far about the book; that the codes are too easy. Then again, I probably won't be thinking that by the time I try the "treacherous" codes! (I'll follow up on that later with either an update or a note in another review).
So if your into this sort of thing, definitely give this book a try. I think it's pretty cool myself, and I hope you do to. Thanks for reading and until next time,
Mark

(Okay, update. After trying a few "treacherous" codes I can conclude that the "rail fence ciphers" are very doable, but some of the other codes require much more trial and error and so are much more difficult. My one worry has been dispelled. This book is awesome :)