Rating: 
Summary: Perfect for security professionals w/out crypto backgrounds
Review: I am a senior engineer for managed network security operations. I administer systems which use cryptographic tools and processes (SSH, IPSec VPNs, etc.) and have seen cryptography hinder my network-based intrusion detection activities. I read this book to gain basic familiarity with the nuts and bolts of cryptography. I wanted a lively text which addressed modern issues, since computer books can be quickly overtaken by technological advances. This book delivers at all levels and belongs on every computer security professional's bookshelf.I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was energetic, clear, well-organized, fully illustrated, and comprehensive. I believe it's THE book to read if you want an introduction to one of the major enablers of modern computing. Furthermore, because the book's goal is to explain the foundations of both secret and public key cryptography, it should stay relevant for many years. "Cryptography Decrypted" does not spare any effort to ensure the reader understands the subject. Concepts are clarified and reinforced through text and diagrams on nearly every page. The authors know many readers are not attracted to mathematics, so they move the "heavy lifting" to an appendix. Even then, for readers willing to apply a little effort, the appendix is understandable and enlightening. At every stage of writing this book, the authors must have remembered to keep the non-cryptographer reader in mind. Kudos to their editors for keeping them on track! The only disappointment was the book's failure to mention the Secure Shell (SSH). Because the authors believed it important to discusses popular implementations of cryptography (IPSec, SSL, PGP), I had hoped that SSH would be included. Most every UNIX sys admin is familiar with SSH, and might have enjoyed learning more about the guts of this indispensable tool. I don't often give 5 star reviews; only 3 of my last 10 merited that rating. I give the highest marks to books which impress, educate, and entertain. "Cryptography Decrypted" delivers. If you have an interest in cryptography, read this book! (Disclaimer: I received my review copy free from the publisher.)
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Book on a Complex Subject
Review: I have been around cryptography for many years and never really understood what was going on under the hood. Other references seem to assume you are a mathematical wizard. This book really covers it in plain english. I think the best part is Apppendix A which really describes the math, in simple terms, of public key encryption. I highly recommend this to folks looking to learn the subject.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing...simply amazing
Review: I have yet to complete a computer book...EVER. I've picked through tons and tons of books, but this is the first computer book I've been able to complete. Why? Because it's SO readable! The authors don't dump terminology on you every other paragraph (ala O'Reilly) but instead try to relate what could have been difficult concepts into simple to understand terms. Bob, Alice, and the evil Black Hat show up in diagrams throughout the book reinforcing what you've learned in each chapter. I'm feeling prepped enough to take on Schneier's Applied Cryptography book, and interested enough in the topic to stick to it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best.
Review: I purchased the text in order to gain some insight into a subject I knew very little about. The book is extremely well organized and the topics are fully explained. There's a mix of history included with the technical explanations that makes this book very enjoyable reading. If your goal is to develop a clear understanding of the foundations of cryptography, look no further.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent explanations, terrible for a reference book
Review: I think my title speaks for itself. While the book is good as an introduction to cryptography, it requires you read complete chapters and depends on this for future chapters. It functions more like a text book and not much use for a reference book. I gave it 4 stars because it does do a good job of explaining cryptography, but a terrible job of referencing subjects in the index. Many items in the book or even in the contents listing are not listed in the index. This makes it very confusing to find particular information.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to understand, fun to read -- a remarkable book!
Review: I'm a publisher of military history (Barclay Ross Press, Inc. of Washington, DC) and I must say that "Cryptography Decrypted" by Mel and Baker is the best introduction to the subject I've ever encountered -- hands down. It's gracefully and wittily written, well-illustrated, and extremely layman-friendly. Amazing to find a book about cryptography and digital security pitfalls/safeguards that's full of both mathematical/technological revelations AND of humor. This book is thoroughly enjoyable, and astonishingly informative, even for those of us with no math/technical background. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: excellent material for beginners
Review: If you are new to cryptography, this is the book for you. Starts from the history of cryptography and covers briefly all the current encryption systems being used. The coverage of MAC is very good in particular.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! Simple explanations for a complex subject
Review: If you have no idea how network security works than this is THE book for you! After reading several RFC's and other books and materials on topics such as IPSec, Diffie-Hellman, Message Digest,etc., and not REALLY understanding how they work, this book made it easy! The examples in the book are very simple- too simple to be used in the real world. But that's fine because once you understand the examples in the book, you can apply the concepts to real world stuff without being completely confused.
Thank you Mel & Baker!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! Simple explanations for a complex subject
Review: If you have no idea how network security works than this is THE book for you! After reading several RFC's and other books and materials on topics such as IPSec, Diffie-Hellman, Message Digest,etc., and not REALLY understanding how they work, this book made it easy! The examples in the book are very simple- too simple to be used in the real world. But that's fine because once you understand the examples in the book, you can apply the concepts to real world stuff without being completely confused.
Thank you Mel & Baker!
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Darn Readable
Review: It explained the basic concepts of cryptography quite well but at times I found the story of "Alice and Bob" to be a bit tedious. Although written for the layperson, the book skims too rapidly over some very basic concepts (S-Box and Confusion for example). Too much of the book was dedicated to hacking-type breaches of security and not enough to cryptanalysis of DES and other systems. Still, overall a good book. The next edition should tighten it up a bit.
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