Cryptography, secret writing, is enjoying a scientific renaissance
following the seminal discovery in 1977 of public-key cryptography and
applications in computers and communications. This book gives a broad
overview of public-key cryptography - its essence and advantages,
various public-key cryptosystems, and protocols - as well as a
comprehensive introduction to classical cryptography and cryptoanalysis.
The second edition has been revised and enlarged especially in its
treatment of cryptographic protocols. From a review of the first
edition: "This is a comprehensive review ... there can be no doubt that
this will be accepted as a standard text. At the same time, it is
clearly and entertainingly written ... and can certainly stand alone."
Alex M. Andrew, Kybernetes, March 1992