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Review
Listed in SciTech Book News
"Reading Colossus, a book about the world's first fully electronic computer that was built during the Second World War to crack the codes of high-level Nazi communications, is like reading a suspenseful spy story! It is entertaining to read and at the same time one learns a lot about the history of cryptography and code breaking secrets, decryption and related technologies. Historical pictures along with many interesting charts make the book indispensable to anyone who reviews or writes about the history of computer technology."--Human-Computer Interaction International News
Product Description
At last - the secrets of Bletchley Park's powerful codebreaking computers. This is a history of Colossus, the world's first fully-functioning electronic digital computer. Colossus was used during the Second World War at the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, where it played an invaluable role cracking enemy codes. Until very recently, much about the Colossus machine was shrouded in secrecy, largely because the codes that were employed remained in use by the British security services until a short time ago. This book only became possible due to the declassification in the US of wartime documents. With an introductory essay on cryptography and the history of code-breaking by Simon Singh, this book reveals the workings of Colossus and the extraordinary staff at Bletchley Park through personal accounts by those who lived and worked with the computer. Among them is the testimony of Thomas Flowers, who was the architect of Colossus and whose personal account, written shortly before he died, is published here for the first time. Other essays consider the historical importance of this remarkable machine, and its impact on the generations of computing technology that followed.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a volunteer at Bletchley Park and as such give talks and tours on Colossus, Heath Robinson, Tunny etc. This book is simply the best that I have ever read on the subject. It has allowed me to fill in all sorts of blanks and uncertainties.
It has so many reports from peoplem who actually worked at Bletchley Park, that is is undoubtedly a "bible" for those who need it. There are many worked examples on decrypting Tunny, describing the chi, psi and motor wheels.
By the way, if you visit Bletchley Park, also take a look at the National Museum of Computing too.
It has so many reports from peoplem who actually worked at Bletchley Park, that is is undoubtedly a "bible" for those who need it. There are many worked examples on decrypting Tunny, describing the chi, psi and motor wheels.
By the way, if you visit Bletchley Park, also take a look at the National Museum of Computing too.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
After a visit to Bletchley Park I was keen to delve further into the dark world of cryptography. As the title suggests this book concentrates on one of the final pieces of kit which speeded up no end the breaking and reading of German codes. I was with it all for the first two or three chapters but after that it was a struggle - a knowledge of advanced maths is a positive advantage! The following chapters were mainly reminiscencies of senior staff including their particular theoretical or practical problems. There are appendices at the back with detailed tables etc. which provide or enlarge on the technical details mentioned within the body of the book.
This I think is a tome for the more advanced student of this fascinating subject.
This I think is a tome for the more advanced student of this fascinating subject.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having visited Bletchley I thought I'd read some more about the history and found this book a great read. Recommend it if you want to know more about cryptography and how Bletchley played a part. A cracking read .
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Colossus -
As someone with an interest in the mechanics of codes and ciphers, and also an interest in Bletchley, Enigma, Alan Turing, and chandestine/covert WWII subjects like the XX... Read more
Published 9 days ago by stephen brooks
Colossus
Colossus: The secrets of Bletchley Park's code-breaking computers
To begin with, this book produces a sense of deja vu, because it's clear that it shares some historical... Read more
To begin with, this book produces a sense of deja vu, because it's clear that it shares some historical... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Matthew K. Spencer
How to learn more than you may need.
I bought this book as I have an interest in WW2 generally. It is a very good read but I was not expecting to be given all the details on code breaking (technical aspects and in... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Webb
interesting book
This is a really interesting book for an extended project my daughter is working on in the 6th form. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lmpd
Befits the endeavors of BP.
The title says it all. The contributions made by the people who where there, make it a must for anyone slightly interested in Bletchley Park. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Desmond
Colossus
A brilliant and riveting read, how a handful of academics and "geeks" literally won the secret war. We should all be ashamed of the fact that they got scant recognition.
Published 4 months ago by Gogo
Colossus: The secrets of Bletchley Park
A long and comprehensive book about the creation of the first programmable computer, designed and made to crack the four rotor Enigma code. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Welder Bob
Collossal Collossus
Excellent book, although the maths can be difficult. My only complaint is that the author insisted on 'Collossi' for the plural and not the correct 'Collossuses'. Read more
Published 7 months ago by SirArthurSullivan
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