Codes win wars, conceal state secrets, protect privacy, secure banks and transmit messages. Through forty - five of the world's most influential codes and ciphers, Codes presents a compelling insight into the art and science of cryptography. Structured chronologically Codes uses scientific examples and provides practi cal tools for understanding and using these fascinating codes and ciphers. It features a diverse range of codes , inc luding the Caesar shift cipher , Easter Island's bewildering Rongorongo and the famous Enigma code . Codes also includes features on famous co debreakers of history such as Alan Turing, Jonas Nordby and August Kerckhoff , providing a comprehensive overview to this beguiling secretive world.