Read a few works of literature in which cryptography plays a role and critique the cryptographic aspects of the work. [Poe, 1966,Follett, 1980], works of Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes). A whole report could be centered on Poe and cryptography as he had a lifelong fascination with the subject. Ken Follett's novel The Key to Rebecca contains excellent descriptions of a type of one-time-pad cryptosystem and its use by a Nazi spy in Egypt.
Some recent excellent novels: [Harris, 1995,Stephenson, 1999]. The Harris novel Enigma can be discussed in the context of historical information about the Enigma project. Cryptonomicon raises interesting topics such as digital cash, discerning the difference between random and nonrandom events, the Solitaire encryption system devised by Bruce Schneier, electronic surveillance techniques such as ``phreaking,'' etc.
Relate the ideas in the story to cryptologic principles discussed in our class.
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