Mysterious Messages: A History of Codes and Ciphers

by Gary L. Blackwood

History?s amazing secrets and codes?and how to crack them yourself. This fascinating look at history?s most mysterious messages is packed with puzzles to decode and ciphers that kids can use themselves. Here are the encrypted notes of Spartan warriors, the brilliant code-crackers of Elizabeth I, secret messages of the American Revolution, spy books of the Civil War, the famous Enigma Machine, and the Navajo code talkers. As computers change the way we communicate, codes today are more intriguing than ever. From invisible ink to the CIA, this exciting trip through history is a hands-on, interactive experience? so get cracking!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Historical, Middle Grade, Childrens, Juvenile

170 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

He grew up in rural Cochranton, Western Pennsylvania, where he attended school in a one room schoolhouse. He graduated with a B.A. in English from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. While a college student, Blackwood published his first short story, Cliffs of Gold, in Twelve/ Fifteen magazine.

He has sold dozens of stories to children's magazines, and has published thirty-five novels and nonfiction books for adults, young adults and middle readers.

Blackwood is also a widely produced playwright.

Reviews

[Amanda Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mysterious Messages: A History of Codes and Ciphers is basically a timeline of different secret coded messages and ciphers, how they've been used, and why they have been and still continue to be so important. In a nutshell, Blackwood starts by giving us "The first known example of cryptography" which is "inscribed on a clay tablet dating from roughly 1500 BCE." and ends the journey by giving us "The Kryptos Cryptogram" which is "A stone, wood, and metal sculpture" that currently sits in front of CIA headquarters. (Btw...1 of the 4 ciphers is still a mystery!)

Blackwood gives us a peek into how codes and ciphers have been used for secret communications among ancient Greeks and Romans; during the Dark Ages; during religious upheavals; During wars such as the Revolutionary War, The Crimean War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, and so on.

Secret messages have been used in literature by authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Sherlock Holmes, Jules Verne in Journey to the Center of the Earth, etc. Blackwood also touches on devices such as the telegraph which were used to send messages more rapidly. Devices like SIGABA, and, more recently, the Colossus Computer were used to decode messages more easily. Overall, this book has a wealth of information on secret codes, messages, and so on.

I gave this book 3 stars, not because it wasn't interesting, but because it was hard for me to follow how to use the coding systems and the descriptions weren't always clear in my mind (it could be because i'm not very mathematically inclined). I did like the charts and pictures and fun little printable graphs for kids to make their own decoders. The most interesting thing, in my mind, about this book is that there are so many examples of how secret codes and messages have been used and how they've been used to alter events in history. I'd hand this book to kids 4th grade and up who love books on this topic or like movies such as The Goonies, National Treasure, etc. I think there is an audience for this book, I just think this book flew under the radar. I'm hoping that our booktalks to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at our local schools will jump-start an interest!

Read-a-likes:
Secret Codes by Helen Jill Fletcher, because it gives the reader codes they can reproduce.

Top Secret: A Handbook of Codes, Ciphers, and Secret Writing by Paul B. Janeczko, because it gives the reader instructions on making codes, has spy stories, and some history.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humans from ages had two intrinsic needs − (a) to correspond and allocate information and (b) to correspond selectively. These two needs gave rise to the art of coding the messages in such a way that only the intended people could have access to the information. Unauthorized people could not dig out any information, even if the scrambled messages fell in their hand. The art and science of screening the messages to initiate confidentiality in information security is recognized as cryptography.

The word ‘cryptography’ was coined by combining two Greek words, ‘Krypto’ meaning hidden and ‘graphene’ meaning writing. One cannot merely believe in the fact that the first cipher device appears to have been employed by the ancient Greeks around 400 bc for secret communications between military commanders. This device, called the scytale, consisted of a tapered baton around which was spirally wrapped a piece of parchment inscribed with the message.

Gary Blackwood in this journal of secret messaging, expansively covers the field from ancient Sparta to the modern-day CIA. The book is extraordinarily handy, with helpful photos, images, and sidebars on almost every page, and it has a pleasing mixture of facts about people, events, and technology.

Blackwood’s convincing point is that in matters of war and national security, cryptography has always played a decisive role. This narrative history of codes and ciphers will be a natural fit for middle- and high-school-age students, who are often considered undecipherable by their parents and teachers.

Readers will be delighted to find that Mysterious Messages is filled with puzzles that they can solve for themselves.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more out of this book. Having read several of Blackwood's fiction series, I thought he would at least make an attempt to make this interesting. Honestly, the topic alone should captivate a reader. The way Blackwood crafts this nonfiction narrative caused me to doze off multiple times. The extensive sidebars with examples of ciphers read like word problems in math class. Hardly anyone likes that. At least I crossed this book off my list.

[Alejo.Tobon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Mysterious Messages due to its historical clear timeline, uses and brief descriptions on codes and ciphers, it’s very interesting! Although I was expecting more mathematical detail in some of the codes, it’s a good book and it also has amazing design with the pictures, images and background of the individual pages.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently, I just only need to read *children's* non-fiction to find the pacing for myself. Ha ha. Seriously, though, I found this book completely fascinating and paced such as to keep me going. (No matter how interesting a topic, non-fiction always takes me a long time to get through, it seems. Much less of that attitude from me with this book. ;) ) The topic is well researched, the sidebar examples are clearly explained (and usable! which, of course, my kids loved), and the author even manages to give us a bit of humor throughout. Definitely a lot of information, so I'd recommend it for older gradeschool-aged kids and up (10+; maybe 8+ if they're bright and very interested in the topic).

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids will likely be more entertained by the earlier parts in the book where you are able to try your own hand at code-breaking. Overall, a fun and informative text that would weave into historical studies very easily.

[Donna Zigmont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I borrowed it from the library to help me learn codes and ciphers better. I'm playing a murder mystery game that involve both. This book was real interesting. It was a great help as well.

[Kennedy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really interesting book if anyone is wondering.

[Lab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and informative book!!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

a reference history book.. the awesome cover motivated me to read it but it gets really dry the further in you read.

[Jaime K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book on a general history of codes and ciphers. There is a LOT of good information .

[rani]

i used to carry this book around in my little crossbody messenger bag and write secret messages to my best friend in invisible ink

[Traci Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is interesting. Also, frustrating as an audio book. I plan to read again with a physical copy.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Lots of interesting details. I liked reading about all the smart historical early message crypt work. The book has crypted messages throughout the book in the style of the topic under discussion for the reader to try out. Quite cool. This was a library book, but I think I need a reference copy of this one for my home library. I like puzzles, so this book made me want to work in this field.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sending secret messages is a interesting topic for most kids. This book provides a great introduction to the topic and provides plenty of opportunities to practice one's deciphering skills. Blackwood starts with Ancient Greece and the first hidden messages. He then goes through a variety of strategies used over the last several thousand years, including the Navajo code talkers. A well written, fascinating study of an always popular topic. For those who have the time, I recommend deciphering the codes from each chapter.

These two books provide an interesting way for teachers to show students that history is anything but boring. It would be fun to see how fast the students could decode some of the messages.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The eye-catching cover and pages of Mysterious Messages make it appear very old though it was just published in 2009. The intended audience is 5th.-8th. grades, but two staff members have read it from cover-to-cover and another used it as a reference with his 8th. grade students when teaching about the Zimmerman Codes in their textbook. It covers the history of ciphers and codes from 3000 B.C. to present day. There are photos of many historical figures and examples of ciphers that students may use to do their own encripting. This appears to be a book that will be popular amongst our students.

[Elizabeth]

I thought this book was very good because of how it was layers out and how there were some pictures so that the people who don't understand it that much can have some idea of what is happening. At first it was a bit confusing on where and why they used the technique of secret messaging and why they used it at these specific places I also loved how descriptive the book was about what is happening it was a lot of fun reading it like for me I like the stories about the Civil war and queen Elizabeth the 1.
In all I thought the author did a magnificent job on writing this great book and I thought it really deserved an applause.

[Upom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is meant for young children, but it's a surprisingly informative and concise history of cryptology and the role its played in Western history. The book goes through its origins and development from ancient times to the modern age, as well as teaching readers how to implement different cryptographic and stenographic techniques, including some early versions of unbreakable codes, such as the Vigenere Tableau and the Cordan Grille. Though perhaps a bit short, its a fast way to learn a lot about the interesting world of codes and cipher.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. Feel a bit silly saying this when it was a book written for kids ... but I found parts of it hard to follow. Not the most mathematical mind, you see.

Anyway. If you've ever wondered about codes and the history of cryptography. Don't have the page number but there was a number that they said took 30 computers 8 weeks to figure out. In 1994. That made me feel old. ;]


I can see why it's not getting the circulation I thought it would when I ordered it. Needs some work to connect it with the right kids who could follow the info.

[RachelAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come on! Who doesn't love this awesome spy stuff? This is a particularly informative and alluring book of codes, ciphers and the history of their use, too. The weathered-looking cover is alluring to young readers, the writing is clear, informative and full of alluring derring-do. The codes included are out-of-the-way enough to be interesting, but not so arcane as to be inscrutable to the target audience between ages 7-14. (and the odd 30-something).
Break out your invisible ink.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything to do with codes and I already knew most of the things he was talking about. You would think I would find it boring to read about something I already knew about. Well you thought wrong! Gary Blackwood does an amazing job of explaining the history of all the codes he talks about. This teaches me way more than I already knew!

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really interesting. It covers the history of codes and ciphers from Ancient Greece, to modern day. The pages resemble notebook pages, with quotes written sideways, sidebars with ways to create your own codes/ciphers, and lots of pictures. It is well researched and really covers a wide and interesting range of material. Great for upper middle to high school readers.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it talked about how people depended on messages to communicate with their enemies or friends that just lived far away... and to make sure that other people wouldn't read the messages they used cryptology, cryptography, cipher disk etc.

[RumBelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide to mysterious messages focused a lot on the items people used to create, and transport their messages. From ropes that spelled out codes when wound around string, to wheels, to pigeons, this book outlined a fascinating array of making, and delivering secret codes.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Here's my blog post about it with a couple links. http://annfinkelstein.blogspot.com/20...

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun non-fiction read. Older child/young adult level reading. It is set up so that the reader can choose different levels of envolvement from casual to indepth learning.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I thought it would be. It is really a history of cypher, not a teaching tool for kids to send messages. It was interesting, but it might not be for a kid.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very interesting, and it gives a good overview of different codes used around the world.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on codes, ancient to modern.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and clear storytelling regarding the history of codes and ciphers. Great practice exercises too!