Unemployment Insurance in the United States: The First Half Century

Book Description

A ruling party decides each of two periods on the level of public goods which it finances by means of taxation and internal debt. The debt has to be honoured by the government of the second period. Between the two periods elections take place, which may change the ruling party.
The book analyzes the fiscal decision of the first government which aims to maximize the long run utility of its representative voter. Conditions under which the government uses debt strategically in order to stay in power are identified. It is also shown how the fiscal decisions hinge on the populations' political structure and its beliefs about the future government.

Computational Methods for the Study of Dynamic Economies
Average customer rating:

not well-written

I agree

A complete survey of how to solve dynamic economies

Computational Methods for the Study of Dynamic Economies

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Artificial Intelligence | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Numerical Methods in Economics

Dynamic General Equilibrium Modelling: Computational Methods and Applications

Applied Computational Economics and Finance

Dynamic Economics: Quantitative Methods and Applications

Frontiers of Business Cycle Research

ASIN: 0199248273

Book Description

Macroeconomics increasingly uses stochastic dynamic general equilibrium models to understand theoretical and policy issues. Unless very strong assumptions are made, understanding the properties of particular models requires solving the model using a computer. This volume brings together leading contributors in the field who explain in detail how to implement the computational techniques needed to solve dynamic economics models. A broad spread of techniques are covered, and their application in a wide range of subjects discussed. The book provides the basics of a toolkit which researchers and graduate students can use to solve and analyse their own theoretical models.

Customer Reviews:

not well-written.......2002-01-12

I need to do some parameterized expectation work. I read Chapter 7. It is not well-written. The authors first introduce the general framework, and then introduce a series of examples. People would be stuck at the general framework part. They don't know WHY do we do that.

A better way to introduce this method would be to use one or two completely worked out examples, paying particular attention to explain the ideas behind doing what we are doing. This way people will know the ideas behind the method, even though not necessarily the general framework (who need to know the general framework anyway?) Then introduce the general framework, and more examples.

I agree.......2000-09-22

with the reviewer from Chile. This is a very good book covering a fairly wide range of material at a level that is surprisingly accessible. It is well edited, and makes solid use of the internet to provide programs for buyers to download and try for themselves. Highly recommended.

A complete survey of how to solve dynamic economies.......2000-09-13

This book has the merit of collecting many major recent contributions from authors that continuosly make serious research in numerical and computational methods of solving the now basic problems we face in macroeconomics principally (but that serves in other areas in economics too), that put them in a simple theoretic and practical way for the economist. It perfectly serves as an introductory book for graduate studies in this area and as an complete reference book for further research.

Computational Methods for the Study of Dynamic Economies

Average customer rating:

Computational Methods for the Study of Dynamic Economies
Andrew Scott Ramon Marimon
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKRI38

Average customer rating:

Computational Methods for the Study of Dynamic Economies
Ramon Marimon
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press(UK)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OL5PT6

Helpful Hints for Housewives
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Helpful Hints for Housewives
Benjamin Darling
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0811800067

Helpful Hints for Housewives
Average customer rating:
Helpful Hints for Housewives

Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H2MQ1M

Helpful Hints for Housewives! a Treasury of Tips for the Model Homemaker
Average customer rating:
Helpful Hints for Housewives! a Treasury of Tips for the Model Homemaker
Benjamin Darling
Manufacturer: Macmillan, Australia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0732907640

Helpful Hints to Housewives: Cookery Means the Knowledge of Media and of Circe and of Helen and of the Queen of Sheba. It Means the Knowledge of All Herbs and Fruits and Balms and Spices, and All That is Healing and Sweet in the Fields and Groves...
Average customer rating:
Helpful Hints to Housewives: Cookery Means the Knowledge of Media and of Circe and of Helen and of the Queen of Sheba. It Means the Knowledge of All Herbs and Fruits and Balms and Spices, and All That is Healing and Sweet in the Fields and Groves...
Juliette; Magnin, Evelyn; May, Anita; Stern, Mattie; Stodel, Berdie; Wolff, Helen; Wolfstein, Florine Frank
Manufacturer: Vermont-Wilshire Printing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J9YKXK

Helpful Hints for Housewives
Average customer rating:
Helpful Hints for Housewives

Manufacturer: Publishers Press Room and Bindery
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GWR3CK

Average customer rating:
Helpful hints for housewives
Mary Lewis Haines
Manufacturer: John H. Lewis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008BP222

Advanced Fingerstyle Guitar
Average customer rating:

Almost an excellent book

I would have given it 10 stars

Advanced Fingerstyle Guitar

Manufacturer: Centerstream Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guitar | Instruments & Performers | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Fingerstyle Guitar

The Art of Solo Fingerpicking : How to Play Alternating-Bass Fingerstyle Guitar Solos (book and CD) (Guitar Books)

The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking: How to Play the Alternating Bass Fingerpicking Style (Bk & CD)

Fingerpicking Fiddle Tunes: Arranged for Fingerstyle Guitar

The Very Best of Fingerstyle Guitar: 25 Songs Arranged for Solo Guitar in Standard Notation and Tablature

ASIN: 1574241249

Book Description

This follow-up to the popular Fingerstyle Guitar book by Ken Perlman (00000081) is really two books in one. To the advanced player, it's an excellent tune book featuring 33 interesting and highly playable guitar arrangements. To the intermediate player, it serves as a clear and detailed guide to the technical expertise and theoretical knowledge required to bridge the gap to the advanced level. Covers Baroque tuning, DAD-GAD tuning and much more. The tunes are organized according to genre: Alternating Bass Pieces, The Country Blues, Melodic Guitar, Fiddle Tunes, Ragtime and Chord-Melody, and all tunes are played on the accompanying CD.

Customer Reviews:

Almost an excellent book .......2005-12-16

An excellent book from many standpoints. The theory is well explained, the techniques generally keep pace with the music. However, the tablature transcripts of some songs have some errors, ranging from minor, to major -- as with Bullfrogs on Your Mind. This is frustrating and a real time waster.

I would have given it 10 stars.......2005-04-03

I am a very lazy person so for me to write a review is saying a lot about a book. I would not be writing this unless I did not think that this book was great. "Advanced Fingerstyle Guitar" is a book for the ages...it has everything that a fingerstyle guitarist could want. This book is not for the total beginner. If you are an intermediate player this book should be challenging but not too bad because there are about 30 pages of review from the first "Fingerstyle Guitar." In short, if you want to learn how to play fingerstyle guitar and take your guitar playing up 10 levels, look no further than this book.

The Guitar of Peter Finger (Advanced Fingerstyle Compositions)

Average customer rating:

The Guitar of Peter Finger (Advanced Fingerstyle Compositions)

Manufacturer: mel bay
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Average customer rating:

Albert Lee Advanced Country Guitar

Manufacturer: Manhattan Music
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

Advanced Country Guitar offers complete note-for-note transcriptions of the solos, jams, and exercises on the Albert Lee Advanced Country Guitar Video. In addition to covering techniques such as hybrid Travis picking, creating lines off of chord shapes, double-stop concepts and runs, Albert plays some of his favourite tunes with his band, including the showstoppers Fun Ranch Boogie and Tiger Rag in the Play-Along CD.

Fingerpicking guitar solos for the advanced guitarist (Art of fingerstyle guitar)

Average customer rating:

Fingerpicking guitar solos for the advanced guitarist (Art of fingerstyle guitar)
Stefan Grossman
Manufacturer: Mel Bay Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

1888. Other volumes in this set include ISBN number(s): 0766158489. Volume 2 of 2. Chiefly illustrating the origin of our vulgar customs, ceremonies and superstitions. Found in these volume are the origin of such things as holidays, marriage customs and ceremonies, customs at death, drinking customs, sports and games, omens, charms, divination, vulgar errors and many other activities which are a part of our everyday life.

Book Description

How to be a Footballer's Wife covers every important lifestyle choice you need to make and is the complete guide to getting (and staying) at the top of your game. Footballer's Wife Tania Turner talks exclusively about the right designer looks, what shape your pool should be, the pros and cons of hosting your own celeb charity function, plus how to spin negative press, pretending to have a career, accessorising with baby and what to do if your man starts playing away from home.

Book Description

MySQL is a popular and robust open source database product that supports key subsets of SQL on both Linux and Unix systems. MySQL is free for nonprofit use and costs a small amount for commercial use. Unlike commercial databases, MySQL is affordable and easy to use. This book includes introductions to SQL and to relational database theory. If you plan to use MySQL to build web sites or other Linux or Unix applications, this book teaches you to do that, and it will remain useful as a reference once you understand the basics. Ample tutorial material and examples are included throughout.

This book has all you need to take full advantage of this powerful database management system. It takes you through the whole process from installation and configuration to programming interfaces and database administration. This second edition has a greatly enhanced administration chapter that includes information on administrative tools, server configuration, server startup and shutdown, log file management, database backup and restore, and database administration and repair. In addition, a new chapter on security describes data, server, and client-server security, while a chapter on extending MySQL provides an overview of MySQL internals and describes the use of MySQL user-defined functions.

If you know C/C++, Java, Perl, PHP, or Python, you can write programs to interact with your MySQL database. In addition, you can embed queries and updates directly in an HTML file so that a web page becomes its own interface to the database. Managing and Using MySQL includes chapters on the programming language interfaces, and it also includes a complete reference section with specific function calls for each language.

Also included in the reference section are references to the SQL language, and details of the MySQL system variables, programs, and utilities. New to the second edition is a reference to the internal MySQL tables, which will be of particular interest to those who want to work extensively with MySQL security.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent guide and reference.......2007-01-16

This book covers MySQL at a good level of both depth and breadth. It weaves in a great combination of the history and philosophy behind design choices the MySQL development community made, and provides many examples of how to use MySQL in different languages.

Lack of In-Depth Information.......2004-06-28

I generally love the O'Reilly books because they tend to be very thorough and have lots of practical code examples, but this book was a big disappointment to me. I was easily frustrated by this book. As a beginner to MySQL and database programming, I was completely lost whenever I tried to apply something to my own projects. The explanations given here are very brief and the authors often send you elsewhere for more in-depth discussion. I wound up doing most of my research online and just using the SQL reference chapter to look-up query syntax. I give it two stars because it did help me get started, but I'd say this is a poor reference for anyone looking for in-depth coverage.

Good Introduction to MySQL - But Only an Introduction.......2003-11-06

This book is clearly and succinctly written, and provides an excellent introduction to MySQL. It starts with a few pages on the history and philosophy behind MySQL, which is useful if you want to understand the advantages and disadvantages of MySQL relative to other options such as PostgreSQL or Oracle. It then follows with chapters on installation, with specific instructions for Solaris, Linux, and Windows; on MySQL's dialect of SQL (Structured Query Language); and on basic administration tasks such as configuration, startup and shutdown, logging, backup, and recovery. That's really all you need to get a basic database up and running, and it's all in the first 80 pages of the book.

Part II of the book covers more advanced administrative tasks, with chapters on performance tuning, security, and database design. This section of the book is weaker than the first section; while there's some useful introductory material on each of these topics, depth is lacking. For example, the discussion of putting a database into second normal form is misleading because it uses a table with only one field as the unique identifier, making it impossible to clearly illustrate the removal to a smaller table of fields that are dependent on only part of a (typically multifield) unique identifier. Also, some of the more advanced MySQL features which might be appropriate for this section are omitted.

Part III of the book, entitled "MySQL Programming", has sections accessing MySQL from Perl, Python, PHP, C, Java. These sections are mostly limited to information specific to MySQL that might not be found in general purpose documentation of these languages. For example, the PHP section documents the relevant function calls, since PHP uses different functions to access MySQL than it does to access, say, ODBC databases, while the Java section focuses on JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) driver configuration since the JDBC API is database independent.

Finally, there is a reference section and a good, complete index.

If what you want to do is get a small database up and running in a minimum of time with a minimum of hassle, this is the book for you. If you want more than an introductory level of detail and depth, though, you might look at other books; Leon Atkinson's "Core MySQL", for example, has more complete coverage, though the writing style is not as clear and direct.

Don't waste your money.......2003-11-05

this is a typical book comes out of George Reese:

1. poorly written
2. shamelessly copy and paste existing materials from reference manual
3. full of error

the author is only trying to get a quick buck or two.avoid it at all cost.

Not very useful, no "Managing" covered.......2003-10-15

I bought this book as a reference when I was migrating from SQL Server to MySQL. I was hoping to learn from this book some of the language implementations and how to administer on-line databases (backups, benchmarking, security). I found this book to be very lacking. The book provides very little of the language references of SQL, and devotes the majority of the text to function call references for C, Perl/DBI, PHP and Python. (I would think if you were looking for mysql function calls for these languages you would use the specific language reference). If you don't develop front-ends to MySQL in these languages (but still want to "Manage and Use MySQL") then the bulk of this book is probably useless to you.

As for managing MySQL, this text provides very little practical information. Sure it covers the GRANT statements, but doesn't go into much depth. For example, I found very little information about archiving or trying to incorporate some type of pseudo-replication.

In general, I notice that my book is still in fairly new condition, and doesn't get used much ... it is just an arm's reach away. I use the FREE online MySQL manual almost everyday. That should tell you something right there, huh.

Amazon.com

A true classic of World War II history, The Longest Day tells the story of the massive Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Journalist Cornelius Ryan began working on the book in the mid-1950s, while the memories of the D-day participants were still fresh, and he spent three years interviewing D-day survivors in the United States and Europe. When his book was first published in 1959, it was tremendously successful, establishing many of the legends of D-day that endure in the public's mind. Ryan was enormously skillful at weaving small personal stories into the overall narrative, and he would later use the same technique to depict the airborne invasion of Holland in A Bridge Too Far. Not only is The Longest Day a pleasure to read, but subsequent historians, dutifully noting its accuracy, have relied heavily on Ryan's research for their own accounts. In short, the book is a "must read" for anyone interested in the D-day invasion. --Robert McNamara

Book Description

THE CLASSIC ACCOUNT OF THE ALLIED INVASION OF NORMANDY

The Longest Day is Cornelius Ryan's unsurpassed account of D-Day, a book that endures as a masterpiece of military history. In this compelling tale of courage and heroism, glory and tragedy, Ryan painstakingly recreates the fateful hours that preceded and followed the massive invasion of Normandy to retell the story of an epic battle that would turn the tide against world fascism and free Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany.

This book, first published in 1959, is a must for anyone who loves history, as well as for anyone who wants to better understand how free nations prevailed at a time when darkness enshrouded the earth.

Customer Reviews:

Still the Best.......2007-10-13

I reread this classic account after watching the Ken Burns PBS documentary,"The War". While Burns' work is magnificent and spans the entire war effort on both fronts, Ryan'streatment of the Normandy invasion is still the best ever on this most remarkable of all military undertakings. Much like Burn, Ryan's writing is filled with poignant personal; accounts expertly interwoven into the broad scope of this climactic event. Its worth a reread.

great.......2007-06-13

very fast delivery, quality product, would do business again

Riveting. You can't put it down........2007-05-08

It's impossible to fail to recommend "The Longest Day" by Cornelius Ryan. It makes makes all of the uncertainties of war vivid and, in describing what would ultimately be a decisive victory, it shows the real (and tragic) results of errors in judgement, planning, and analysis ("Eisenhower 'lied' us into war," they'd say...). Most importantly, it shows a fighting spirit in the American and British military man that is unconquerable.

It is motivating, sobering, humbling, and a superb reminder of the greatness that we are capable of when our leadership is as resolved as our soldiers and when we are willing to cast ourselves into the midst of uncertainty with the intent of creating certainty in its place.

Should Make Everyone's Top 10 List.......2007-04-08

I originally read The Longest Day as a required military book several years ago. It looked like a quick easy read. After reading Stephen Ambrose's D-Day Book and watching Saving Private Ryan and the original Longest Day movie from the 60s, I didn't think I would get much more from the book. I was wrong about that.

This really is an amazing read, meticulously researched by Ryan, yet also so well written, you'll find yourself flying through the pages. May I also say, it's informative, yet also an entertaining and enjoyable read, despite the subject matter.

Ryan doesn't demonize the Germans, but instead writes about them as professional, albeit ruthless soldiers defending Fortress Europe. Likewise, he write about the allied forces with clarity and humanity.

The books has just enough detail to inform without slowing down the fast pace of the book. Hardcore military historians will consider this a general overview of the entire operation.

This book should be on the top 10 list of anyone who reads to develop a better historical understanding of American military operations. Also, the information about Hitler and Rommel's actions before and during the operation will dispel many commonly held myths.

Excellent .... left me wanting to read more ..........2006-11-27

I preface this review with the fact that I am NOT a historian ... and I'm not even that knowledgeable about WWII history. However, I do like to read non-fiction, especially history, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The book is truly a page-turner and puts perspective on what my grandfather's generation went through not only during the Normandy invasion but also during WWII overall (not that the book discusses much outside D-Day, but does give perspective).

The only problem I had with the book is that because it was so immersive, I actually had a hard time sleeping after reading any of the pages. The images painted by it were going through my head ... (and I have not had similar issues with other books that I can remember).

The book was so good that I'm now seeking out other WWII books (currently reading 'Flags of our Fathers') to help satiate my hunger for a better understanding of WWII.

The Longest Day - June 6, 1944 - The Classic Epic Of D-day

Average customer rating:

The Longest Day - June 6, 1944 - The Classic Epic Of D-day
Cornelius Ryan
Manufacturer: Touchstone/Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P6J40G

Book Description

In certain neighborhoods of New York City, an immigrant may live out his or her entire life without even becoming fluent in English. From the Russians of Brooklyn's Brighton Beach to the Dominicans of Manhattan's Washington Heights, New York is arguably the most ethnically diverse city in the world. Yet no wide-ranging ethnic history of the city has ever been attempted.

In All the Nations Under Heaven, Frederick Binder and David Reimers trace the shifting tides of New York's ethnic past, from its beginnings as a Dutch trading outpost to the present age where Third World immigration has given the population a truly global character. All the Nations Under Heaven explores the processes of cultural adaptation to life in New York, giving a lively account of immigrants new and old, and of the streets and neighborhoods they claimed and transformed.

All the Nations Under Heaven provides a comprehensive look at the unique cultural identities that have wrought changes on the city over nearly four centuries since Europeans first landed on the Atlantic shore. While detailing the various efforts to retain a cultural heritage, the book also looks at how ethnic and racial groups have interacted -- and clashed -- over the years.

From the influx of Irish and Germans in the nineteenth century to the recent arrival of Caribbean and Asian ethnic groups in large numbers, All the Nations Under Heaven explores the social, cultural, political, and economic lives of immigrants as they sought to form their own communities and struggled to define their identities within the grwonig heterogeneity of New York. In this timely, provocative book, Binder and Reimers offer insight into the cultural mosaic of New York at the turn of the millennium, where despite a civic pride that emphasizes the goals of diversity and tolerance, racial and ethnic conflict continue to shatter visions of peaceful coexistence.

Customer Reviews:

An immigrant history of New York City.......2002-10-15

I read this book as part of a graduate course on the history of New York City atLong Island University in Brooklyn, N.Y. This book tries to include brief and factual history of all of N.Y.'s immigrant groups. It also covers the various waves of immigration. A good book for a multicultural perspective on New York City.

Informative account of New York City Immigration.......2000-08-10

In this extremely well-researched book, Reimers and Binder attempt a task of Herculean difficulty: condensing over three centuries of New York City's immigration history into a 330 page book. Despite the inevitable shortcomings, their work puts forth a cohesive synthesis of the immigrant struggle in a bustling metropolis. Beginning with the Dutch settlements of the 1620's and ending with a general commentary on the state of NYC immigration in the present, the authors chronicle a tale of general stability in the face of internal fluctuation. Reading this book, one can't help but remember the old adage--the more things change, the more they stay the same--and the description fits the story of NYC immigration perfectly. Cyclical in nature, the history of New York's immigration is one of hard labor, (geographic)displacement of a previous immigrant group and a general assimilation of culture--usually in that order. Professors Reimers and Binder show us that although the face of New York City immigration may periodically change, the immigrant struggles and reality of urban life never do.

Average customer rating:

All the Nations Under Heaven
Frederick M./ Reimers, David M. Binder
Manufacturer: Columbia Univ Pr 01/1//1995
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N62374

Average customer rating:

All the Nations Under Heaven
Frederick Binder; David Reimers
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ7ZFI

A brief survey of the ways of God to man: Recommended to the serious consideration of all, whether believers or unbelievers, in every nation under heaven

Average customer rating:

A brief survey of the ways of God to man: Recommended to the serious consideration of all, whether believers or unbelievers, in every nation under heaven
Francis Wollaston
Manufacturer: Printed for the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, by B.R. Goakman ... sold by Black [and 14 others]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

The design of code and cipher systems has undergone major changes in modern times. Powerful personal computers have resulted in an explosion of e-banking, e-commerce and e-mail, and as a consequence the encryption of communications to ensure security has become a matter of public interest and importance. This book describes and analyzes many cipher systems ranging from the earliest and elementary to the most recent and sophisticated, such as RSA and DES, as well as wartime machines such as the ENIGMA and Hagelin, and ciphers used by spies. Security issues and possible methods of attack are discussed and illustrated by examples. The design of many systems involves advanced mathematical concepts and this is explained in detail in a major appendix. This book will appeal to anyone interested in codes and ciphers as used by private individuals, spies, governments and industry throughout history and right up to the present day.

Customer Reviews:

Survey of Ciphers.......2007-01-20

It's a good book if you have an interest in ciphers and haven't read much on the subject. It's not a book on modern cryptography and covers very little in the way of recent breakthrough technology. Based on your level of interest and experience it might or might not be the right book for you. It gets four stars from me because the author presents clear, well researched information.

well written and for all.......2004-08-07

This is not a schoolbook, yet it takes from the format some usefull features for such a book : you have some worked out examples and a few exercises to practice. After all, math is not something you read like a novel, but rather something you DO! The author understands that.

But the book also has an easy going feel to it and is very clear. Mixed in with the math, you have tidbits of history and general culture mixed in. If you compare it to a very good book out there (the code book by Singh), you find out more about the codes and the mechanics of them in this book.

good read!

You learn how some key encryption machines were made.......2002-09-29

The ability to convert data into a form that is readable only by a selected group has been a matter of utmost importance for thousands of years. The fate of entire nations has rested on the ability of a nation to keep their messages secure or accurately unravel the messages of opponents. The most celebrated cases involve instances of war, where the messages sent by the Germans and Japanese were intercepted and decrypted by the allies. While not decisive in the outcome of the war, the knowledge gained was of enormous value and did a great deal to assist in the victory. By far, the most well known case is that of the Enigma machine used by the Germans in world war two. The British were able to break the code and the knowledge they obtained made a significant difference in the early years of the war.
Encryption is now a foundation pillar of modern society. Trillions of dollars are now electronically exchanged over the course of a year, and the entire world economy is now dependent on the ability of computers to exchange data in a manner that is accurate and secure from fraud. While security over the Internet is the most widely cited example, most of the data is exchanged over private lines.
The first documented case of encryption being used in war is when Julius Caesar used a simple substitution cipher to send orders to his troops. That and all similar codes is where the book begins. After that, there is a very detailed examination of the Enigma and Hagelin machines, right down to how the wheels interact. This part of the book was by far the most interesting, as well as the descriptions of how it was possible for the allied cryptographers to break the Enigma code. It turns out that the breaking of the codes was not due to a flaw in the machine, but in the way it was used. The remaining part of the book is filled with a description of public key cryptography and the applications for the Internet.
The sections on the substitution ciphers and public key cryptography are good but fairly standard. Problems are given at the end of each chapter and solutions are in the back of the book. What makes this book unique is the mechanical descriptions of the Enigma and Hagelin cipher machines. If you are interested only in the mathematics of encryption, then you will most likely not find them interesting. However, if you are like me and are interested in the mechanical aspects of the machines, then you will like it.

Book Description

El Atlas de Ecología de Puerto Rico se fundamenta en la definición más sencilla de la ecología: la interacción entre el hombre y su hábitat.

Esta publicación presenta datos, gráficas y fotografías de tres aspectos fundamentales del ambiente en su contexto puertorriqueño:

*El Aire*
*El Agua*
*La Tierra*

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