In this introductory textbook the author explains the key topics in cryptography. He takes a modern approach, where defining what is meant by -secure- is as important as creating something that achieves that goal, and security definitions are central to the discussion throughout.
The author balances a largely non-rigorous style -- many proofs are sketched only -- with appropriate formality and depth. For example, he uses the terminology of groups and finite fields so that the reader can understand both the latest academic research and -real-world- documents such as application programming...