REVIEW: PGP SOURCE CODE AND INTERNALS by Philip R Zimmermann, MIT Press 1995

This is the printed and bound version of the source code for pgp.  I guess
it will be very difficult for me to review this book, mainly because I am
not a programmer and consequently couldn't understand much of what it
means.

However, the real important thing here is that the PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
source code is available for one and all to scrutinize for weaknesses.  The 
fact that the source code always has been openly and freely available to 
anybody gives PGP its impeccable credentials of being high-security
crypto.   Up until now if you wanted a printed readout of the source code 
and internal files you had to print it yourself - the material is available 
by anonymous FTP and on thousands of bulletin boards as an ASCII file.  If 
my memory serves me, its about 600K ZIPped!  The publication of the PGP 
source code provides a convenient bound printed form that will suit anyone
interested in how PGP works or in scrutinizing it for weakness.  I do not
wish to give anyone the impression that I have done more than glance at
the source code for it is virtually meaningless to me.  Consequently I am
unable to review this book except to mention that it exists and why.  I'm
glad that it is freely avaialble for study and evaluation.  It makes me
feel secure knowing that PGP is what its author, Phil Zimmermann, says it
is.


%T      PGP - Source Code and Internals
%A      Philip R Zimmermann
%I      The M.I.T. Press
%C      Cambridge  Massachusetts
%D      1995
%O      $60.00 
%G      ISBN: 0-262-4039-4 
%P      907 pages, hardbound
%K      pgp, computer security, privacy


(C) 1995
Michael Crestohl
Nahant Massachusetts  USA
mc@shore.net

DISCLAIMER:  I have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the success or 
failure of the book or materials reviewed herewith, nor have I received any 
compensation (other than a review copy requested by me) from anyone who has.  
All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Other Internet and Aviation book/software reviews by me can be obtained 
by anonymous FTP from:  x2ftp.oulu.fi in the /pub/books/crestohl directory.