# Applied Cryptography by Bruce Schneier

3 Hacker News commenters recommended Applied Cryptography by Bruce Schneier and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 2 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended as a classic introduction to cryptography, but critics say it is not a reliable reference or learning tool.

## Why people recommend it

- Seminal, widely cited cryptography classic (1 comments): "Bruce Schneier described this in his seminal book Applied Cryptography" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48275526))
- Enjoyable read for self-learners (1 comments): "I read _Applied Cryptography_ on my own in high school, with great relish." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49362623))
- Clear explanations across many topics (1 comments): "clarity rained upon many things" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48008311))

## What people warn about

- Not a reliable reference or learning tool (1 comments): "if you think Applied Cryptography is a useful reference or learning tool, it's pretty important to know that it is not." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48017304))
- Says it has caused significant damage (1 comments): "More damage has been done by that book than by any Herbert Schildt C language book." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48009205))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [The Car Hacker's Handbook by Craig Smith](https://hackerapproved.com/p/car-hacker-s-handbook.md): 3 recommend
- [Hacking the Xbox by Andrew Huang](https://hackerapproved.com/p/hacking-the-xbox.md): 3 recommend
- [Silence on the Wire by Michal Zalewski](https://hackerapproved.com/p/silence-on-the-wire.md): 2 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119439027?tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/130825/9781119439028) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Applied Cryptography by Bruce Schneier", https://hackerapproved.com/p/applied-cryptography/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).