The Art of War

[Rick]

Ran onto this one playing with the Kindle. It was a free download. Wouldn't know what this was if I hadn't see it on the history channel. Even though this was written 800 BC it is still used as a text today for tactics. Somethings never change.

[Dan Shapiro]

Yeah, but the AH pol's keep skipping the part about 'Avoid war at all costs, but if you decide to go to war, you go 100%'.

[Rick]

A guy should get that in writing before joining the Service.

[PhillipM]

If you liked that, get 'The Prince' by Machivelle (sp?). One of the lessons is, "Never do your enemy a minor injury." This was proven in 1991 when we didn't go to Baghdad and will probably come true with North Korea.

[Ben Hartley]

Philip...


...If you liked that, get 'The Prince' by Machivelle (sp?). One of the lessons is, "Never do your enemy a minor injury."

Yep. Another, which I may misquote, as I'm working from (leaky) memory, is to the effect that "...the Prince must permit arms only to his friends and supporters, for to do otherwise is to encompass his own downfall."

Not there's any doubt, of course, but it sure clarifies things to know that much of the Feddle Gummint views me as an enemy.

Ben Hartley

[Dienekes]

I'm rereading it now. The good books out there are many and incredibly good. I can guarantee LBJ and his "best and brightest" never picked that one up. It's amazing how neglected they are, and how much blood and treasure they could save if only someone paid attention.

The stuff John Boyd wrote is tough going but very worthwhile.

Another hundred years and I may understand a few things.