The Art of War?

[€gg]

Sun Tsu said "Know yourself, know your enemy and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat". Yet why do some of the best teams that spend untold hours training, and fire more paint in a week than a factory can produce in a day still get taken to the cleaners. Teams that play against each other time and time again knowing each others weaknesses and strengths. The fact is the best oponent is not the one who is fastest or has the best gun or more team mates, but can react to the opositions bad reaction. In other words, exploit a fault in the lines, or, for our mentally handicaped, read the game...like a pro.
I've seen a mate (TWISTY @ Effingham ) run through a firing lane 50 yds and take out 5 guys cos he moved the same moment they all decide to...most unexpected move. Exploitation of the stupid.

 

[Hotpoint]

Originally posted by €gg
Sun Tsu said "Know yourself, know your enemy and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat".

[PEDANTIC MODE]
The exact quote is actually "know your enemy and know yourself and in a hundred battles your victory will never be endangered"
[/PEDANTIC MODE]

Sun Tzu is good. Carl Von Clausewitz is better

 

[Dan 2]

I think the exact quote depends on which translation you read, I've noticed subtle differences in the versions I've read... Oh and Machiavelli's 'The Art of War' is a much better book...

 

[Liz]

Interesting the "know your enemy" bit. Managers of teams in most sports these days spend hours & hours watching videos of their opposition playing, so they can work out what they do, how & when so they can exploit weaknesses. Are there any paintball captains or managers who do the same yet? I'm sort of assuming Robbo will be starting to do this for Nexxus, especially if the Euro X-Ball plans come to fruition.

 

[Hotpoint]

Originally posted by Dan 2
I think the exact quote depends on which translation you read, I've noticed subtle differences in the versions I've read... Oh and Machiavelli's 'The Art of War' is a much better book...

Although not a bad read and historically interesting I always thought Nicolo's version to be a bit too contemporary to be considered in the same league as Sun-Tzu or Clausewitz. His ideas on drill were okay for Rennaisance Italy but tactics change whilst strategy is for ever

He made good points on the use of Mercenaries though (very much against it)

Any fans of Jomini about (the fourth in the pantheon of Great Military Philosophers)?

 

[Beaker]

Miyamoto Mushashi - the Book of Five rings.

The best thing I've ever read for strategy, although not as literal.

 

[Dan 2]

Although not a bad read and historically interesting I always thought Nicolo's version to be a bit too contemporary to be considered in the same league as Sun-Tzu or Clausewitz. His ideas on drill were okay for Rennaisance Italy but tactics change whilst strategy is for ever

I agree that it might not be as overreaching as Sun-Tzu or Clausewitz, but it is still an important text and very interesting historically. I think the issue is a case of details; Sun-Tzu described a much more open situation and as such will always be relevant, but at the same time does not cover much in the way of specifics. Machiavelli got more into the specifics and as such although of less relevance today does provide an interesting insight into the method of war at that time... Plus I always found it interesting comparing how the modern military structure evolved from the model that he presented...

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by Hotpoint
Although not a bad read and historically interesting I always thought Nicolo's version to be a bit too contemporary to be considered in the same league as Sun-Tzu or Clausewitz.

OH.............. MY............. GOD !!!!!!

And who said paintballers aren't pretentious ?

Baca, the field is yours mate...destroy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pete

 

[TJ Lambini]

>>>Although not a bad read and historically interesting I always thought Nicolo's version to be a bit too contemporary to be considered in the same league as Sun-Tzu or Clausewitz.

I prefer the Dr Seuss version...

And Robo, anyone who uses the phrase 'The Sword of Damocles hung uneasily...' every other article he writes should avoided throwing stones at people in see-thre houses...

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by TJ Lambini
>>>Although not a bad read and historically interesting I always thought Nicolo's version to be a bit too contemporary to be considered in the same league as Sun-Tzu or Clausewitz.

I prefer the Dr Seuss version...

And Robo, anyone who uses the phrase 'The Sword of Damocles hung uneasily...' every other article he writes should avoided throwing stones at people in see-thre houses...

Oh come on TJ, there is a vast difference between the use of metaphores and what was written in that post !!!!!
I ain't in no glass house on this one mate, I'm in a nuclear 'frikkin' bunker duuuude !
Pete