The Game of Diplomacy

Infobox Book
name = The Game of Diplomacy
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author = Richard Sharp
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country = UK
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genre =
publisher = Arthur Barker
pub_date = 1979
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pages = 192
isbn = 0213166763
oclc =
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"The Game of Diplomacy" is a book written in 1978 by the late Richard Sharp(Diplomacy player), a Diplomacy veteran who passed away in 2003, about the board game Diplomacy. It popularised "the Hedgehog" and covers all aspects of the game. Although it is debatable there is evidence it may have changed attitudes of many players(see negative reception).

Reception

"Positive:"The book has been described as "Excellently written", "a delight to read" with "a clearly and well designed introduction to ensnare the casual bookstore customer who has never heard of Diplomacy", "an excellent book".

"Negative:"The main criticism of the book is the bias in favour of England and Germany and the negativity towards Austria, Italy, and Turkey. Indeed a total of 69% said they would least like to play as the three latter countries; the total for England and Germany is 17%.

Introduction

Sharp said straight out Diplomacy is not a nice game but rather a better way of channeling negative energy rather than letting it be used for crime. He stated to win you must behave like a complete "cad" (a scoundrel presumably).

On Alliances

Sharp disliked alliances but suggested:

To ally with:	England	France	Germany	Italy	Austria	Turkey	Russia
England	N/A	No	Yes	No	No	Perhaps	Yes
France	No	N/A	Yes	No	No	No	No
Germany	No	No	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Italy	Perhaps	Yes	Yes	N/A	Yes	No	Yes
Austria	No	No	Yes	Yes	N/A	No	Yes
Turkey	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	N/A	Yes
Russia	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	N/A

On stabbing

Sharp stated that the stab is set up by the negotiations preceding it and should only be done when one is completely sure that it will be a blow from which the victim cannot possibly recover.

On relations with the other players

Sharp in Chapter 2 claimed there are a number of types of players and knowing what types of players your opponents are is vital. He states that you should lie about the reasons for the moves and not the moves themselves. Also that even if you play the same player more than once you should "treat every game as a new start".

On the most popular openings

ENG: Northern Opening:Sharp advised the use of the Yorkshire variation claiming this is the only move that will guarantee England a build in 1901.

GER: Blitzkrieg opening(Denmark variation):Although Sharp saw little point in moving to Ruhr he was satisfied with the rest of the opening.

RUS: Southern Defence/defense:Sharp found this opening did not suit aggresive players.

FRA: Maginot opening:Sharp completely rubbished this favouring the Picardy opening.

AUS: Trieste Variation of the Balkan Gambit:

ITA: Tyrolia Attack:

TUR: Russian Attack:

On England

OverallSharp said it is what is always the case with England- the sea makes it difficult for England to be invaded but also to invade anywhere else. He said that the majority of England's defeats are caused by French fleets sneaking into his unguarded rear. He said England could reach 14 supply centers but then be unable to proceed further with any degree of ease.PositionSharp claimed that England's island position was a double-edged sword: good for defence/defense but bad for expansion.

On France

Sharp said France is/was in a good position for taking two supply centers almost immediatley. Again states that France and England must be at war and that France's main problem was over-confidence.

On Germany

Sharp clearly thought highly of Germany regarding Diplomacy. He ended the chapter saying that Germany could be allies with everyone and relax while they tear each other to shreds.

On Austria

Although believing Austria was frequently eliminated early Sharp claimed to like playing as Austria and that the "Hedgehog" manouever and "Anschluss" alliance would give Austria a good chance.

On Italy

On Turkey

On Russia

Release details

*cite book |title=The Game of Diplomacy |last=Sharp |first=Richard |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1979 |publisher=Arthur Barker |location=London |isbn=0213166763 |pages=192 |url=

ources

*cite web |url=http://www.diplomacy-archive.com/god.htm |title=The Game of Diplomacy |accessdaymonth=8 October |accessyear=2008 |author=Richard Sharp |date=1978 |work= |publisher= [http://www.diplomacy-archive.com/ diplomacy-archive.com] "(Book text reproduced on-line.)"
*cite journal | author = Mark Berch | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Book Review — 'The Game of Diplomacy' | journal = Diplomacy World | volume = 22 | issue = | pages = 27-31 | publisher = Jerry Jones | location = Pasadena, CA | publication-date = Summer 1979 | date = 1979 | url = http://www.diplomacyworld.net/pdf/dw22.pdf | doi = | id = | accessdaymonth = 8 October | accessyear = 2008
*cite web |url=http://www.diplomacy-archive.com/resources/strategy/articles/unbalanced.htm |title=Is Diplomacy in the UK Unbalanced? |accessdaymonth=8 October |accessyear=2008 |author=Richard Gee |date=1984 |work= |publisher= [http://www.diplomacy-archive.com/ diplomacy-archive.com]