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16516577 No.16516577 [Reply] [Original]

what books should i read if i want to become an armchair general?

>> No.16516593

>>16516577
18th (and early 19th) century prussian military treatises

>> No.16516603

>>16516577
Kill a pawnbroker

>> No.16516620

>>16516577
'On War' by Clausewitz
Obviously 'The art of war' by Sun Tzu
And then probably a couple pop non-fics about military technology arcs just interpolate the in-between

>> No.16516626

>>16516577
Proust and Debord

>> No.16516637

>>16516577
Napoleon of Notting Hill has a character that is an armchair general. It might help for some inspiration.

>> No.16516660

>>16516577

Guy from
>>16516620

Just a follow-up: that 'arcs' should be 'and'. Also, Clausewitz can be a bit of a filter so come in prepared.

A couple books on general game theory wouldn't hurt. If you want to go historical I'd say 'theory of games and economic behavior' but there's definitely more modern books that effectively condense the ideas

>> No.16516765

Besides everything already suggested, read the Roman historians, especially Julius Caesar's commentaries, maybe read The Anabasis of Alexander by Arrian as well.

>> No.16516779

>>16516577
>Read over and over again the campaigns of Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Gustavus, Turenne, Eugene and Frederic. ... This is the only way to become a great general and master the secrets of the art of war. - Napoleon
There you go, buddy.

>> No.16516823

>>16516593
Clauswitz and von Moltke, are incredible, the latter for his studies, the former for his role in creating doctrine for the Industrial Age. However, keep in mind that Prussia was only a uniquely successful military power in the late 19th century, and Friedrich II is massively overrated, considering his kingdom was only saved by the mercy of an incompetent Tsar.