The convergence of military strategy and mathematics in war games; from medieval to modern times.For centuries; both mathematical and military thinkers have used game-like scenarios to test their visions of mastering a complex world through symbolic operations. By the end of World War I; mathematical and military discourse in Germany simultaneously discovered the game as a productive concept. Mathematics and military strategy converged in World War II when mathematicians designed fields of operation. In this book; Philipp von Hilgers examines the theory and practice of war games through history; from the medieval game boards; captured on parchment; to the paper map exercises of the Third Reich. Von Hilgers considers how and why war games came to exist: why mathematical and military thinkers created simulations of one of the most unpredictable human activities on earth.Von Hilgers begins with the medieval rythmomachia; or Battle of Numbers; then reconstructs the ideas about war and games in the baroque period. He investigates the role of George Leopold von Reiswitz's tactical war game in nineteenth-century Prussia and describes the artifact itself: a game board--topped table with drawers for game implements. He explains Clausewitz's emphasis on the "fog of war" and the accompanying element of incalculability; examines the contributions of such thinkers as Clausewitz; Leibniz; Wittgenstein; and von Neumann; and investigates the war games of the German military between the two World Wars. Baudrillard declared this to be the age of simulacra; war games stand contrariwise as simulations that have not been subsumed in absolute virtuality.
#2958178 in Books 1997-03-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.56 x 1.00 x 6.47l; #File Name: 0253332214288 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Decent Unit HistoryBy Aussie ReaderLance Herdegen's book "The Men Stood Like Iron" is I think his fourth book on this subject. I have previously read "The Iron Brigade" by Alan T. Nolan and rated that one of my favourite Civil War books. This title isn't as good but still a very decent account of the Iron Brigade; one of the most famous brigades in the Union Army.This Brigade was made up of regiments from Wisconsin; Indiana; and Michigan; and this book covers its service and combat actions at Brawner's Farm; Second Bull Run and Antietam where it served with distinction and was awarded the name; "The Iron Brigade".This book stops at the completion of the Antietam campaign; however the fate of the Iron Brigade and its involvement at Gettysburg is covered in the author's most recent book; "Those Damned Black Hats!: The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign".Overall this was a decent unit history and combat study although the maps were limited in number as were the illustrations. The author writes well and utilises numerous first-hand accounts from members of the Brigade taken from letters; diaries and other sources. If you enjoy Civil War histories then I think you will be delighted in this book.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Black Hats of the Iron BrigadeBy Mike E. Evans"They Stood Like Iron" is a good overview of the history of the famed "Iron Brigade" of the Civil War. I am about 2/3 of the way through the book and find it an easy and interesting historical perpective of the fighting men of the Western regiments (Indiana; Wisconsin and Michigan) who comprised this famous unit. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about these hard fighting; brave warriors. I am personally interested because my great-great uncle was a member of Company A; 19th Indiana Volunteer Regiment who was severely wounded in his first battle (Brawner's Farm); recovered and went on to fight at Gettysburg; the Wilderness and eventually witnessed General Lee's surrender at Appomatox. Not only did he survive four years of service to the Union Army; but he lived to be 95 years of age upon his death in 1933!0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very well written Civil War historyBy CustomerGreat book about the Iron Brigade which included units that came from Wisconsin; Indiana; and Michigan. My great; great uncle and his brother-in-law were both members of this unit. Both of them survived the Civil War thankfully.
