diplomacy

Diplomacy: The Exciting Game of International Intrigue [BOX SET]
$99.95
Don't let one review skew your view. It's a fun game to play (provided you have the time to play it). There is a steep learning curve, but once you start, it's easy to see why this game was a favorite of some very astute people. This isn't as simply as checkers, but I would easily say it is more simple to learn and understand than chess, and best of all, there is a large community of people playing it, and it's easy to get involved.

Play with smart people, and you'll find this a rewarding, if not sometimes swear-inducing game of intrigue.

Diplomacy (A Touchstone book)
$23.00
Although a bit lengthy, Diplomacy as a whole stands as a well put together work that is informative to those who are both new to foreign policy or well-versed in the field. A definite must-read for any budding politicos out there.

Diplomacy
$30.00
Diplomacy is an awesome game, hands down! The game is designed for 7 players and it is playable but not as fun with 5 players and any less makes the game somewhat stale. Up until I bought my own copy of Diplomacy (which is what I am reviewing), my friends and I would play the 1961 version.

I make that last point because there are some serious differences between the two. While the rules remain fundamentally the same, this version comes with (durable) cardboard pieces. Like the 1961 version, squares represent armies and rectangles represent navies. While I like that this version's pieces have both a solid colored side and a graphic side, the army graphic is an artillery unit which I thought was not appropriate to represent an army (how about an Infantryman?); however the navy graphic was fine. I disliked that the pieces in general were cardboard as the '61 version had painted wooden pieces. As my personal opinion, I always thought the wood pieces created a novel depth (conjure here images of pre-digital war boards and maps with commanders pushing blocks around a map). The cardboard pieces are also susceptible to water damage (although both version's boards are too).

Another complaint I have with this version is that there is no container to easily separate nation's pieces by color. Something like that would have been a nice extra, although cannot be expected.

There were I found ample enough minimaps to use. They come on bound by that sticky-rip off stuff, like a paper note pad. While at least a couple dozen come with the game, if frequently played they will run out! I'd suggest either scanning the map and keeping a digital copy, going to staples or an office store and enlarging & laminating a few maps, or both (which I did, the lamination is cool because now I can use dry erase markers to make battle plans, etc).

Although I may have some complaints about the product, this game has given me dozens of excellent, wonderful memories with my friends and although I play with the same group, every game is different. Diplomacy is a wonderful game unto its own, simply to play although difficult to win!

Diplomacy
$14.99
Jack Christensen is an ambassador for the US to Belgium. He's married to Maire who loves her role. But Jack feels something is missing. Then he meets Lucas Carlton--a young new ambassador from the UK with his girlfriend Lucy. Feelings inside Jack start to emerge and he falls in love with Lucas. Lucas falls for Jack too--but Jack has his wife, Lucas has his girlfriend. To come out would be professional suicide...but they love each other.

Short (217 pages) and to the point story about two men who love each other but to come out would professionally and personally destroy them. It's well-written with interesting characters and moves at a brisk pace. However there are a few problems. The sex scenes are repetitive. The same sexual act is performed again and again and AGAIN! Gets dull after the third time. As a gay man I can attest that it's MUCH more varied than this story suggests. Also, I've read this story before and have seen these characters before also. Everything was ridiculously predictable. Still, it WAS well done and written and that counts for something. Worth reading--but only once.