- Paperback: 238 pages
- Publisher: Sphere; New edition edition (1 Oct 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0722130015
- ISBN-13: 978-0722130018
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.4 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 398,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Product Description
The men of the Dorsai were the finest fighting soldiers in the universe. But not even the Dorsai could anticipate the effect of Cletus Grahame's brilliant mind and the galaxy shaking theory he called "The Tactics of Mistake".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Slightly Asimovian in the technique of presenting problems to be solved with ingenious tactical solutions, Dickson's Dorsai novels are set in a galaxy where the burgeoning Earth colonies are being fought over by the Coalition and the Alliance.
When tactical expert Cletus Grahame is sent to the planet Kultis to assist the Alliance it sets in motion an inevitable sequence of events, orchestrated by Grahame, designed to break the stranglehold that Earth has on the colony worlds via the Alliance and the Coalition, and also to transform the mercenary Dorsai into an elite fighting force.
Grahame's nemesis is the coldly ambitious Dow De Castries, whom Grahame meets in the first chapter while on his way to Kultis. The entire novel, in fact, is a kind of elaborate game of chess, with Grahame employing his theory of `tactics of Mistake' to goad De Castries into retaliating against his every calculated move, making bigger and bigger mistakes until he ultimately destroys himself.
This novel at least stands the test of time very well and is interesting in that there is (as in `Dune') an oddly mystical slant to proceedings.
Kultis is one of the colonies of the Exotics, a quasi-mystical community who are both scientifically and philosophically advanced. They wear blue robes and are dedicated to the ongoing evolution of Humanity. there seems to be a slight Buddhist element to their beliefs and it is suggested that they have powers above and beyond the normal range of human capabilities.
Mondar, a high-ranking Exotic who becomes friends with Grahame, recognises something within the mercenary and invites him to join the Exotics. There is an odd yet powerful scene where Grahame, arriving at the Exotic's private office, appears to go into a trance and sees various possible other universes with alternate versions of himself and Mondar.
Later, Grahame employs various hypnotic meditation techniques to train his Dorsais to exploit their bodies to their maximum potential (as indeed, Paul Atreides did with the Fremen) and they subsequently become in demand among the indigenous populations of worlds where the Alliance and Coalition are in control. Grahame's elaborate chess game with De Castries is masterfully plotted and leads logically and inevitably (if not necessarily predictably) to a satisfying end game.
When tactical expert Cletus Grahame is sent to the planet Kultis to assist the Alliance it sets in motion an inevitable sequence of events, orchestrated by Grahame, designed to break the stranglehold that Earth has on the colony worlds via the Alliance and the Coalition, and also to transform the mercenary Dorsai into an elite fighting force.
Grahame's nemesis is the coldly ambitious Dow De Castries, whom Grahame meets in the first chapter while on his way to Kultis. The entire novel, in fact, is a kind of elaborate game of chess, with Grahame employing his theory of `tactics of Mistake' to goad De Castries into retaliating against his every calculated move, making bigger and bigger mistakes until he ultimately destroys himself.
This novel at least stands the test of time very well and is interesting in that there is (as in `Dune') an oddly mystical slant to proceedings.
Kultis is one of the colonies of the Exotics, a quasi-mystical community who are both scientifically and philosophically advanced. They wear blue robes and are dedicated to the ongoing evolution of Humanity. there seems to be a slight Buddhist element to their beliefs and it is suggested that they have powers above and beyond the normal range of human capabilities.
Mondar, a high-ranking Exotic who becomes friends with Grahame, recognises something within the mercenary and invites him to join the Exotics. There is an odd yet powerful scene where Grahame, arriving at the Exotic's private office, appears to go into a trance and sees various possible other universes with alternate versions of himself and Mondar.
Later, Grahame employs various hypnotic meditation techniques to train his Dorsais to exploit their bodies to their maximum potential (as indeed, Paul Atreides did with the Fremen) and they subsequently become in demand among the indigenous populations of worlds where the Alliance and Coalition are in control. Grahame's elaborate chess game with De Castries is masterfully plotted and leads logically and inevitably (if not necessarily predictably) to a satisfying end game.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is in many ways a prequel to the more commonly known books in the Dorsai Series.
In fact it can be said to describe the way the Dorsai mercenaries are transformed into the awesome military force, who are described in the rest of the series.
You do not have to have read the rest of the books in the series to thoroughly enjoy this book.
The action is quite entertaining and the tactical ideas of Cletus Graeme, who are the main character of the book, are very well thought out, although they are unorthodox, they never cross into the absurd.
But most of all this is a book, which really brings the characters to life - one of Dickson's main strength is the way he uses the story to give the reader an insight into what makes the characters act like they do.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
24 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Military Classic
19 April 2010
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I first read this book back in the early '70's, and then enlisted in the US Army. Yes, the lessons learned were in in themselves useful, but that was only the beginning. The concepts presented in the book were so relevant to the military situation at hand that I was able to excel myself. Consider also the timeless nature of the concepts of the complete soldier that is presented such that by reading this book I was able to not only grasp what my limited role as an enlisted soldier was, but more importantly I was able to grasp the ever more important role that the competent officer's role was. It wasn't only enough for me to be competent, but even more for so for the officer in tactical control to be competent as well. Ah, but to really grasp it you have to read the book. As well as the rest of the Childe Cycle novels.
The poignant part of this is that one day, back in the mid '70's, I was in the battalion commander's office on routine duty and noticed that right there in his bookcase on the lower case, within easy easy reach of his desk, was a copy of -- you guessed it -- Gordon Dickson's "Tactics of Mistake". Oh, and at the time he already had a CMH (Congressional Medal of Honor) earned in Vietnam, and would eventually earn triple General's Stars. Yes, this was on the bookshelf of a Lieutenant Colonel who would eventually become a 3 Star General. This is serious material, even though it is only a novel.
IMHO, for anyone who is interested in military strategy, this is a "must book". This is a classic that simply MUST be read.
The poignant part of this is that one day, back in the mid '70's, I was in the battalion commander's office on routine duty and noticed that right there in his bookcase on the lower case, within easy easy reach of his desk, was a copy of -- you guessed it -- Gordon Dickson's "Tactics of Mistake". Oh, and at the time he already had a CMH (Congressional Medal of Honor) earned in Vietnam, and would eventually earn triple General's Stars. Yes, this was on the bookshelf of a Lieutenant Colonel who would eventually become a 3 Star General. This is serious material, even though it is only a novel.
IMHO, for anyone who is interested in military strategy, this is a "must book". This is a classic that simply MUST be read.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Still A Classic!!
22 May 2002
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I first read this book years ago. Recently, I bought an used copy for a trip. It is still a classic!
THe plot is unusual-Grahme is a scholar/tactician assigned to a force fighting a guerilla war on one of the dozen colony worlds. Earth is divided into the Alliance/Coalition camps who fight their wars through these colonies. Grahme has some very unique ideas about fighting wars and, through deception and ruse, puts into into action and wins the war. Grahme's foil is Dow Castries, an Earth politician bent on world(s) domination. Grahme believes the new worlds should be free of Earth and chooses the Dorsai as his weapon. Grahme designs a novel training/strategy/tactics regime for the Dorsai to transform themselves into the best mercenaries in the universe. Using his Dorsai, Grahme wins several important successes that prompt Dow to unite the Earth into an all-out war. Grahme defeats Dow and paves the way for the new world's freedom.
The most interesting part of the story is not the military action-like most military amateurs Dickson is fighting the last war (Vietnam)- but Grahme's grasp and control of historical forces and his ability to manipulate people into his scheme, without their knowing it. It's a masterful attempt at persuasion and manipulation which sets in motion the novel's sequels.
Dickson, like his couterpart Grahme, has created an universe in which he controls everything according to a set scheme.
I'm just glad it's only fiction and that there's not really some super-powerful all-controlling force at work manipulating me and everyone else for its own designs. Now, where's the TV remote?
THe plot is unusual-Grahme is a scholar/tactician assigned to a force fighting a guerilla war on one of the dozen colony worlds. Earth is divided into the Alliance/Coalition camps who fight their wars through these colonies. Grahme has some very unique ideas about fighting wars and, through deception and ruse, puts into into action and wins the war. Grahme's foil is Dow Castries, an Earth politician bent on world(s) domination. Grahme believes the new worlds should be free of Earth and chooses the Dorsai as his weapon. Grahme designs a novel training/strategy/tactics regime for the Dorsai to transform themselves into the best mercenaries in the universe. Using his Dorsai, Grahme wins several important successes that prompt Dow to unite the Earth into an all-out war. Grahme defeats Dow and paves the way for the new world's freedom.
The most interesting part of the story is not the military action-like most military amateurs Dickson is fighting the last war (Vietnam)- but Grahme's grasp and control of historical forces and his ability to manipulate people into his scheme, without their knowing it. It's a masterful attempt at persuasion and manipulation which sets in motion the novel's sequels.
Dickson, like his couterpart Grahme, has created an universe in which he controls everything according to a set scheme.
I'm just glad it's only fiction and that there's not really some super-powerful all-controlling force at work manipulating me and everyone else for its own designs. Now, where's the TV remote?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
A Military Scholar
3 Dec 2006
Format:Paperback
Tactics of Mistake (1971) is the second SF novel in the Childe Cycle, following Necromancer. In the previous volume, Walter Blunt started a revolution by his Chantry Guild to destroy the cultural basis of his society. Yet Paul Formain stopped him and sent his chief followers out to find their own destinies. When Kantele offered to stay, Paul sent her after Blunt.
In this novel, Alliance Lieutenant Colonel Cletus Grahame introduces himself to Dow DeCastries, Secretary of Outworlds Affairs for the Coalition. He also meets Colonel Eachan Khan of the Dorsai Mercenaries and his daughter Melissa, the Exotic Outbond Mondar, and Pater Ten of DeCastries's staff. Then Cletus leads Dow into a conversation and demonstration that causes the Coalition official to lose face to Grahame.
When the ship reaches Kultis, Pater Ten uses the ship-to-planet lines heavily, so much so that none are available to Cletus. When they debark the shuttle, Mondar offers Cletus a ride to the town of Bakhalla in the command car with Colonel Khan and Melissa. On the way, guerrillas ambush the command car and ignore the following bus. Grahame uses a gambit to counter-ambush the guerrillas.
Reporting to the commanding general, Bat Traynor, Cletus offers his services as tactical advisor. When Traynor disparages his usefulness, Cletus mentions the upcoming infiltration of a guerrilla attack group through Etter Pass. While Bat is still doubtful of Grahame's contributions to the Alliance effort, he does send a company of troops under a marginally competent commander to intercept the infiltrators. Captain Athyer is ordered to listen to Grahame's tactical advice.
After Grahame and six men capture more than three dozen guerrillas, while Athyer and his men capture none, Traynor gives Cletus permission to set up a tactical briefing facility. Athyer is reassigned as liaison to the Exotic library at Grahame's insistence. Cletus goes on to capture a large number of men and supplies before they can infiltrate into the town, using the Alliance Navy detachment in Bakhalla harbor. The Navy wants more opportunities to capture guerrillas.
In this story, Grahame defeats every move by DeCastries and the guerrillas and eventually captures a large portion of the Neulander Colony regular troops. Cletus resigns from the Western Alliance military and emigrates to the Dorsai. There he starts training a new kind of soldier. He and DeCastries are fated to meet again.
Highly recommended for Dickson fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of military tactics, political intrigue, and a touch of romance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
In this novel, Alliance Lieutenant Colonel Cletus Grahame introduces himself to Dow DeCastries, Secretary of Outworlds Affairs for the Coalition. He also meets Colonel Eachan Khan of the Dorsai Mercenaries and his daughter Melissa, the Exotic Outbond Mondar, and Pater Ten of DeCastries's staff. Then Cletus leads Dow into a conversation and demonstration that causes the Coalition official to lose face to Grahame.
When the ship reaches Kultis, Pater Ten uses the ship-to-planet lines heavily, so much so that none are available to Cletus. When they debark the shuttle, Mondar offers Cletus a ride to the town of Bakhalla in the command car with Colonel Khan and Melissa. On the way, guerrillas ambush the command car and ignore the following bus. Grahame uses a gambit to counter-ambush the guerrillas.
Reporting to the commanding general, Bat Traynor, Cletus offers his services as tactical advisor. When Traynor disparages his usefulness, Cletus mentions the upcoming infiltration of a guerrilla attack group through Etter Pass. While Bat is still doubtful of Grahame's contributions to the Alliance effort, he does send a company of troops under a marginally competent commander to intercept the infiltrators. Captain Athyer is ordered to listen to Grahame's tactical advice.
After Grahame and six men capture more than three dozen guerrillas, while Athyer and his men capture none, Traynor gives Cletus permission to set up a tactical briefing facility. Athyer is reassigned as liaison to the Exotic library at Grahame's insistence. Cletus goes on to capture a large number of men and supplies before they can infiltrate into the town, using the Alliance Navy detachment in Bakhalla harbor. The Navy wants more opportunities to capture guerrillas.
In this story, Grahame defeats every move by DeCastries and the guerrillas and eventually captures a large portion of the Neulander Colony regular troops. Cletus resigns from the Western Alliance military and emigrates to the Dorsai. There he starts training a new kind of soldier. He and DeCastries are fated to meet again.
Highly recommended for Dickson fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of military tactics, political intrigue, and a touch of romance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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