So, all of that said, what follows is my interpretation and perspective of what generally happened during this game.  
As I said at the beginning of this diatribe, I was very excited about this game beginning because it had been so long since I had played.  I had also gotten the country that I wanted so was happy about that too.  Feeling quite humble due to my lack of online experience with the game I waited for others to contact me first (a mistake).  Turkey and I exchanged a few emails making the Black Sea a neutral zone that either side could use as long as they cleared it with the other first thereby laying the groundwork for an alliance that I think lasted the entire game.  Brian (Germany) took Warsaw relatively early in the game and received a scalding email from me in retaliation (everyone saw how fast he pulled out of Warsaw as a result of that email).  Convincing Brian that I was worth keeping around (in his words "becoming his vassal") allowed me to send emails to everyone asking that they attack him.  I was never aware of any alliance against him as I rarely felt that I received any useful responses from anyone. I never quit having my own agenda and never trusted anything that Brian told me.  I simply did what was necessary to stay alive, especially after England took St. Pete.  At that point I used Brian to help me hold England off.  I found quickly that neither England or Germany could be trusted.  After my initial attacks against Austria-Hungary and Turkey's attacks against Italy I quickly realized that Turkey and I really needed Austria and Italy if we were going to counter what I perceived as an England France Germany coalition.  I quickly perceived that all three of these players were probably Republicans and realized that I needed to do something to keep the world free (ok, it's only funny if you understand my politics so never mind).  Unfortunately, our initial attacks against Austria and Italy prevented them from being able to trust us when it mattered most.  Italy wasn't even aware that France was eating his lunch from the West until I pointed it out to him.  Austria was a lost cause. I turned my attention to trying to get Germany to cooperate more with Turkey and myself as at that point in time England and France were dangerously close to having a combined 18 SC required for a fake win (I say fake win because the rulebook does not recognize any win other than a single player win.  Nothing else is accepted.  It's like Highlander you know, there can be only one.  Despite this the players out there that feel that you can add to or take away from the rulebook at will have decided that you can have group wins.  Sorry, doesn't exist in the rulebook only in the minds of those who delude themselves.).  While helping Germany I rarely could count on him to keep his word.  Future FTF or online "real" (traditional, non Gunboat) diplomacy games will not see me as trusting of him.  BTW, the only place anything resembling Gunboat is found in the rules is where they talk about playing one or two turns with no diplomacy to get new players the "feel" of the game board and the game action.  Then you're supposed to play "REAL" Diplomacy following the rulebook.  
I dont know which "two" stabs Brian is talking about as being "textbook" but I know he stabbed me first.  I tried to warn both England and France before their stabs that the stabs were coming and that Germany could not be trusted.  Neither listened. Toward the end the diplomacy seemed to break down again as people quit talking, at least to me.  I attempted contacting people during the last few turns but most were not returned.  In the end I was simply trying to prevent Germany from getting those last SCs but failed.  

I want to congratulate Brian and look forward to perhaps playing again either FTF or online.  I learned a lot from you and appreciate the time you took in schooling an old dog.  Just remember, old dogs can learn new tricks.  Carl, as Spock said, "You are, and always will be, my friend."  Chris, as usual, an amazing job.  Thank you for allowing me to take part.  The rest of you guys, I really appreciate the understanding you showed when my wife had the heart attack.  This year has been a difficult one for me and I am thankful that I have guys like you to try and kill (in a game anyway).  It helps with the stress.

Chris is supposed to be putting another Wooden Ships and Iron Men historical scenario together and I'm going to be in it so will hopefully see some of you there soon.  
Finally, In the end, there was only one.  And that is the way it should be.