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Summary: Pretty good, good fights
Review: A good military action novel but not a sterling piece of literature. Read it for good battle scenes.
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Summary: Ancient adventure at its best!!!
Review: As an avid reader of both fictional and non fictional history works since I've been 10, I've seen authors come and go. Pressfield really has found his niche with his interpretation of both Spartan military practise and the events that took place before and after the battle at the "Hot Gates". Although he admits taking literary license with some of the details of the training and organization of Spartan units, his depiction of the passion, spirit, and pure determination of the Spartans, and their allies is perfect. REQUIRED reading for anyone who claims they know their history!!
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Summary: Just a History Buff
Review: This is an outstanding study in leadership. Leonidas, King of Sparta, a superb leader, while Xeres, the Persian King, an inaffectual one. Leonidas, bore the harships of his men, in return all had great affection for him. He needed only to remind. Dicipline in the Startan camp was natural because of the example the valiant king set. He was at the front of the battle line, all men followed. On the other hand, poor Xeres had to use whips to send his men into the foray.Being a combat vetran myself, the bonds of comradship were developed with the tenderness and based on mutual trust and there was no question in my mind why the Spartans stayed to the end. Their leader, Leonidas would not leave.
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Summary: Author's Anachronisms
Review: Gates of Fire is full of anachronistic expressions, phrases, and terms. This terminology sometimes takes the form of phrases and expressions that would be used only by a 20th or 21st century speaker. Some examples of this are the use of the words knight and squire. While basic function of these terms may be similr to the Spartan army, these terrms carry connotations of Medieval Europe and Chivalry that sould not be applied. Additionally, the names given to Spatan military units are unit names used for 20th century armises. While the unit sizez might be comparable, the use of 20th century equivalenst destroys the atmosphere and color of the narration. It would be far better to use the original Greek terms, and explain there meaning. Additionally, the is also frequent use of phrases and words that really belong to the 20th century tend to destroy whatever color and atmosphere the author was trying to create. The idea of a historical novel is to create an atmosphere as well as tell a story. The author should provied the reader with developed atmosphere as well as telling a story and delivering a historical perspective. Steven pressfiled fails this misreably. I finally stopped reading the book one third of the way into it because of the anachronisms and other writing blunders. One added problenm is the use a entirely too much metaphor when descibing battles. While metaphrs can enhance any description when used properly, too much metaphor is an indulgence at best. At worst, it's drivel. Over all, I would recommend to readers of historical fiction to avoid Steven Pressfields books.
Rating: 
Summary: A great story and lesson of leadership
Review: This book was very engaging. It takes one in and wants you to keep coming back from more. It is three books in one. Least of all, it is a book about leadership. There quotes in there and passages as well for all men in the charge of others, especially those of us in the military service, to learn from. Furthermore, it is a history book of the Spartans. The Spartans train for war and are the most fierce. Many parralels can be seen between the Spartans and our military. The Spartans train their men in wrestling, boxing, gymnastics and drill, for things that come up frequently in a West Point Cadets time at the Academy. They inflict high casualties and lose few as our military does. They leave no man behind as our military does. Most importantly, it is a great tale of a man who longed to be a Spartan and who finally fought as one at the battle Thermopylae, the Spartans most famous stand were they and their allies number 4000 killed over 100,000 in seven daysmm and then around 400 strong held off over 10,000 troops for several hours in order to allow the Hellenic forces to mount. It is quite a story and I recommend that you read it. The only reason that I did not give it a five is that at times through out the book, Mr Pressfield uses twentieth century terminology and practices in the books which bring down the sense of realisim that is the books truest treasure.
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Summary: a true contemporary classic
Review: Truly one of the most staggering and powerful novels that I have ever read. I cannot recall a book, or for that matter any film, so epic in it's scope and power.
Although grounded in ancient history, there is an astonishing degree of richness and authenticity in the detail together with beautifully balanced characterisation all round, including the portrayal of the Persian king and his forces.
The battle sections genuinely read more rivettingly than watching any section of Black Hawk Down, Saving Private Ryan or Gladiator and are jaw dropping in the sheer brutality and raw power that they evoke.
Despite the blood, guts, and gore, at it's heart this novel touches the heights of humanity, beauty, heroism and poetry that I have rarely ever read.
Were it ever to be made into a film it has the potential to make Gladiator seem like a playground scrap, and not just from the perspective of the battles and spectacle but alsobecause of the resonance of it's emotional richness and the true far reaching historical implications of the actions of those Spartan warriors, even to this day.
This book should be regarded as a literary classic by any standard and will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
A rare treat which I cannot recommend enough.
Rating:
Summary: If I could give it more than 5 stars...
Review: This is the best book I have read in five years. Only A River Runs Through It and A Prayer for Owen Meany surpass the greatness of this exceptional piece of literature. Pressfield does a more than admirable job with presenting the Battle of Thermopylae. Much like Shaara's Killer Angels, this novel puts you in the action, in a warfare so unlike anything we have ever known that it may take you a while to read through the battle scenes. You can almost feel the charge of the enemy as you brace behind your oak and bronze shield, with a lance or spear in your hand, complete with lizard sticker. I agree with other reviewers that when you take this book to a deeper level the story becomes more base (simple agrarians versus cultural modernists), but this does not diminish in any way Pressfield's powerful words. In fact, it's the base message that probably best appeals to me. Are the Spartans fighting for democracy? Not necessarily as we know it, but you almost sense these fierce warriors embody true patriotism and an ethos of discipline and honor greater than anything known to man since. Is it page turning-yes, is it detailed-yes, is it humorous at times-yes, is it true to the battle-yes, does it take liberties with Spartan society-well ok so it's not prefect, but this book will thrill you, educate you and touch your humanity. Bravo Mr. Pressfield. You will not regret buying and reading this book.
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Summary: Beautifully written novel -- creepy message?
Review: Not quite in the same league as Mary Renault, Pressfield's "Gates of Fire" nonetheless depicts a vivid and believable picture of ancient Greece. Pressfield concentrates on Sparta, renowned for its warriors and its severe lifestyle, as well as for its territorial aggression and ruthlessness. In "Gates of Fire," Sparta transforms into a principled boot camp for Greece's defense force, whose heroism culminates in a suicidal stand at the gates of Thermopylae against the assembled hordes of Persia. Told from the point of view of a Spartan slave, Xerxes, who has risen from toil in the fields to the position of a squire, the narrative celebrates the camaraderie and élan of the Spartan military mindset. Also consider that the narrative is depicted as a set of notes intended for reading by the King of Persia -- the Spartans' foe at Thermopylae and an feminine, overeducated ruler of a vast empire, rich and cultured beyond the Greeks' conception - which hints at a philosophical message similar to those found in L. Sprague DeCamp novels and books such as "The Education of Little Tree." That is, people of earth, honest hard-scrabble farmers, are always superior in character and psychology to their urban counterparts. Pressfield's attention to detail is what makes this book spectacular. Ancient Greece comes alive under his pen. The characters are generally military fiction archetypes - the grizzled reluctant veteran, the young hot-head, etc - but done with enough seriousness and individuality that they still resonate. Pressfield's description of combat is gut-wrenching and ultimately makes this book a page-turner. But what is the book about? Enter the creepiness. Make no mistake, the Spartans were no advocate of civil liberties and freedom, as is hinted by Pressfield in the novel. They had lots of slaves and loved conquering and enslaving their neighbors. There is also an implication that Sparta's stand at Thermopylae paved the way for the development of democracy in ancient Greece. Which may be true, but it was in Athens democracy arose, not Sparta. In fact, the two cities were always bitter rivals. The book seems to glorify a military-school mentality. Hard training, ritualized humiliation, and combat build men and save countries. The arts and undisciplined minds invite dishonor and destruction. But I would argue that a strong nation is built from many, diverse elements, and that's where Pressfield's philosophy falls short. A strong nation has poets and warriors, not only warriors. In Sparta, however, all are compelled into military service. Every citizen must participate in the military. There's no freedom here. Still, I give the book four stars for its excellent depiction of Sparta and ancient warfare. A truly great novel of war, even if I disagree with the central tenets of the philosophy that glues the book together.
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Summary: From a Spartan's perspective
Review: As a teenager training in track & field events I crossed the grandiose statue of Leonidas with its dignified stand at the entrance of our stadium in Sparta numerous times. Cognizant of the stories and the legend of the king of Sparta, I had always admired this noble hero and the spirit he represented for our society. However, I hadn't realized the full scope of his charisma and the significance of his accomplishments to our civilization until much later. While studying abroad I became familiar with the writings of ancient Greek historians like Herodotus and Thucydides, as well as with the works of contemporary historical analysts and professors. I read about Spartan history with a passion, even though I didn't major in classics and grew to appreciate immensely my ancestors' ethos and contributions to Western civilization. Without a doubt Pressfield's novel Gates of Fire has been the most influential reading that I have encountered of the tale of the "300 Spartans".
The story in Gates of Fire revolves around the heroic stand of the Spartans against the millions of invading Persians. Thermopylae, the site of the heroic battle is a narrow passage between the enormous mountain ranges and ocean cliffs in central Greece. The Persian masses were advancing undisturbed in their conquest of southern Greece. The Greeks with an army of seven thousand with King Leonidas at the helm marched to Thermopylae, the only place that they stood a slim chance of resisting the invasion due to the nature of the extremely narrow site.
In reply to king Xerxes' demand of their surrendering of weapons, Leonidas answered with the infamous "Molon lave", "Come and take them from us". The Persian king couldn't believe the Greeks response in light of the fact they knew of the formidable forces the Persians had amassed. The Persian king waited four days for them to change their mind. The heroic battle started on the fifth.
The Greeks fought using brilliant strategies that took advantage of the natural escarpment and their defensive wall, and fought bravely and with discipline. They managed to hold the pass for days and in the process they decimated tens of thousands of the Persians army. Unfortunately, a traitor informed the Persians of a "goat path" that an elite force of ten thousand took to encircle the Greeks. Realizing the imminent the king of Sparta calmly convinced the Greek forces to retreat in order to live and fight another battle. Leonidas himself, true to Spartan tradition and rule, stayed to the end with his three hundred elite and a group of seven hundred locals of Thespiotia.
The battle was body to body combat, of the fiercest imaginable. Bravely, one by one the Spartans fell in their effort to take as many of the enemy they could with them, and with their sacrifice to provide an example of devotion to the ideals of their country that will remain enduring through the centuries. The Greek allies were able to regroup and using the example set by the Spartans won triumphantly in the sea battle of Salamina that followed.
With his novel Gates of Fire, Pressfield displays his incredible skill in describing and re-enacting the battle scenes. He captures all dimensions of this heroic saga, even the metaphysical. The characters in the story became real, you sympathize with them and feel their emotions as they prepare and take their final stance in the battlefield. Their ultimate sacrifice in honour of their peers, their wives and family, their city and its ideals, for the perseverance of their culture and its institutions. Pressfield provides such a thrilling account of the battle that you can't help but become mesmerized.
The battle at Thermopylae takes place in the second half of the novel. In the first half the author sketches the characters which we later empathize with. He also provides a very detailed and accurate account of the Spartan society. He has obviously researched extensively Spartan matters and provides a true historical lesson of military training, the role of women in their society, and the economic and political system of lykurgos' legacy.
I was personally very pleased to see a different spin put on the Spartan society than that from some contemporary historians that consider the Spartans strictly a military society. Contrary to this commonly held belief the Spartans were highly involved with the arts. Their ancient theatre of Orthia Artemidos could seat over ten thousand and played a central role in their culture. One only has to read Pausanias' "Lakonica" to understand the significance of architecture in the city. Pausanias provides a detailed eyewitness account of the monumental city buildings and statues present in Sparta especially on Afetaidos odos, something that has been neglected by contemporary historians. Most evidence of this great civilization was destroyed and lost with the violent earthquakes that have plagued the region, others destroyed by invaders of subsequent time periods and many lost to "archaeologists" like Fourmont who according to his own account destroyed anything he found of value at Sparta in 1730 and which he could not carry to France so other contemporaries don't find them and take the glory from him.
Ancient Sparta had numerous intellectuals, poets and artists that were highly regarded throughout the then known world. Among them Gitiades, Alkman and Hilon, one of the seven wise men of the ancient world. Again, thank you Mr. Pressfield for writing such an enthralling novel, based on the battle at Thermopylae and the 300 Spartans, my ancestors. This is truly an incredibly gripping and moving novel.
I read " Tides of War" and thought it was a superb novel, too.
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Summary: Spectacular reading!
Review: Undoubtedly one of the best books of its kind, "Gates of Fire" manages to well beyond simple military history. It is reminiscent of Michael Shaara's "Killer Angels" in its honest, yet compelling depiction of the individuals that make up the greater struggle. Like a modern Homer, Pressfield manages to capture the epic importance of the battle, yet still creates lasting connections between the reader and the characters depicted. Despite the sweeping panorama of warfare, you get a glimpse into the minds of both the Greek defenders and the Persian king Xerxes. Do not miss this book! (The unabridged audio version, with George Guidall as narrator, is equally riveting.)
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