Rating: 
Summary: Nice Action, But Lacks Candor
Review: As you can see, this book has attracted many admirers. All in all, I thought it well done, but lacking in any honest examination of the cruelty of Spartan military training. This is addressed, but is sugar-coated somewhat. However, the issue of homosexuality isn't even mentioned.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best I've ever read
Review: It took me two weeks to finally break down and buy this book after seeing it on the bookshelf day after day. I read it in about 6 or 8 hours and couldn't put it down. I lent it to a friend of mine who told me that when he got to the last 100 pages, he couldn't put it down. This book is, simply, the Saving Private Ryan of Ancient Greece. It is muddy and bloody and can even be vulgar at times but the level of description given to Spartan society, the Spartan army and especially to the Battle of Thermopylae are unparalleled. The front-line descriptions of the three day battle itself had me feeling transported through 2800 years and witnessing it first hand. And the savage and brutal war fought by men who KNEW they were there to die will leave you feeling like you lost close friends and wishing you had Greek lineage in your blood (Thankfully, I'm Scottish). Read this book. You will not regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Real heros, great book.
Review: You got to read this book if you liked the movie '300 Spartans' or you are into historical battles. This is the one best 3rd person voice type books that I have ever read. You will think you was there not just to see it but to die with the Spartans.
Rating:
Summary: Occasionally vulgar, but very entertaining
Review: I truly enjoyed this book, which blended a detailed description of the Spartan warrior's ethos with a nice narrative about the squire, Xeones. Therefore, I recommended it without reservation to friends, some of whom told me that they liked the book, but were put-off by the characters'occasionally vulgar language. Because of that, I didn't feel like I could recommend it wholeheartedly to everyone. Personally, I didn't find the language to be an impediment to enjoying the book. If anything, the characters' speech added to the book's realism. Under the worst of conditions, you can't expect people to display their best manners.
Rating:
Summary: A masterful tale of the classical world
Review: Steven Pressfield does something here that very few historians (and not many novelists, either) are able to accomplish: Create a compelling yet historically accurate tale of the Classical World. He brings exquisite life to the Spartans, eschewing the base stereotypes and embracing the noble stereotypes of these remarkable people. He also empowers the women of Sparta (oft overlooked) without coming off as a feminist (it is obvious he conveys their status for reasons of historical accuracy, not political correctness). The only minus is the digressionary voice that sometimes finds its way into the work; I feel a chronological tale would have revealed more of the development of the narrator's person. I also disliked the Persian voice in the book, but I understand its necessity as many readers are not familiar with the events of the aftermath of Thermopylae. Do not let these minor details distract you from a great read; I recommend it heartily.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not *that* good
Review: Great book for quality, detailed battle scenes.However, that's about as far as it went for me (which is really good, most authors can't write engagingly about warfare). Characters and dialogue flat at best, ridiculous at worst, something like comic book superheroes: pompous and unnatural. Characters and dialogue also remind me of what you find in Jack Whyte's books or the soldier caricatures in old World War 2 movies. I certainly didn't give a rip about these guys dying and I wasn't swept with emotion over their "noble warrior ethos". I might have rated this at 5 stars when I was in junior high. These days I'm looking for more than battle scenes, and there are "historical fiction" books out there with battles and much more. For example, try B Cornwell's Arthurian series, or even his Sharpe books. Parke Godwin is also a good one for battles and believable characters and dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: Heroism at its finest!
Review: Mandatory reading for those who wish to know the warrior's ethos, and the answer to the question: why do we need Spartans standing guard at the gates of freedom? The history, especially from 480 BC, is difficult to substantiate, but Pressfield's GATES OF FIRES should probably be defined as a classic and a model for historical novels. While the early chapters are a bit laborious to wade through, the hook is soon set, and you will not shake it. For those who understand the meaning of duty, honor, country and sacrifice, there is special significance to this story -- the epic stand of 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae.
Rating:
Summary: Gates of Fire
Review: This is an excellent story of the Battle of Thermpylae. It truly is Historical Fiction at its best. Any one who is remotely interested in Military History or just looking for a good story should read this.
Rating:
Summary: Higly succesful in combing history and an epic story.
Review: "Gates of Fire" is exciting, historically interesting, but - most important - totally gripping. Is there anything, there is at one time so tragic, so bittersweet and still so wonderfull, as reading and wellwritten book and get to know, respect and love a group of people, that you know will die in the end of the book? I think not."Gates of Fire" tells souch a story, and the characters are very realistic described. It is historically interesting, also because it tells about the (noble, in their own way) motives of the Spartans, whom are often described as babarians compared to the Athens. For anyone who likes historical literature, and who are interested in ancient Greece, this is a great book.
Rating:
Summary: A great book about a great battle
Review: Authentic and gritty, with characters you end up caring about
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