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Summary: A very moving experience
Review: I love historical novels that achieve the sense of time travel. I found myself back in time and loved it. Extremely well done!
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Summary: Superb!
Review: I try to read at least a book a week & have kept up that pace for the last 16 years. This is without question one of the finest books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. 5 stars is not enough...
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Summary: Exceptional action and moving human portraits
Review: This novel tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartan soldiers held off the entire Persian army until finally being destroyed. Told from the point of view of an imagined survivor, the story has the feel of real history infused with the immediacy of human feeling. We experience this historic clash in a more personal and particular way than one might imagine. A very exciting and moving book. A real pleasure to read.
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Summary: Terrific recreation of ancient Greek warfare
Review: An epic novel about good and evil, tyranny and freedom, and trust and betrayal. Gates of Fire has the relentless pace and stunning power of other great war novels like The Triumph and the Glory or The Thin Red Line, the psychological tension of Saving Private Ryan, and the historical depth that only a novelist of Pressfield's talent can deliver. I had my doubts that the author could pull this off but he has done so in fine style. The best war novel since The Killer Angels.
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Summary: A fantastic book which brilliantly succeeds in its genre
Review: As soon as I behold this book on the shelves of my local bookstore, I knew that I would have to buy it. The subject of this novel is somewhat dear to my heart as I have had an intense interest in the Battle of Thermopolye and Spartan warfare for many years. So, as I bought the book I felt a certain amount of apprehension, thinking that the book may not live up to my expectations. It did, however, wildly exceed my greatest hopes! The novel is brilliantly written, with an incredibly fast - paced style and this, included with the short length of the chapters makes it a real page - turner. I simply could not put the book down was I so enthralled in the adventures of the main character and those of his Spartan masters. Throughout the numerous battle scenes, such is the quality of the writing that the reader can almost feel the heat and the dust and smell the blood and death of battle. In conclusion, this book is a well - written, thrilling and successful historical novel, which vivedly recreates the experiences of the narrator and the Spartan way of life and its soldiers who died defending the freedom of Greece.
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Summary: Impressions of Gates of Fire
Review: I loved this book! Five Stars means a thought provoking and powerful reading experience. Gates of Fire is a wonderful story, vividly told and built on "page-turner" techniques as effective as any I've ever met. These warriors, women, mentors, kings, and children evoke love, fear, and honor from the very first paragraph. The jacket blurbs say "epic," and here "epic" doesn't just mean "long and involved." This historical novel is so true to its times that Homer's blend of perspective and immediacy, Herotodus' human interest and recognition of irony, the power of the gods and of fate are recognizable as you read--as well as a touch of dialogue that is about to become Platonic. By the time the first epic simile appeared in a battle narrative, Pressfield's world and the warrior society and life he had animated stood so solidly behind it that it was as powerfully moving, at least for this reader, as those of the Iliad. Also moving were the respect and richness with which this Greek world was imagined. The result is a historical novel whose life invades the present. "What is the opposite of fear? How do I live? What is worth dying for?" As a reader you do march out with the army. You find yourself on a battlefield, not in a table-of-contents from a history book. I recommend this book without reserve to anyone interested in Greek civilization, army life, military history, a meditation on life and time and sacrifice, or simply a good novel. Many thanks to Mr. Pressfield.
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Summary: Gates Of Fire: Simply the Best book I've read in a LONG time
Review: I am only half done this tale of Xeo and his adventures, but can already tell it will be one of my favorite books ever. I am 14, and so at first, I found this book a little challenging, but after a while, I got used to it. The story is wonderful, and even though I know nothing about the battle of Thermapolae, I am enjoying it so far.
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Summary: A wonderful insight into a fascinating time.
Review: Quite simply, I love this book. The story is so engorssing and written so well that I read it as quickly as possible. It kept me up late at night because I had to know what would happen. This book contains wonderful adventure, riveting accounts of battle, insight into the mystique of the Spartans and an enduring love story. The fact that these events actually occured make this all the more engrossing. I can not say enough about this book. Do yourself a favor and read it.
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Summary: Simply brilliant !
Review: I read Michael Shaara's " Killer Angels " last year and i thought i would never find a novel that could ever equal it. Well, this book has surpassed even Shaara's Putlizer prize effort in my humble opinion. To try to even summarise this book will be an injustice; just read it ! AND does anyone know if a movie is in the pipeline? Sean Connery as Leonadis, Brad Pitt as Polynikes, Leo D as Alexandros, Michelle Pfieffer as Arete etc..... hmmmmmmm.... perhaps and epic to outscale BraveHeart ?
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Summary: Brings to life the world-view of ancient Greece
Review: While providing a riveting account of the battle itself, Gates of Fire also provides a detailed picture of the nature of citizenship in ancient Greece. The lives of the characters reveal the philosophical roots of our modern notions of the relationship between citizen and state, the role of war, and even gender relations. Students of war, of democracy, and of philosophy should enjoy this book immensely. Gates of Fire combines the insights of John Keegan with the narrative grace of Stephen Ambrose. I couldn't put this book down -- actually having to ration myself to 20-30 pages at a time lest I succumb to gluttonously polishing the whole thing off. This is the kind of book that makes you wish that there were another 300 pages when you reach the end. If you enjoy this book, I'd also suggest "Achilles in Vietnam," and Keegan's works on the history of war.
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