Gates of Fire

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Summary: One of the best books I've ever read!
Review: I have read MANY books on many different wars. This book is the first I've read of the Spartans, and the Greeks in general. Pressfield is very discriptive in this book and puts the story together like a master. The suspense in this book is unbelievable! I think that good books make you want to know more. They make you think about the characters at the end. A good book will keep you thinking about it for a long time after. This was one of those books.

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Summary: An Excellent Read for Anyone Who Enjoys Reading Historical F
Review: An excellent read which enables the reader to understand the mindset of the Greeks. The battle scenes are realistic, but aren't half as impressive as the 'human' side of the book.

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Summary: Excellent atmosphere, some writing a little stale
Review: This book is an excellent view of the world from the Spartan point of view, a refreshing change from the typical Athenian view of things. It explains the Spartan culture and societal organization, and places its narrator in a logical, reasonable spot for the narrative. There's probably a little too much of the narrator's own background, which has less to do with the battle of Thermopylae than is pretended, and this book could possible have been better written in the third-person. Among other things, it would have required less stretching to explain an omniscient view of the side of the battle in which everyone died. Given that you never really care much about the narrator, he gets in the way a lot. But the explanation of strategy and drama is fantastic, particularly if you are already predisposed to interest in the time period.

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Summary: Gut-wrenching depiction of infantry warfare
Review: Next to the Shaara Civil War trilogy, the best war novel that I have ever read. Pressfield paints the physical and psychological training in all its brutality through the eyes of a participant while illuminating the societal underpinnings of the Spartan civilization. His account of the stand at Thermopylae is truly epic, encompassing the entire range of emotions in describing the valiant and selfless sacrifice of the Spartans. I highly recommmend to any soldier or anyone interested in military history; you will not be disappointed.

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Summary: A comic book with picture words
Review: What a disppointment. The book may wallow in 5 star reviews but where is the beef? I felt I was in 5th Grade Ancient History class with Sister Emiliana droning on as I was peeking at the scantily clad people in the illustrations. There is no depth to this book which extols one of the most brutal societies the world has ever known (Sparta) which was, luckily, defeated later on in history. To all those good folks who raved about this valiant effort to write "history" I recommend any book by Mary Renault. It's interesting that none of the reviewers have made this (Greek) connection. This book is a sham disguised as "classy" -- sort of like that Cave of the Bear Clan book that did the secretary book-of-the-week run as a "classic." Save your pennies. Get Mary Renault.

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Summary: A fantastic and gripping read !
Review: Perhaps one of the greatest books I have ever read, most definitely ranks in my top five. Gripping from cover to cover, Pressfield's account of Sparta and the Battle of Thermopylae is a must read for anyone with even a passing interest in ancient Greece. In fact, I would strongly recommend this to anyone who likes a good adventure story ! The characters are believable, and the battles so bloody and realistic it's almost as if you are there. If you want to know what it was like to fight with the Spartans - read this book !

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely spectacular
Review: This is the most extraordinary war novel I have ever read. The writing and dialouge are wonderful, and the visual nature of the novel is unparallelled. If you liked Killer Angels, if you liked Cold Mountain, read this book.

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Summary: The True meaning of "Guts"and Bravery
Review: As a former West Pointer, and avid history reader, I was very appreciative of the way Pressfield depicted the "Psychological" training, as well as the unbelievably harsh physical training methods, of this ancient Spartan culture. The way he depicted the characters of Dienekes and Leonidas brought to mind other great leaders in Military history. The philosophical questions posed, the way the Spartan units remained a tight unit throughout, and the pure "Humanness"of these characters who were living a kind of "hell on earth," all led to a remarkable reading experience for this reader. One cannot help but think how "soft" we as a people are today. Anyone who is aspiring to go into the military should read this book, and all soldiers, past and present should read this book. Also, any one who takes their everyday freedoms for granted should read this book , for it reminds us, as history should, that a people should always be vigilant and guard against encroaching Tyranny at all times.

Rating:
Summary: outstanding
Review: This is the best rendering of hellenic history I have ever encountered. As for ancient history made accessible, it reminds me of the first time I read "Aztec". I read it in 6 straight hours. Truly a well crafted book.

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Summary: If you like Braveheart, you'll LOVE this book!!
Review: One of the most compelling stories ever written about men at war. Not just about the battle itself, which could easily be turned into volumes of its own, but also about the people and the city-state of Sparta herself. You won't be able to deny yourself the imagery so vividly depicted in this novel. When it's over, you'll swear you were there.