Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield is a fictional retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, showcasing the intense culture and lives of the Spartan warriors. The book provides a vivid and graphic portrayal of the battle, with detailed descriptions of the violence and bravery displayed by the Spartans. Through the eyes of various characters, the author delves into themes of honor, sacrifice, determination, and the sheer horror of war, offering a human perspective on the historical event.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains graphic depictions of violence and warfare, which may be troubling for some readers, especially in the battle scenes that highlight the brutality of combat.
From The Publisher:
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
"Steven Pressfield brings the battle of Thermopylae to brilliant life."-Pat Conroy
At Thermopylae, a rocky mountain pass in northern Greece, the feared and admired Spartan soldiers stood three hundred strong. Theirs was a suicide mission, to hold the pass against the invading millions of the mighty Persian army.
Day after bloody day they withstood the terrible onslaught, buying time for the Greeks to rally their forces. Born into a cult of spiritual courage, physical endurance, and unmatched battle skill, the Spartans would be remembered for the greatest military stand in history-one that would not end until the rocks were awash with blood, leaving only one gravely injured Spartan squire to tell the tale. . . .
Ratings (10)
Incredible (7) | |
Loved It (2) | |
Liked It (1) |
Reader Stats (37):
Read It (12) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (15) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (8) |
1 comment(s)
I am so surprised that I liked this book so much.
I generally don't like historical fiction or stories about war. I had to read them in school and never really liked them. For several years now, I have been trying to broaden my reading horizons and try different genres that I don't usually read. Now, many years after I finished my school education, there came time for a historical novel, and one in which a lot of space is devoted to the war. Interestingly, this story includes one more thing that I do not like in my books - it is the story of the main character's life from his childhood to the moment he is now. So I am really surprised how interested I was in this story and how much I enjoyed it.
This is a male book. I can't say exactly why. But reading, or actually listening to the audiobook, I thought it was a book written by a man for men. It wasn't something that bothered me as a woman, but it was part of the experience.
Steven Pressfield narrates the events that led to the Battle of Thermopylae in an amazing way. His story is both extremely real and has something imaginary about it, something out of a fairy tale. Perhaps because it tells about events that happened hundreds of years ago that they seem unreal to us today. On the other hand, it is not a story of a battle or of political events, but of people who fought with their closest friends in a battle that was lost from the very beginning. In some respects, it reminds me of World War II uprisings (including the Warsaw Uprising), fired with no chance of victory, but only to choose the type of death.
This is a truly amazing story and wonderfully told. I am so happy that I read it. That's why from time to time I like to read something I don't usually read, because I can have that unique experience. I definitely recommend this book to those who are interested in ancient Greece and those who like stories about people caught up in a whirlwind of true historical events.
What can you read after
Gates of Fire?
About the Author:
Steven Pressfield is the author of the hugely successful historical novels Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and Last of the Amazons. His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was made into a movie starring Matt Damon and Will Smith in 2000. He…
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