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.
Rating: 
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.)
Rating:
Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this book. This is military history at its finest, combining the grit and grime of traditional war novels with the sweep of epic fiction. (In some ways, it reminds me of Glen Cook's fine "Black Company" books, but this is much, much better.) This story somehow succeeds in explaining why someone is willing to die for king and country without romanticizing war. Put another way, the book makes you understand that, even though "war is hell," sometimes it brings out the very best in the men that conduct it. The story alternates between chapters told from the perspective of a dying Greek warrior (lenghty flashbacks to his childhood, time in Sparta, and the battle itself) and those from the perspective of the Persian historian recording his statements. Gates of Fire also goes into some detail on the culture of the Spartans, which is a fascinating topic in its own right. Pressfield truly succeeds in bringing his characters to life - from the Spartan king to the soliders captured while trying to desert after the first day at the Gates. Every character has depth - there are no stock villiams or heroes here. It would have been easy to portray Xerxes as a faceless despot, but Pressfield manages to bring the Persian king to life as a thoughtful and lonely, albeit arrogant, man. On a more personal note, this was the first book I read after September 11. This story of heroism, and of people willing to die to protect their freedom and their country, reflects, to me at least, the heroism of our own soliders and rescue workers in the aftermath of the attacks on the United States.
Rating:
Summary: Sparta
Review: They way Pressfield describes this "tribe" or clan he makes me as a reader wanting to actually BE a spartiate warror, they way he describes the valor and pride of the men and the incredible intelligence behind this book makes it absolutely fantastic! I work in a bookstore, and I happened to see the frontcover of this book, I threw myself over it and for me it was a total pageturner. Now I'm really interested in Sparta and the ancient Greece and also the famous 10.000 Persian nobels. This book has oppened a new door to the magical world of books... thankyou very much Mr. Pressfield, and I (we) would very much enjoy another book.
Rating:
Summary: ELEMENTS OF LEADERSHIP UNCOVERED
Review: Mr. Pressfield's book "Gates of Fire" should be made required reading in every US Military Academy, and Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer professional development course. The story is engrossing in itself, but the real value here is the way Mr. Pressfield uncovers those traits that separate warriors from run-of-the-mill militia. Told from the point of view of Xeones, the lone Spartan survivor of the battle at Thermopylae, the story winds flawlessly through the major events that lead Xeones into his final battle. Beginning with his home city falling to traitorous allies, and his subsequent fight for survival with his cousin and uncle, to his arrival at the "agoge" (Spartan military academy), we are given a view of the lives of some of history's most impressive warriors. Better still, we are treated to insights into the Greek mind and learn what made the Spartans such exceptional leaders, tacticians and soldiers.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent work!
Review: I read Steven Pressfield`s book twice. It was translated into Greek which is my native language and I thought it revealed parts of the ancient Greek customs that have not been told up until today.
It was brutal, but 100% realistic and precise up to the final detail. After reading this book, I thought that Pressfield was a Greek author! I heard that it is going to be a movie soon. I am telling you that I will not see that movie. I prefer the smell of battle, as I have it in my mind, after reading this excellent book. Congratulations mr. Pressfield. Alexander Kesidis,
Journalist
Rating:
Summary: Enduring Power
Review: When I first grabbed a copy of this book, I was reluctant, if not downright disgusted with the thought of reading about Ancient Greeks. Rome had been the only Ancient race to strike me as succesful. Gates of Fire changed all that, Sparta comes alive through this master's work. Since reading this book I've switched my major to Greek History, now if that's not having an effect on a person, I don't know what is. Pressfield created a whole world for the reader to step into, one completely alien to our own but with an eerie familiarity that shocks and stuns you. I thought that we as a modern civilization could have nothing in common with the 'barbaric' Spartans, and this book proved that thought fallacious. Gates of Fire is a journey that takes the reader back into Antiquity to discover how Democracy survived and why "Free men fight better than slaves" (Herodotus). Pressfield is a genius, He proves once and for all in 'Gates of Fire' who deserves the title founders of democracy, and it ain't the Athenians.
Rating:
Summary: Excellant book
Review: This is truly one of the best books of all time. I've never had characters like these that simply can not get enough of. I couldn't put this book down, although I wasn't as impressed with Tides of War, which is still worth the read. Gates of Fire is without a doubt my favorite book ever.
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