Rating: 
Summary: Ambitious but flawed.
Review: I really wanted to like this book. Thermopylae has haunted my dreams since I was a boy and read about the three hundred who stood against the hordes of enemies to the last man. The story of Thermopylae turned me into a young Graecophile and had me reading Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War when my buddies were reading Archie comics. So, when I saw this book on the shelf and read the jacket, I bought it without checking the reviews. Not that that would have made any difference for it seems that most reviewers (at least those in here) loved the book. There are some things to like and they do go some way towards covering up the flaws but by no means do they redeem this work. Historic fiction is tricky business. You need to remain true to the events and the history and the characters and in the end you've done well if you bring to life the subject of your work. Steven Pressfield achieves that to a certain extent using first person narrative through a chronicle of the only survivor of the massacre at Thermopylae. The device works well in Pressfield's hands but the flaw is in the articulation of detail and the lack of warmth or caring in the words. Technically, everything is there. Good characterization. Plot and conflict to outdo any classic story you can think of. But the soul is missing. It's like a bronze statue of a Greek Hoplyte, detailed in every respect, shiny and impressive. But it's still not a warrior. It's still a statue. One of the problems in writing historic fiction is that often we are separated from the subject event by so much time and space that the context of our culture has no little or no common ground with the subject culture. The beliefs, traditions, daily actions and words and articulations of the characters have to be founded on some late-twentieth century relevant denominators otherwise the reader cannot connect with the novel. On the other hand, if an author wants to synthesize a believable historic reality, he needs to create an articulation of voice which the reader believes is from the era in which the novel is placed. But to do so, the author constantly runs the risk of sounding like he's pandering to his audience. Steven Pressfield wavers back and forth across this line - sometimes the narrative sounds like what the imagination believes a Greek soldier would sound like. At other times it sounds like a 20th century author's idea of what a Greek soldier would sound like. The author injects himself between the reader and the story and becomes a glaring presence in the most inopportune moments during the read. The over use in Gates of Fire of the colloquial term for fornication is one example of this. A much more balanced historic fiction read is Michael Shaara's Killer Angels. Now, granted, just out of oproximity it should be easier to replicate 19th century America than it is to bring to life a believeable ancient Peloponnesian culture. But in other respects it should be easier in that most readers would have little or no prejudice to overcome when setting up ancient history. All this to say that Gates of Fire is a decent rendering of an epic event but does not come close to being a literary classic. I hope the movie does well, though.
Rating: 
Summary: Not only about war and valor but about warriors and values
Review: While vividly bringing to life the battle which played a key role in the preservation of western civilization, Pressfield has accomplished even more. He has introduced us to the timeless values of Sparta. In so doing, he challenges us to reexamine our own time, values and, most of all, ourselves.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect book for the intelligent reader
Review: This book is an excellent antidote to the wordy junk that often passes for fiction today. Pressfield has written an engrossing novel that actually requires the reader to THINK while she/he is reading. The story is absolutely riveting and will give you a great understanding of Greek and Persian culture.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for the paperback
Review: I read a hardcover library copy of Gates of Fire back in May and want to get a paperback copy for my library. This book is fantastic, it takes the reader back to ancient Greece in vivid style. I rank it even higher than "The Triumph and the Glory" for truly inspirational passages of epic courage and selfless sacrifice for one's comrades and homeland. The stand of the Spartans at Thermopylae is a timeless example of bravery and Pressfield recaptures the terrible drama of that crucial battle with eloquence and style.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Engaging
Review: Without question, this is one of the finest books that I have ever read - military history or otherwise. When I go back and re-read certain sections, which I do frequently, I still get chills and feel the excitement of the battles, agoge training, and life in ancient Sparta. I hope they do not try to make this into a movie, as no film could ever capture this tale - this is a story that is best seen in your mind, not with your eyes. Bottom line - you will not be able to put this book down.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent
Review: I have always been drawn to the Battle of Thermopylae, and had harbored fantasies about writing a historical novel about it- I am happy Mr. Pressfield has beaten me to it. His writing is excellent, occasionally bordering on Homeric, and he has done a masterful job of recreating ancient Sparta. I never failed to be moved by the characters, and can only marvel at how vibrant everything is. This book puts Cold Mountain and every other recent piece of historical fiction I have read to shame.
Rating:
Summary: An epic novel of leadership, commitment and community
Review: This book is mislabeled as a history. Its themes are alive not only in the mythic tales of yore but in the corridors of modern corporate life! The struggle of true leadership - note the passages in Gates of Fire that descride King Leonidas and his simplicity and accessibility. The reciprocal love and admiration from not only his Spartan warrioirs, but their wives as well. Revel in page after page of the finer points of commitment and passion. The core of a warrior community that is based on embracing and conquering fear by learning the opposite of fear - love. Capture the essense of this greater love that binds community in the grand descriptions of the great clash with the mercenaries of the Persian Empire. Experience the love that allows one to lay down one's life for others and for a way of life. I think this is required reading for all leaders and modern corporate warriors...I guess you can tell that I liked it.
Rating: 
Summary: Very well done.
Review: Gates of Fire is a masterful recreation in historical fiction form of the desperate Battle of Thermopylae. I'd recently finished reading The Triumph and the Glory, another novel I'd highly recommend, and thought it would be heard to top, but Pressfield has with Gates of Fire. Both great novels, read them!
Rating:
Summary: Look in the Mirror
Review: "You will face your own fears. Any sense that you are somebody special in the community of warriors is immediately crushed to dust. I will read this book again and again as a reference point in terms of personal character and commitment to excellence when it counts."
Rating:
Summary: An incredible story, not just of war, but also of life
Review: I found "Gates of Fire" purely by accident. I was searching for information on the battle of Thermopylae and followed a link to the review of "Gates of Fire". After reading the review i HAD to have this book. so much so that it was my request for Christmas and my birthday. I finally recieved the book.....and was lucky enough to have a slow night at work. I read "Gates of Fire" in one sitting. I was overwhelmed at the content. This will be one of those books that I go back and reread on a reguler basis.....as soon as it is returned to me.
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