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Summary: Great Book!
Review: Can someone please make this story into a classy hollywood movie and lift it over the stereotypic Greco-Roman movies of the 60's i.e.:Bravehart. This is a story that MUST be told and appreciated by anyone who enjoys their democratic way of life today.
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Summary: Fabulous exploration of historic confrontation!
Review: Pressfield brings the lives of the Spartans to life in this book that also deals with the incredible carnage of real hand-to-hand warfare. I felt as if I was at the training, during the campaigns and during the incredible sacrifice that became know as the Battle of Thermopylae. I will never forget the tale or the ending!
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Summary: Author authentically captures the bloody reality of war.
Review: The battle scenes come alive with gruesome detail as the author describes the battlefields and the men who die upon them. The story flows smoothly and despite the complexity of all the characters the author maintains direction and focus. You will not want to set this book down.
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Summary: An incredible piece of work that is relevant to us all.
Review: "The Gates of Fire", by Steven Pressfield, is a precious gift to the world. Pressfield's uncanny knack of writing on what should be a dry and depressing subject, is alive with vibrant color, wit, wisdom, love, and strength. The characters, Xeo, Alexandros, Dienekes, and Leonidas become living people... people that the reader cares deeply for. The reader is taken along with the 300 fearless Spartans to Thermopylae where they sacrifice their noble lives to preserve Sparta. The reader feels the terror, the pride, the anger, the compassion of these warriors as they fight against 2,000,000 Persians. The tale begins in the aftermath of the battle as a Spartan slave is resurrected from the dead by Apollo so that the true story can be told. Pressfield's uncompromising attitude toward the life and death of the Spartan, helps the reader understand the true magnificance of the ethics, valor, and sacrifice that this tiny country has made. This epic novel is so impressive because it is the truth. It is the Gates of Fire... through which freedom and democracy have walked unscathed.
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Summary: I was surprised, to say the least
Review: I picked this book up at an airport bookstore fully expecting it to be unremarkable. I ended up quite surprised, to say the least. I have read a great deal about Greek hoplite warfare, and subsequent to reading this, I reread sections of Herodotus and read four other books about Sparta, Thermopylae, and the Persian Wars. In my view, the accuracy of the military equipment and the battle conditions is excellent, as is the reimagination of Spartan society. I read it under disjointed conditions, and so am not entirely certain about the narrative techniques. I plan on rereading it in a year to see if it was as good as I think it was. On the negative side, Polynikes and Leonidas were a little to reminiscent of the blind master in "Kung Fu". I would like to see Pressfield take on Salamis and Themistocles.
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Summary: The Spirit of the Warrior
Review: I am the vice principal at a Catholic school whose mascot is the Spartan. None of the the people at my school really seem to understand the significance of the name and I am now using this wonderful book to spread the message. I teach American history as well to 5th graders and I have been able to bring some of the spirit of these great warriors into my teaching. The sense of duty and the courage of the 300 are themes that are missing from our culture today. I hope that the children that I teach will tell the story to others and at least know what their school's nickname means. This is the kind of history that we need more of, less analysis and more of the spirit and humanity of the people! I love this book and have added it to my collection which includes The Killer Angels, Citizen Soldiers! We truely understand the spirit of the warrior and can apprecaite him!!!!!!!!!!
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Summary: Enjoyable Reading
Review: I like this book, the style is sharp, the story vivid, the history pretty accurate, and the moral dilemmas are still relevant in today's military units. I loved to read about the problems facing the Spartan King and his army commanders, the soldiers and their servants. The books is a fictional account of those who are about to die, know it, and still go forward contemplating life's big mysteries and gaining appreciation for their comrades, and those they left behind. The problem I had with this book is that it seems as if the author was testing my knowledge in both English grammar, and Greek pronunciation of personal names. I have no problems at all with geography, or the English language, and I love history, but it seemed to take away from the story, and becomes a burden after a while. If you are, or were in a close knit combat unit, this book will bring back memories. If you were not, but ever wandered what makes the men click, this one is for you.
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Summary: Phenomenal work
Review: A startling read; as an ex-marine and now a young business executive, I was deeply moved and affected by this work. Pressfield goes way beyond being a master of the vivid battlefield narrative; He zeroes in on the psychology of what we know today as "Espirit de Corps", the intangible quality that contrasts the truly great military organizations from the average fighting forces. Amazingly poignant, and infinitely applicable in the development of leadership skills and putting together tight knit organizations, I highly recommend this book for both military folks and business professionals. Pressfield reminds us that human history is replete with examples of excellence in the face of mind numbing adversity, and we would do well to study these and apply them to our lives. Thank you, Steven.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, GREAT, and grusome
Review: A fantastic book. It is a book that has retold the epic battle of Thermopylea in human terms with the soldiers eye and the soul of a patriot. I have re-read individual sections of this book many times and the passages continue to ring with force and power. As a member of the military I have found this book to be full of wit and wisdom to pass on as a leader and as a soldier. Bravo! Although, Mr. Pressfield has represented the brotherhood of men in arms without diminishing the brutality or war.
Rating: 
Summary: Disapointing
Review: I found this book a serious disappointment, given the vast number of 5 star reviews. Mr Pressfield has taken one of the seminal moments in western history and trivialized it. Greek words appear as if he were testing his European "your word power", only to distract the reader. I'm not impressed with his style, which is certainly short of action or involvement for what is self described as an "epic". One leaves this book with little or any empathy for the characters; which the story cries out for; nor the general protagonists.
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