Steven Pressfield - Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

Pros: An eminently readable novel that dispenses some history lessons in the process.
Cons: Some few may find the introduction of so many ancient Greek terms disruptive.

In 1962 I was a young, impressionable male teen. Not surprisingly, I was inspired by those courageous and manly men to be found among athletes and historical figures. One Saturday matinee I chanced upon the movie The 300 Spartans....

Pros: Gripping and enjoyable read. Pressfield understands the warrior heart.
Cons: More explanation of archaic terms would bring them further to life.

Last month, I stood on sacred ground. A tiny hillock near the sea, insignificant today to the masses speeding by on the Hellenic National Road. Even the simple, flat, marker atop the hill is invisible to all except those who make the short walk up the ...

Pros: Splendid cast of characters. Thrilling recreation of an amazing battle.
Cons: Some may find the discussion of Greek customs to be boring.

In 480 B.C., 300 Spartans and their allies defiantly stood at a narrow mountain pass to defend against the massive Persian army of Xerxes, which consisted of more than 250,000 men (some reports claim more than a million). Despite the seemingly overwhelmin ...

Pros: Breathtaking....spellbinding......!!!!!!
Cons: Absolutely none!

This is a scorcher of a novel. It doesn't matter if you have never been remotely interested in ancient civilisation, you will love this book. You will love it because it is a bloody good read, ('bloody' is a necessary description, this book is not for...

Pros: A historical epic that reads like a best-selling novel
Cons: You won't be able to put it down once you start reading...

480 B.C....The Battle of Thermopylae - why should you care? Because this battle set the standard for heroism, dedication to duty and for giving one's own life....willingly....for one's country. This novel captures this precious moment in time better...

Pros: Character development, shows ambiguity
Cons: Distances the audience from the action

Gates of Fire is an interesting book, and, fortunately for me, it provides plenty of fodder for this review. However, this is unfortunate for the reader, for while Pressfield shows clear evidence that he is a talented writer, the book is too...

Pros: It is so bad, parts of it are funny
Cons: Major internal inconsistencies, poorly written, anachronisms, historically inaccurate

The historical novel Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield has received almost universally good reviews. It received outstanding reviews in both the New York Times and the New York Times Book Review, and good reviews in The New Yorker and USA Today. As of ...

Pros: a story of one of the most heroic warriors of all time
Cons: not much

This book was the first that I have chosen to read solely based on an epinion that I read. I read Bonies7 review of Gates of Fire and was very interested, so I did what he suggested and went out and got the book. I was not disappointed, this book spoke...

Pros: Fascinating, well-written and researched retelling of one of history's greatest military achievements
Cons: Gory in places, as you would expect

Yes, ladies, even you can get completely wrapped up in this gory tale of military glory and extreme heroism in the face of overwhelming odds. As one who does not enjoy our average war movie and who averts her eyes at the bloody bits of movies like...

Pros: Incredible language, it catches at every empathetic bone in your body.
Cons: Graphic battle scenes might disturb some sensitive readers.

This book has the ability to stand among the greatest novels, historical or not, of all time. Stephen Pressfield is either an incredible writer, or he was incredibly impassioned by his subject.

Who would not be interested in reading this...

Pros: a must read
Cons: none

This book is a must read for history buffs and armchair warriors alike! There have been few books among the many I have read that can be placed alongside this one on my mantel. Those that come to mind are "The Killer Angels" by Shaara,...

Pros: Awesome story, great writing
Cons: none (unless you don't like history at all)

I have had a fascination with ancient Greece and Rome ever since fifth grade when my class spent a trimester studying those cultures. Since then, I have read volumes on them and even majored in philosophy due largely to the fact that Plato and Aristotle...

Pros: Homer himself would be proud
Cons: The tragedy that is human self sacrifice

Gates of Fire recounts the classic true to life tale from Greek history of when, threatened by an invading Persian army of somewhere between 200,000 and 2,000,000 (depending on which historical source you believe), the Greek city state Sparta dispatched...

Pros: Excellent Historical fiction
Cons: Graphic Detail; Significant focus on war and death

There are numerous other excellent reviews on this book here, so I'll keep this brief. But take my word on it: This is an excellent book. If you aren't familiar with the story, this book is a narrative on the ancient battle of Thermopyle. It was here...

Pros: Full marks for texture and authenticity
Cons: Minor auctorial slips

As the hints so kindly remind me, I'll refrain from once more summing up the plot; see some other opinions here to get an idea.
Having got to read the odd historical novel, I find myself responding to the authors' ability (or inability) to evoke...