Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae by Steven Pressfield (1999, Paperback, Reissue)

As a grad student in ancient history, and an avid reader of historical fiction, I would hope I am a reliable judge of quality hisfic. But I would like to point out that you don't need a Ph.D. or a special interest to enjoy this work - it is a wonderful account of one of the most important battles in history, written with both depth and humor.

For those rare few who are not familiar with the battle of Thermopylae, tradition tells us that 300 Spartan warriors (Sparta was a polis, or city-state on the southern peninsula of Greece, the Peloponnesus) stood their ground, with the aid of a few thousand squires and allies, against an invading Persian army of over a million men. The Spartan force knew from the start that they were on a suicide mission, and chose the most highly defensible pass into mainland Greece they could find: Thermopylae, a narrow gap between mountain and sea, which allowed the Greeks to use their superior military training to fullest advantage.

But enough about the history. It's the pace, rhythm, an style of writing that pulls this novel together. The soldiers speak like soldiers (so conservative parents might want to pre-screen this one for their young children), and no detail is spared in camp life. It is a quick-paced narrative, told in the form of a frame story, as related by one Greek who had fought at Thermopylae and was dying of his wounds in the Persian camp.

What always impresses me most about great historical fiction is an author's ability to stay true to the history without engaging in meaningless exposition, or out-of-nowhere information dumps (if you wanted a textbook, you would have bought one, right?). Pressfield manages to relate the important details, imply that which is less important, and really takes care to tell the stories of the inividuals, the rank-and-file men, who spilled their blood to buy the Hellenes time to concentrate their defenses.

If I were to make an analogy with a more contemporary work, I would say it is the "Band of Brothers" of the ancient world. True, the story is told from only one point of view, but the Spartan lifestyle was communal, and so the men shared everything with each other, making it reasonable for one man to know the intimate details of his fellows' lives.

If there was a 6 out of 5 option, I would have ranked it thus (like I said, I'm a student of ancient history, not math!). =)

If you enjoy this book as much as I did, you might also try (ranked in order of my preference): "Pompeii," by Robert Harris; "The Ten Thousand," by Michael Curtis Ford; or "Roman Blood," by Steven Saylor.

There is not much I can say about Gates of Fire that can't better be experienced by reading it. I start by saying this much; if you are an ancient military history fan, or have an avid interest in the battle of thermopylae or the three hundred Spartans as it were, you will love this book. If you're looking for a personal perspective of the battle, the view behind the individual soldier's eyes, through the corinthian helm and behind the broad aspis shield, then you will likely cherish this book.

For me personally, reading this book has been exactly what I had hoped it would be. Here we get a taste of what Spartan life was like for the youth and into adulthood. The battle itself, of which the title is referring to, is so riveting and subtly dramatic I could not stop reading from the moment it began, and pondered it for days afterward. The book itself not only kept me interested, but also offered a taste of Steven Pressfield's Tides of War, in the form of a fourteen page preview at the end of its' few final pages.

The overall experience was worth every page, and by the time it ends will leave something for you to remember as well as learn from, for a long time to come.

First of all, let me just mention that I am Greek. The reason I am mentioning that is because, like all other nations, we greeks love our rich history.

And I was so impressed when I read a book like that from a foreign author. To be honest I was quite skeptical at the beginning. But only in the beginning. When I started reading all my doubts just flew away in a moment.

The book, although many things written are author's imagination, is historically accurate and gives the reader a full understanding of the time back then. The writing of Pressfield is smooth and keeps you wanting to read more and more till you are through. The story is about the battle of 300 Spartans at Thermopylae (which means hot gates in greek). I'm sure that especially after the movie 300 was released most of you already know the story so I won't bother you with historical facts.

What I will say though is that Mr. Pressfield completely overwhelmed my expectations. After the few first pages I totally sank in the book. Every line I read was visualised in front of my eyes, and I felt like I was actually living in Sparta, like all the things I’ve read were actually happening to me. I was in the book. Every turn in the story brought a new heartbeat and grew my anxiety more and more. And consider that I know the story of Thermopylae VERY good!

When I reached the end of the book, I found myself crying. Well, more accurately weeping! Being a bookworm I have read many books, a lot of them moved me, but what happened with Gates Of Fire was out of this world!

I would give this book 10 if I could. Movies should be based to books like that, and everyone can learn something from it! Or simply enjoy some exceptional reading! I have recommended it to everyone I know and got excellent feedback from all of them. I am recommending it to you as well. DO NOT miss the chance and get it!

Awesome book. I just received the book a few days back and have been reading it heavily. I enjoy the way the author tells the tale of the battle of thermopylae and just what the brave 300 spartans had to deal with before and during the heroic standoff. If you think that the movie was violent than wait till you get a load of this book. The detail makes it as if you were there watching this battle. Now one thing i must add is the book is around 500 pages so there is some heavy reading that will have to be done in order to finish this book. Overall I give this book a 5/5 as this is a classic and a must own for any war/spartan fan alike and even for newcomers to the world of the 300 brave spartans who gave their lives in order to save the innocent from a horrible death.

This book is so good, every review here made me laugh with surprise, because "that's exactly what I thought!"

It is one of the very few books that I can honestly say that I thank the author profusely for crafting such a fine work.
It's a beautiful shame that the very essence of the story is that there should never again be a sequel. Pressfield's telling of this story is one of a kind.

If you are a human being of drinking age, READ IT!