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Gates of Fire

An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

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About this listen

Gates of Fire puts you at the side of valiant Spartan warriors in 480 BC for the bloody, climactic battle at Thermopylae. There, a few hundred of Sparta’s finest sacrificed their lives to hold back the invading Persian millions. The time they bought enabled the Greeks to rally - saving, according to ancient historian Herodotus, “Western democracy and freedom from perishing in the cradle.” How did the Spartans accomplish this superhuman feat? This is what the King of Persia hopes to learn from the sole Spartan survivor. The squire’s story indeed reveals the incredible rigors of Spartan training - and more importantly, how the whole culture fostered the mindset of fearlessness.

Steven Pressfield has skillfully combined scholarship and storytelling to bring the whole world of ancient Sparta brilliantly to life. George Guidall’s dramatic delivery enhances the richness and feeling of this inspired recreation.

©1998 Steven Pressfield (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLC Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction Ancient Greece Ancient History Tear-jerking Science Fiction Greek Mythology Greece War
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what a book, I become attached to the spartan characters and their journey, and was inspired by their fight to the death against overwhelming odds, this was an emotional ride

wow

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massive fan of this time period and the author brings it to life so we'll. this would have made a better film than 300 version. hughly recommended

one of best books ever read

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One of the best historic novels I've listened to/read. The BoT remains one of the pivotal points in world history and this is perfectly represented by Pressfield.

Great depiction of an epic story

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This dramatization has all the gore and violence you would expect in such a novel, but quite unexpected is the tenderness and valor portrayed.
Spartans are often portrayed as hardened war machines, but in this depiction they feel the same fear, the same loss as any other.
Driven by a love of their home and moral laws and by rigorous discipline, they faced insuperable odds, yet by their example turned the tide of the Persian-Greco war.
We are seeing similar events in Europe right now, which makes it all the more poignant.

An epic tale of heroism and destiny.

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Great story and philosophical insights. Occasionally hard to work out what was happening chronologically - less of an issue in the physical book probably.

Great if a little chronologically confusing at times

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