Greece Hotels Travel :: Gates of Fire

Greece Hotels Travel - Gates of Fire

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Manufacturer: Doubleday

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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780385492515
ISBN: 0385492510
Label: Doubleday
Manufacturer: Doubleday
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 400
Publication Date: 1998-10-20
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: 1998-10-20
Studio: Doubleday

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Editorial Reviews:

Thousands of years ago, Herodotus and Plutarch immortalized Spartan society in their histories; but today, little is left of the ancient city or the social structure of this momentous culture. One of the few antiquarian marks of the civilization that has survived lies scores of miles away from Sparta, at a narrow Greek mountain pass called Thermopylae.

It was there that three hundred of Sparta's finest warriors held back the invading millions of the Persian empire and valiantly gave their lives in the selfless service of democracy and freedom. A simple engraved stone marks their burial ground.

Inspired by this stone and intrigued by the lore of Sparta, author Steven Pressfield has brilliantly combined scholarship with storytelling. Narrated by the sole survivor of the epic battle--a squire in the Spartan heavy infantry--Gates of Fire is a mesmerizing depiction of one man's indoctrination into the Spartan way of life and death, and of the legendary men and women who gave the culture an immortal gravity.

Culminating in the electrifying and horrifying epic battle, Gates of Fire weaves history, mystery, and heartbreaking romance into a literary page-turner that brings the Homeric tradition into the twenty-first century.

Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: Excellent story
Comment: I have been reading many historical fiction books on the Greeks and Romans and I am very happy to have found Steven Pressfield. This book is very well written and an enjoyable read. I have always been drawn to the Athenians and not the Spartans, but this book has turned my head around. What an incredible society. Definitely read this book.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Great in many ways
Comment: This book sets the standard for historical novels. Not only does it give a historical perspective of Greece from the eyes of the narrator, Xeones, but it also gives us a glimpse of the warrior spirit possessed by the Spartans. I especially like the fact that the story is told by someone outside of Spartan culture (a Helot from a nearby city-state). I think it lends more credibility to the narrator, and allows the reader more empathy. If the story were told from the perspective of a Spartan, many things may be taken for granted, or would sound strange being explained.

Overall, this book is great for anyone who wants to learn more about Spartan and Greek history, anyone who likes a good battle story (it reminded me of many of Richard Marcinko's books), or anyone who wants to understand a warrior mindset.

Customer Rating:

Summary: quequeeg
Comment: WOW! Take a history lesson while enjoying a fast read novel about the training and commitment of 300 Spartans, who hold off 2 million Persians at Thermopalye in 480 BC for seven days, to allow the armies of other Greek cities to mass for battle. When the Persian king demands that Spartans lay down their arms, Leonidas, king of Sparta replies: "Come and get them." If the Greeks had not stopped the Persian muslim hordes, they could have overrun Europe, eliminated Christianity and democracy.
I could not help comparing the philosophy, courage and commitment of these ancients under the threat of an overwhelming foe, to the embattled state of siege America is under today. What would the Spartans have done to ensure the preservation of (our) country?

I can't wait to read author Steven Pressfield's other novels about ancient Greece and environs.
To repeat the cliche, you will not want to put this book down.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Gates of Fire
Comment: This is an excellent depiction of the battle of Thermopylae. The author gives us a look at the friendships and honor each soldier has for one another. The characters in this book could be placed in any war at any time and their experinces would still be the same.

I recomend this book to anyone interested in joining the military or anyone who is curious about battle and the men who fight.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Fine historical novel
Comment: Really enjoyed this page turner. Plus it does a fine job of summarizing the Persian Wars.

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