Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae Mass Market Paperback – August 31, 1999

One could read a hundred different accounts of the battle and never gain a full appreciation for the gallantry displayed by the Spartans at Thermopylae. One need only read Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire once and he comes away with much more than merely an appreciation for the Spartans' undaunted courage against the best of Xerxes' Persian Empire. Indeed, the warrior ethos with which the 300 Spartan chosen are imbued beginning almost at infancy transcends courage on any level. Upon completing Gates of Fire, the reader concludes that the Spartan code was perhaps even more than a way of life. Spartans ascend to a higher plane of existence, and they undergo a spiritual metamorphosis as part of their development as warriors.The author, through detailed description and believable, authentic period dialogue, lends an aesthetic quality to the Spartan culture. Pressfield's remarkable prose brings to life the almost mystical aura surrounding this ancient Hellenic people. Most significant, the combat scenes play out so vividly in the author's writing. During the climactic battle at the `Hot Gates', the reader feels as if he is right there with the Spartans thrusting, slashing, and otherwise slugging it out with the innumerable Persian Immortals. It is only through the author's thorough research and masterful storytelling that we understand what drove these men to astonishing feats of "heart-stopping valor."Self-discipline and self-denial combined with grueling, bone-breaking, and muscle-tearing training are as much a part of the Spartans' lives as eating and sleeping. And once they are wholly exhausted, the real training begins. But their punishing drills-at-arms are intended to do much more than train them to face the rigors of combat. It is intended, pure and simple, to instill confidence and pride in being among the most formidable warriors on the planet. Theirs is perhaps the first recorded and genuine esprit de corps. Fiercely independent and throwing off border encroachment and invasion alike, the Spartans, world-class athletes among them, steadfastly defend their beloved homeland and all they value as a people. Like all elite forces they derive strength from an increasingly intensive trial by fire.To this crucible of unstinting hardship and relentless physical and mental demands Spartan knights are born.But there is still more to Pressfield's account of this remarkable breed. In Dienekes, for instance, we witness the early roots of today's military officership. He strikingly embodies those traits of platoon-level leadership about which volumes have been written. Most important among them is leadership by example and the ability to inspire men to overcome their fear and to commit feats of extraordinary daring on the battlefield. Dienekes drills his men in a series of simple actions that when executed as a team (phalanx) ensures their success against a numerically superior, better armed adversary. From those drills comes confidence even when facing the most extreme conditions. We learn that no one will out-train or out-prepare the Spartan warrior. And, of course, it shows at Thermopylae during one of history's most famous last stands.About Dienekes' uncommon leadership Pressfield writes, "A [officer's] job whose primary attribute was self-restraint and self-composure, not for his own sake, but for those whom he led by his example. A job whose objective could be boiled down to the single understatement, as he [Dienekes] did at the Hot Gates on the morning he died, of "performing the commonplace under uncommonplace conditions."Then there is generalship as exhibited by the Spartan King, Leonidas I. He combines a fearless, swashbuckling, lead-from-the-front style with an abounding compassion for his men. He instills in these uncommon warriors a lust for victory and stirs the Spartan ardor to full advantage. At Thermopylae he elicits every last ounce of strength from his elite fighting force, and his charismatic leadership inspires the Spartans' limitless audacity.Finally, resisting the yoke of occupation, a condition from which the birth of many proud democracies springs even still today, is another theme Pressfield quite deftly explores in Gates of Fire. Spartan resistance to Persian subjugation at all costs resonates with every reader and is what continues to keep this captivating story alive after so many centuries. When confronted with the prospect of having to pay homage to a Persian master, Spartan might and sacrifice know no bounds.Gates of Fire clearly deserves a special place among the best contemporary war novels ever written. Among its not inconsiderable competition are Michael Shaara's Killer Angels, Anton Myrer's Once an Eagle, and James Webb's Fields of Fire. Pressfield does for the Spartan warrior-aesthete mystique and the Battle of Thermopylae what other war novelists can only aspire to. More significant for this reader, he illuminates the essence of warriorhood and the qualities of an outstanding leader as well as any author of his generation.Simply Sublime!

I have read 100's of novels of the ancient history genre with equally as many descriptions of battles based on real or imagined events; none come close to the climatic 300 battle in this book. Pressfields prose in the final quarter of the work, is pure silk. Anyone thinking about writing a book, set in ancient times, would learn massively from this work what great prose is. To say so much in so few words, and paint a scene, divulge a persons thought or voice and make them feel as natural as any living soul you'd care to identify with, or impart something so poignant into the readers senses that it sticks long after you close the book shows Pressfields masterclass in this work.But the book is more than a climatic battle great as it is. Its breathes life into the entire Spartan world. This world comes to life through the words of a captured Spartan squire Xeones speaking in the aftermath of battle to Xerxes the Persian King and his hierarchy who have spared him so they may learn more about the mentality, courage and upbringing of a race of men, whose sacrifice has left an indelable impression - if not dent - on the invaders psyche and confidence.The pre 300 battle prose is never more uplifting or inspiring, and witty even than when Pressfields prose raises King Leonidas to give a rousing speech as he does in several scenes. Virtually every character, regardless of size of their contribution to the story is fleshed out and brought to life in 3D detail. The story really flows never meandering or digressing into something irritating or dull. You are either immersed in the Spartans tough lifestyles, the soldiers drill and training regime, their pre 300 battles, or the politics and issues of their state or family life. So well done is it, you feel you are front and center of the meeting, the training, the treks to battle - the works.A negative, if you want to call it that, is that you wont find the Spartans portrayed in any way shape or form different to what would essentially be read as the "stereotypical" view as portrayed in mass media. So if you want a new slant, a new angle to the telling of Spartan way of life and culture, then it might be a bit disappointing. Pressfields Spartans (men and women) are proud, stoic, and almost impossibly immune to physical or mental hardship and suffering. You wont read of people questioning the Kings sanity for wanting to hold the pass at Thermopylae with such a small force, or suggesting a different approach to life or championing the cause of the poor Helots on the basis they deserve a break from getting roughed up. Pressfield leaves that to others to pursue. His are the Spartans of myth - the master race of ancient warfare. Nothing in this work will leave you feeling miffed if that is what you enjoy. Oh and if you are a little sensitive to expletives - as the "F word" gets a good workout in parts then you might find the book a bit eyebrow raising.All-in-all a thorough page turner, absolute classic, and a total and inspirational joy to read and add to ones collection. If anyone needed a book that lifts the spirits and shows what a selfless few can do for a great many, in a time of present day greed and me me'ism then this is the book for you. As a footnote. Pressfield gives plenty of time to the other Greek allies present at Thermopylae with the Spartans such as the 700 Thespians who were given the option to leave before the last day but chose to fight to the last man besides the Spartans. So its not a book thats biased against the several other city state contributors at Thermopylae and in fact they get as much kudos as the Spartans for their efforts in Pressfields telling.