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Gates of Fire

An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

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Gates of Fire

Auteur(s): Steven Pressfield
Narrateur(s): George Guidall
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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 Fiction de genre Historique Militaires Thrillers et romans à suspense Fiction Histoire ancienne Grèce antique Science-fiction Grèce Guerre
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I truly enjoyed the immaculate detail and awesome storytelling. A truly epic tale of human struggle, strength and war.

Epic. Visceral. Awesome.

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I admit that I was swayed by a Publishers Summary that implied a more historically accurate depiction/interpretation of the battle of Thermopylae (made famous by the film version of Frank Miller's '300'). Instead, this book is a fictional story about a young Greek who joined the Polis of Sparta after his home was sacked, participated in the battles against the Persians, and describes life, training, and adventures in Sparta in the 4th century BC.
Steven Pressfield's action-heavy offering is a great tale (well-written, populated with interesting characters, plotted reasonably well, with an immersive setting, making some excellent philosophical points about life & death, and including some of the best descriptions of pitched battle I have ever read).. just not what I anticipated. Ben Kane and Bernard Cromwell actually provide similar "man-in-the-trenches" stories more effectively (if less maturely).

George Guidall's narration is similarly overshadowed by the availability of superior readers (I get the impression that Recorded Books Inc. could have cast this project better).
That's not to say that the reading isn't professional.. Guidall delivers a performance with commendable diction, cadence, and tone, but he reads slightly too slowly (listen at 1.15X), and with unimaginative voice-acting (every character sounds similar).
In toto, the recording is "passable".

Altogether, this is a creditable effort from all standpoints. I rate 'Gates Of Fire' 8.5 stars out of 10. I bought the book on sale (and I'm glad I took the chance), but fans of cerebral historical adventure books are warranted in spending a Credit on it.

'More Than Acceptable' Historical Fiction

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Without a doubt one of the most outstanding performances I’ve ever had the privilege to enjoy. The story is constructed so beautifully. I was not expecting such a work of art as this. It captures the moments and the emotions that weave through them. The picture of life in these times is stark and humbling. It makes you realize how lucky those that live in safety and security are. That this is possible is down to men like the Spartans, for they and those like them endure such hardship so they can fight for others. This book is a testament to that.

Remarkable

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I read this book in my early 20s and is still one of the best books I've ever read. it translates to audiobook perfectly.... what a great story.

one of my favs

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Great historical fiction, with a great Narration. The story comes alive to the modern reader but stays true to the characters at their place in history.

A great story and a great performance

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brutal and beautiful.

lessons in lbeing a leader or future and current leaders.

narrator was excellent.

outstanding

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Simply put, this is a superb listen. 5 stars all around. I already somewhat knew the story of the battle of Thermoplae, thanks mostly to the movie The 300, however this book weaves a complelling tale of the Spartan way of life. Seen through the eyes of a Squire, the narrator takes the listener on such a beautifully detailed journey, that one feels transported in time. You get to feel the passions and emotions, the guts and the grit that made up the psyche of the heroes of this battle. I felt compelled to listen... And was left bereft by the end.

I couldn't get enough

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Excellent historical fiction - would recommend. Really well-told story and characters. Excellent narration and glad I listened.

Excellent historical fiction - would recommend

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Brilliantly written and read, I was surprised at how moved I was, since I'm not much being given, generally, to tales of war...but this is so much more than that. Highly recommended.

Utterly engrossing

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If you're looking for a mostly authentic representation of a Spartan soldier's life, this is the book for you. Not only is it a harrowing tale that was clearly crafted with research, but it's a story that takes the events of Thermopalye and ensures they are given the respect they deserve.

The story is told from the perspective of a servant who fought with the Spartans. It chronicles not only his life but the lives of those around him: Freinds, rivals, other servants, and of course, Leonidas. I did my best to empathize with the main character, but the style of narration left me wishing for some more depth. That said, he did embody the elements that made the Spartans so beloved to each other. Still, Leonidas was definitely my favourite of the characters. In this version, he was a fierce warrior but a man who loved his people and his warriors, and who earned their respected tenfold.

The story bounces across its timeline, so I found some elements a little confusing. This is definitely not a casual read, especially given how brutal the subject matter is. It does not shy away from blood or pain, especially near the end, and is written to match the history of the people at the time. Having said that, the writing style was very strong and there were some truly enthralling dialogues throughout.

I definitely feel as though I learned something from this book (if nothing else, you'll learn more creative curses and threats), though it is definitely dense and requires focus. Recommended for history buffs and fans of Spartan lore.

A Dense Historical Read

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