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Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae Audiobook
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(4.00) - 9,171 listener ratings
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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.
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"Perhaps the finest novel of war I have ever held. Pressfield gives us the best perspective of a soldier you may ever find. So moving is the band of brother ship these men possessed it makes men today look weak. The love the men shared is enough to make your eyes tear up. Could not recommend this book more, an epic novel of war and the men who fight for the man next to him"
— Ryan (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Steven Pressfield brings the battle of Thermopylae to brilliant life, and he does for that war what Charles Frazier did for the Civil War in Cold Mountain.”
— Pat Conroy -
“An incredibly gripping, moving, and literate work of art. Rarely does an author manage to recreate a moment in history with such mastery, authority, and psychological insight.”
— Nelson DeMille -
“A timeless epic of man and war...Pressfield has created a new classic deserving of a place beside the very best of the old.”
— Stephen Coonts -
“Gripping and swashbuckling...an exciting, romantic, star-crossed story.”
— New York Times -
“An epic novel...the real thing.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“A novel that is intricate and arresting and, once begun, almost impossible to put down.”
— New York Daily News -
“Monumental...[a story] told with extraordinary authority and insight.”
— Fort Worth Star-Telegram -
“Pressfield’s imaginative and gory rendering of the combat is compelling, and his prose is clear and accessible.”
— Sunday Times (London) -
“With a sound grasp of strategy and an ex-infantryman’s understanding of comradeship and its grim wit, Steven Pressfield adds color and a credible cast of soldiers and their wives to the historians’ accounts. I couldn’t put it down.”
— Daily Telegraph (London) -
“Pressfield’s powerful, historically accurate novel explores Spartan society and the nature of courage without ever losing its narrative momentum.”
— New Yorker -
“Pressfield’s descriptions of war are breathtaking in their immediacy.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Rich with historical detail, hot action, and crafty storytelling, Pressfield’s riveting story reveals the social and political framework of Spartan life—ending with the hysteria and brutality of the spear-thrusting, shield-bashing clamor that defined a Spartan’s relationship with his family, community, country, and fellow warriors.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Guidall’s voice has an antiquated quality, a timeless weightiness that gives gravity to his readings. All of this makes the historic novel one of his strongest formats, a point amply made in this performance.”
— AudioFile -
“Fast-paced blending of ethnology, romance, human insight, and military science...Highly recommended.”
— Booklist -
“Pressfield weaves a fascinating tale of valor, fear, comradeship, and a courage that takes a handful of warriors beyond human frailty into immortality. An unforgettable novel.”
— Library Journal -
“A triumph in historical fiction.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Gates of Fire Listener Reviews
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" I just remember this being good, even if there aren't any naked hotties. "
— Kristina, 2/18/2014 -
" This and The Journeyer are two of the best books I've ever read. Not just military history, there's also a love story and heroism. "
— Ray, 2/8/2014 -
" on page 388!!!----Really awesome.some confusion, but when read over.made sense.-very quotable.many good lines.-you really geta different perspective of the spartans then what they are made out to be from the athenian point of view. "
— Kelly, 1/31/2014 -
" It was a good book although it took me a while to get into the narration style. "
— Wullie, 1/31/2014 -
" Excellent depiction of ancient Greece. Intense scenes of hand-to-hand combat. Well-written, his world comes to life. "
— Rick, 1/28/2014 -
" A really good book about the Spartans and their lifestyle. Closely related to the movie 300. "
— Budlandis, 1/13/2014 -
" I can't wait for the movie "300". I know it's based on Frank Miller's (did I get the dude's name right?) illustrated novel. But who cares? "
— John, 1/10/2014 -
" Bill recommended this book to me because I was out of things to read. It has been interesting thus far if you can get past the violence of the Spartans as a whole. Not a bad book but not my favorite either. "
— Kari, 11/25/2013 -
" Definitely in the top 5 books I have ever read. When asked for books on leadership and leadership development, I invariably point folks to this one. You don't have to be an expert on Ancient Greece to appreciate, and it fleshes out the conventional sources (ie Herodotus) very well. "
— Ben, 11/1/2013 -
" It was slow moving in the beginning but I did enjoy the read. "
— Yvonne, 10/4/2013 -
" This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. While it was a little violent at times, I found the historical aspects and storyline very interesting. I literally couldn't put it down. "
— Elizabeth, 9/3/2013 -
" The movie and graphic novel 300 is based on this story. The book, an early trainer in the techniques of war, is a must for those who don't mind a bit of carnage. "
— Zed, 9/2/2013 -
" I read this for a Greek history class. It certainly brought the event more to life, and I liked his use of quotes from ancient legends about the battle. However, Pressfield's writing style was long winded and trite. "
— Laurel, 7/28/2013 -
" Really good. Didn't care for the jarring POV shifts but really enjoyed this. "
— Tim, 6/30/2013 -
" I picked out this book because the film 300 had intested me in the subject of the spartan army and their battle against the Persians. Although this is a fictional tale, a lot of research has been put into it so it felt like I was getting the best of both fiction and non-fiction worlds. "
— Hugo, 5/26/2013 -
" Fabulous story. Incredible morals to contemplate. Some rough language "
— Paige, 5/23/2013 -
" Quite simply one of the best books i have ever read. "
— Kenny, 4/6/2013 -
" Made me cry :) Great book. I wish they would've done this movie instead of 300! "
— Kaala, 3/9/2013 -
" I was supposed to be learning educational leadership from this book since it was used for a teacher's book group. I'm not sure it really served that purpose, but it was a good read. "
— Julie, 1/5/2013 -
" If you're a fan of Ancient Greek history, military history or just good historical novels, then put Pressfield's Gates of Fire at the top of your TBR. Brilliant book and I can't believe it took me 13 years to read it. I can't wait to read Tides of War next. "
— Mike, 11/15/2012 -
" A very interesting perspective of the battle of Thermopolae because it centers on the people and their customs instead of the battle aspect for the sake of blood and gore. "
— Allie, 11/15/2012 -
" good book gave a more relistic account of thermopyle. "
— Durwood, 11/11/2012 -
" I read this book based on a recommendation. I was pleasantly suprised. Overall I enjoyed the book. It was very descriptive and the characters were well made. I just wasn't too interested in the whole war aspect. "
— Josephine, 7/22/2012 -
" Inspiring and informative. I really enjoyed the intricate stories and detailed characters, both of which made it more powerful when characters were called upon to sacrifice. "
— Bronson, 7/21/2012 -
" Violence was too disturbing for me, but the story seemed to be really great. Couldn't get into the book though because I was completely grossed out. "
— Kim, 7/15/2012 -
" It was good, not perfect, but entertaining and a fresh way to look at Spartan society and its role in the events at Thermopylae -- through the eyes of a slave. "
— Spencer, 4/15/2012 -
" An outstanding, human and moving account of the battle of Thermopylae, from the perspective of a freed Spartan slave. "
— Hotspur, 2/24/2012
About Steven Pressfield
Steven Pressfield is the author of the hugely successful novels Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and Last of the Amazons, among others. His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was made into a major motion picture starring Matt Damon and Will Smith in 2000. He lives in California.
About George Guidall
George Guidall, winner of more than eighty AudioFile Earphones Awards, has won three of the prestigious Audie Award for Excellence in Audiobook Narration. In 2014 the Audio Publishers Association presented him with the Special Achievement Award for lifetime achievement/ During his thirty-year recording career he has recorded over 1,700 audiobooks, won multiple awards, been a mentor to many narrators, and shown by example the potential of fine storytelling. His forty-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie Award for best performance off Broadway, and frequent television appearances.