MartialSportsGear.com - Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
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List Price: $15.00
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Manufacturer: Bantam
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780553383683
ISBN: 055338368X
Label: Bantam
Manufacturer: Bantam
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 400
Publication Date: 2005-09-27
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: 2005-09-27
Studio: Bantam
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Editorial Reviews:
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The national bestseller!
At Thermopylae, a rocky mountain pass in northern Greece, the feared and admired Spartan soldiers stood three hundred strong. Theirs was a suicide mission, to hold the pass against the invading millions of the mighty Persian army.
Day after bloody day they withstood the terrible onslaught, buying time for the Greeks to rally their forces. Born into a cult of spiritual courage, physical endurance, and unmatched battle skill, the Spartans would be remembered for the greatest military stand in history--one that would not end until the rocks were awash with blood, leaving only one gravely injured Spartan squire to tell the tale....
From the Paperback edition.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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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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