Soldiers are philosophers by trade, as opposed to nature. Whether they are gifted logicians or readers or not, their profession demands a close association with death and life, fear and courage, love and hate, joy and sorrow. A soldier gets acquainted with these, not as abstract ideas, but as intimate realities which are a part of the day-to-day environment.

When faced with such larger-than-life concepts, though, words often fail, no matter how important or meaningful a place they hold in every day life. I've tried once or twice to put some of this/these into words myself, because I felt a need to share with people outside my line of work just what it is that goes through our heads. We service-folk aren't mythical or demonic, we aren't legendary or infamous, we are neither "The Greatest Generation," nor the worst. But having tried to communicate something of what I've seen and felt, I realize now just why so many who served so honorably chose to remain so silent as to their experiences.

This book, Gates of Fire, says all of those things I couldn't say.

As you may guess, the book centers upon the Battle of Thermopylae, the same subject as the movie 300. As you read through the book, you will see why that movie treated it the way it did. The heroism on display at that time in that place makes any comic book superhero look silly by comparison; it's only natural that Leonidas & Co. should have their own line of action figures. Seriously.

But the book goes further than just the names, dates, and places; it is not "history" in the strictest sense, though it strives for such accuracy as historical records can offer. More so Gates of Fire delves into the why and the wherefore: why did these men go, knowing they would die? how were they able to stand and fight knowing that eventually they would be butchered where they stood? what could possibly have motivated the greatest "Alamo" the world has ever known? The book excels in this effort, bringing the concepts of the heroic into terms that the average reader can immediately grasp, or at least imagine.

The book also shows quite graphically the scenes of warfare. As one seasoned veteran asks a shaken youngster "What did you expect? What sort of wounds did you suppose the sword and spear would cause?" But it also shows in painful detail the moments of poignancy: the moments spent at home with loved ones, carved indelibly into the soldiers' hearts; the moments after the battle when soldiers realize they have survived the carnage to live once again; the unbelievable courage of the families they leave behind.

I have never marched in a phalanx with spear and shield. I have never truly closed with the enemy, or grappled with him in anger. But if you want to know what a soldier thinks, lives, and feels, read this book. The times and technologies have changed, but the principles have really not. Thank you, Mr. Pressfield for writing this.

"Tell the Spartans, stranger passing by,
that here obedient to their laws we lie."

Good authors are often graced with one great book. 'Gates of Fire' is Pressfield's henosis. It is lyrical, compelling, thought provoking, and soars above most works of historical fiction (at least those that shrug in the mud of military historical fiction). Like most of Pressfield's work, 'Gates of Fire' deals with the common soldier, the grunt, the squire. His narrative is informed by a people's history of Greek history. For me, the most surprising aspect of 'Gates of Fire' was the nuance Pressfield's gave to Spartan women.

If I sound too enraptured, too possesssed, I apologize. I am sure that there are faults in this novel, but they are few and mostly irrelevant. Pressfield wasn't aiming for 'War and Peace', he wasn't trying to capture the flag of high literature. His goal was more humble, but he more than won it.

I read this entertaining 1998 historical novel, which glorifies the ancient military dictatorship of Sparta, in part because it cost only $7.99 for a Kindle download. Then I realized that I couldn't write a coherent review of it, because I still, in spite of the intervening years, am an incandescent tower of blistering but impotent rage at the senseless loss of life and treasure which resulted from the blunderings of the George W. Bush administration in the Middle East in the first decade of this century. This rage colored my every word and thought. It's not the book's fault that some people seemed to view it as a justification of the U.S.A.'s bumbling militarism. I'll try to write a review of this book sometime when I've calmed down, maybe in 20 years.

later

OK, I've taken some medication and had a nice lie down.

Why bother to read books? After all, there's no money in reading, and it will not help you to obtain a fashionably well-developed musculature. I don't understand why other people read books, but then again, I don't understand why people do pretty much everything, including but not limited to going to flea markets, voting for defenders of the rights of the well-to-do, and having interest in the lives of movie stars, to name just a few.

I read books because my mental picture of myself is a piece of meat in a cage. I am a prisoner, stuck like a bug in amber in a class, time, space, nationality, residence, psychology, and function. I often flatter myself that my place in the world is of my own choosing but it is really the result of forces which were in motion long before I was born and will continue to influence the world long after everyone's forgotten that I ever lived. Animated with that cheerful thought, I wonder if life appears this way to everyone else. Many people seem to be acting and behaving very differently from me, most relevantly, in this case, soldiers. Since it is not yet possible to engage in Matrix-like entry into soldiers' consciousnesses, the closest that I can get to understanding why soldiers act so completely different from me is to read books about them.

It's still difficult for me to understand why anyone would willingly ignore the pointless bullying, the tedious machismo, the cynical grasping and snatching after pathetic shreds of power, and the sheer unadulterated lunacy (all adequately portrayed in this novel) that seem to invariably accompany military life. However, I think that I caught while reading this book certain glimpses of a rationale, if something mostly disconnected from reason can still be called a “rationale”.

Why get up in the morning? Why take one route to work and not the other? Why order a croissant and not a banana nut muffin? Why do a good job at work when a crummy job will suffice? Why sit? Why stand? Why write a review for Goodreads that three people may read instead of, say, listening to Alma Cogan sing “Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo” on Youtube for the umptee-umpth time?

When you are a part of a team, any team, it helps everything else to make sense. If you are part of a fighting team, life not only makes sense, but you have a purpose as well. You get up in the morning, you have a place to go. It makes a difference whether you shine your shoes. There's a right way to lay your shield on the ground, and a wrong way. You have friends and colleagues to admire, and to be admired by. You can't let them down by staying home on the couch and watching reruns of “America's Next Top Model”, because you promised to be at hoplite formation drills. You are a nobly small part of a fine upstanding tradition, without which the Persians would overrun civilization, leaving us to wallow in our own filth while listening to goateed Brooklyn hipsters complain about the deficit of adequate post-apocalyptic arugula.

I guess it's just about time for another dose of medication.

Before I join the line at the nurse's window, I'd like to say that reading this book about people with a purpose was a worthwhile use of time, but I'm not sure that present-day people who read this book and see their purpose reflected in the life and achievements of the Spartans actually understand the Spartans, or themselves.

Easily in my Top 3 of his-fic.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest books ever written. Every page, every word feels as if it is a part of something truly special. The history, the characters, the philosophy and the heartbreak amounted to the perfect book.

Gates of Fire is easily my book of the year so far, and I find it difficult to imagine I’ll be reading a better book in the next few months. The Brothers Gwynne have been raving about this book for a while now, and I finally gave in, as I had a few extra days left over this month after finishing my usual TBR. More booktubers need to read and review this book. It is, quite simply, excellent.

It’s been a good year for historical fiction in general, as far as my reading goes. The best series I’ve read this year has been The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell, a retelling of the Arthurian Legend. Gates of Fire is a standalone, and is the tale of 300 – King Leonidas and the valiant Spartans who held the line at the Battle of Thermopylae against the ruthless invading army of King Xerxes’ Persians.

We learn about the story of the Spartans from Xeones, a survivor of the battle who is captured by the Persians. He narrates his tale to King Xerxes and his historian. It is a tale of hardship, loss, and sacrifice, but one that inspires greatly. It is also a tale of valour, stoicism, and honour.

The author's prose is brilliant, and every single character is memorable. A bit like Bernard Cornwell’s tale of Arthur, you know the basics, but can’t help reading page after page anyway. There was not a single page where I got bored, not a single page which the book would be better off without. This is an absolute page turner, and of the hardest books to put down. A story that will stay with you for a long long time, if not forever.

I’ve read books by authors who write absolute top tier battle scenes – Bernard Cornwell, of course, Joe Abercrombie, John Gwynne, Steven Erikson, to name a few. But Steven Pressfield might just be my new favourite.

An absolute masterpiece, and highest possible recommendation.

Ένα βιβλίο πραγματικός θησαυρός! Στίβεν Πρέσσφιλντ, ο σύγχρονος Ομηρικός συγγραφέας.

n  BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynnen
n  My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynnen

Gates of Fire is one of the most extraordinary books I have ever read. This is a book about friendship, camaraderie, purpose, sacrifice, fear and love. It is a book that examines the human condition, exploring three themes through a cast of incredibly vivid characters who each leap off of the page with a feeling of authenticity. It is, simply put, one of a kind.

“The hardship of the exercises is intended less to strengthen the back than to toughen the mind. The Spartans say that any army may win while it still has its legs under it; the real test comes when all strength is fled and the men must produce victory on will alone.”

Gates of Fire tells the tale of Thermopyalae. How a small number of Spartans and allies historically stood against the hordes of the Persian Empire at "The Hot Gates". This is told as a chronicle, by a survivor of the battle, so that they are recounting their own small role in this landmark and history-changing battle as well as the roles of those around him. It is a coming of age story as we learn how our narrator found himself in this position, from his childhood to the battle itself.

“Fear conquers fear. This is how we Spartans do it, counterpoising to fear of death a greater fear: that of dishonour. Of exclusion from the pack.”

Despite of course already knowing how Thermopalae ends, Pressfield still manages to craft a story filled with such tension and immersion. He uses this dramatic irony masterfully, manipulating our emotions as we swiftly become immersed in this world and the concepts it is circulating. If you feel hesitant to read this for fear of the end having no payoff, please reconsider. It has one of the most powerful endings I have had the pleasure to read.

This is a character driven story. It is about what drives us as individuals, and how important friendship is. It looks at the power of being a part of something greater than itself, and it discusses these philosophical topics in such a natural and organic way. It comes straight from our characters, so that these themes do not detract from the story, but are used to enhance our emotion and understanding of the cast of characters.

“As all born teachers, he was primarily a student.”

Gates of Fire is such a brilliant book. It is about comradeship, belonging, sacrifice and love. The way Steven Pressfield tells this story has such an enchanting quality about it. It is written masterfully. But that magical quality does not detract from the brutality and horror that is also shared within these pages. We see moments of absolute virtue, to those of a despicable nature. But all of these are captivating, and amalgamates to create one of the best books I have ever read. Some of the best moments in any book. Some of the best characters. One of the best premises. All comes together to form a story that is truly masterful, in every way.

My brother and I talk about Gates of Fire on our channel... The Brothers Gwynne

rating: 5/5 (more like 4.75 but I'll round)

The story didn't really grip me (although it was still interesting)until the last 3 books (the novel is split into 8 "books" or sections), which were filled with jaw droppingly amazing battle and camp scenes from Thermopylae. I am a sucker for well written battles and soldier camaraderie and this was it, one of the best I've read so far.

It was filled with a ton of historical accuracy, from the events to the historical people and through battle techniques, Spartan battle training and laws, through to how ancient Greece looked, felt, and even smelled. The description and details were captivating.

The character development was good as well, I fell in love with Xeo and his telling of Alexandros, Dienekes, Leonidas, Suicide, Polynikes, and others.

However, the story was told by Xeo, looking retroactively at the battle and the lives of the Spartans, as told to the Persian Great King Xerxes and involved jumping through time in a non-linear fashion. It also included some notes from a Persian historian, as if he were recording the story and happenings currently, post Battle of Thermopylae. I understand why the author made those choices, there were things that Xeo couldn't witness and an understanding we could only get from a Persian POV. I get it. Still, it served to drag me away from the story and my emotional involvement with it, and sometimes even caused confusion as to the timeline. The disruption wasn't terrible but it was enough to strip this novel of its potential to be one of my all-time favorites.

Despite this, it was still amazing, brilliant, and breathtaking; a worthy read and one of the better ones on ancient Greece. I would recommend it to everyone, especially those that love historically accurate detail and ancient military history, tactics, and battles.

This is a story about one of the most interesting cultures and one of the most spectacular battles of the ancient world. And yet the book somehow managed to undermine all of that. This is a laborious read. It's heavy on detail that bogs down the story line (as well as the historical context itself) and tortured sentence structure. I finally quit on this book 36% of the way through it (according to my Kindle) after reading the following phrase:

Nonetheless I might, without violating the sanctity of the law, yet vouchsafe to her, a mother understandably concerned about her son's welfare and future, some indication, if not the precise words and actions of the aforesaid event, then perhaps some portion of its tone and flavor.

Wait, what? Yeah, I'm out.

The qualities of a good battle squire are simple enough. He must be dumb as a mule, numb as a post and obedient as an imbecile. In these qualifications, Xeones of Astakos, I declare your credentials impeccable.

This is how Xeones, one of the main characters of the book, is described at some time in the story. Ironically the entire book revolves around this helot character who ends up being an eye witness of the battle of Thermopylae. The book itself tries to be an historical reference intercalated with a fictional plot. The use of Greek words in their Anglicized form makes the atmosphere of the book even more credible but sometimes this could confuse the reader. As an example take “katalepsis “ who according to the author means: ‘possession, meaning that derangement of the senses that comes when terror or anger usurps dominion of the mind’. The problem was that I knew the word to mean grasp or comprehension but who knows may be it is a homonym.

The story is complex and engaging, the characters credibly portrayed and the environment vividly described. But the dialogs are the ones which make the book entertaining. The combined extrospection and introspection of each character which is exteriorized through words tries to be deep and profound but at the same time laconic as the Spartans usually like it:

- Answer this, Alexandros. When our countrymen triumph in battle, what is it that defeats the foe?
- Our steel and our skill.
- These, yes but something more. It is that …
- Fear, their own fear defeats our enemies
- Now answer. What is the source of fear?
(no response)
-Fear arises from this: the flesh. This is the factory of fear.

At the same time the book exposes the difference between the cultures of some ancient Greek city-states. For example the oligarchic Sparta is compared with the democratic Athena so that the Spartan way of leaving is better contoured. At some time one can even perceive a cult of personality created around one of their original law makers Lycurgus:

We have embraced the laws of Lykurgus, and they are stern laws. They have schooled us to scorn the life of leisure, which this rich land of ours would bestow upon us if we wished, and instead to enrol ourselves in the academy of discipline and sacrifice.

And which is more they see themselves different from the others because they think they found a way to overcome some of the flows of the human being usually by having 3 main principles: peer equality, military discipline and austerity. In their opinion the human character is by default corrupt:

Man is weak, greedy, craven, lustful, prey to every species of vice and depravity. He will lie, steal, cheat, murder, melt down the very statues of the gods and coin their gold as money for whores. This is man. This is his nature, as all the poets attest.

Because their society is built on some form of military philosophy most of the males are trained, early in their lives, to be soldiers through a program called agoge. They realize that in order to have the best army the need some principles to breed one. So they start at the roots, the babies.

After birth the babies are thoroughly scrutinized and if they don’t fit the pattern they are left to die. This cruel way of filtering can be easily viewed as an early form of eugenics and is mostly missing from the book. (at least don’t remember it )

But to have strong offspring in the first place they believe they need strong mothers. In order to achieve this they tolerate a wider independence level for females than it’s usually seen in the other Greek poleis( city-states). Spartan women are also encouraged to walk through the city or do gymnastics:

They were dams, these ladies, wives and mothers whose primary calling was to produce boys who would grow to be warriors and heroes, defenders of the city. Spartan women were brood mares, the pampered damsels of other cities might scoff, but if they were mares, they were racers, Olympic champions. The athletic glow and vigour which the gynaikagoge, the women’s training discipline, produced in them was powerful stuff and they knew it.

Religion is an absolutely important aspect of their society and to be somehow agnostic or even an atheist is rarely seen. This is superbly presented at some time in the book :

Dekton was the first person I had ever met, man or boy, who had absolutely no fear of the gods. He didn’t hate them as some do, or mock their antics as I had heard the impious freethinkers did in Athens and Corinth. Dekton didn’t grant their existence at all. There were no gods, it was as simple as that. This struck me with a kind of awe. I kept watch, waiting for him to be felled by some hideous blow of heaven.

In the end the book turned out to be an incredible ride through the first part of the second Persian invasion of Greece. Because of the historical references and the emotion behind the brother-in-arms phenomenon it can’t be easily forgotten. Ironically the “few stand against many “ concept reflected at Thermopylae blends perfectly with their oligarchical (Spartan) system, where oligarchy means: power in the hands of the few. But we are lead to believe that this few really deserve it

A king does not abide within his tent while his men bleed and die upon the field. A king does not dine while his men go hungry, nor sleep when they stand at watch upon the wall. A king does not command his men’s loyalty through fear nor purchase it with gold; he earns their love by the sweat of his own back and the pains he endures for their sake. That which comprises the harshest burden, a king lifts first and sets down last. A king does not require service of those he leads but provides it to them. He serves them, not they him.

One of the two best standalone books that I’ve ever read so far; this is truly historical fiction at its finest.

Lancelot by Giles Kristian was an amazing standalone and now, I’ve found Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. I’m starting to feel that historical fiction is the right genre to visit when I’m looking for amazing standalone books. In my opinion, both Lancelot and Gates of Fire achieved what I think at this point is impossible to find in SFF (my favorite genre) books: a standalone masterpiece. With fiery temerity, I’m not even afraid to claim these two as the best standalone books out of every genre I’ve ever read so far.

I could try to tell you all the incredible building blocks that make up this book and warrant these high praises but believe me that I will fail. Let me instead try to constrict my review to two factors: the philosophical content and the prose.

n  n   

“The hardship of the exercises is intended less to strengthen the back than to toughen the mind. The Spartans say that any army may win while it still has its legs under it; the real test comes when all strength is fled and the men must produce victory on will alone.”

n  n

If I’m not mistaken, Gates of Fire is on the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Reading list. This shouldn’t come as a surprise because the philosophical content in this book is simply a jaw-dropping, resonating masterpiece. I’ve never been a soldier or marine, and I sure as hell don’t want to become one; the fear that would come with enlisting would probably make me shit myself to death. I’m always disgusted at the atrocities that humans can do to each other in the times of war. Ironically, wars also bring into focus how amazing and inspiring humanity can be. This book counters the fear and terror of war with perseverance, strength, and flaming resilience. Despite not being a soldier, I do believe that there are tons of incredibly positive messages you can get from reading this book. For example, the Spartans’ valorous attitude in the face of dominance and tyranny is something that's truly worth adapting to your life.

These results were possible only because of Pressfield’s usage of language. The prose was evocative and powerful, capable of igniting a variety of emotions. Pressfield also truly dived into the philosophy and psychology of the Spartans extremely well. Every word—even when they were info dumping—is imbued with a savage gravitational pull that utterly gripped me. Every scene was important in order to reach the culmination found in the final sections of the book, which was awe-inspiring.

Pressfield’s portrayal on The Battle of Thermopylae captured the power and strength of the Spartans. Told in vivid details that seems to transport all your senses into the book, you’ll feel the battle, tragedy, doom, and hope unfolding right in front of your eyes. You won’t be able to stop reading about the savage nature of humanity as it inflicts devastation and the counter method employed by the Spartans. I’m serious, these Spartans in a phalanx formation were a combination of almost literal demigods; functioning together with the same beating heart to become a windmill of death and defending their compatriots while killing anyone who approached them. A kindling ember of hope was lit by the 300 Spartans from the battle that results in a deluge of blood in the gates of fire, turning flesh and blood into gifts for Hades. This battle eventually would become the turning point for a future victory against the Persians and I enjoyed every moment of reading this book.

Picture: The Battle of Thermopylae



Suffice it to say that Gates of Fire has become one of the best escapism experiences I’ve ever had in my life. Don’t let the tragedy stop you from reading this book, because beneath the gores and battle, the nature of this book was hopeful and inspiring. There were myriads of incredibly positive messages in this book and I’ll definitely let them become a part of me as I move forward in my life.

Read this book and adapt the Spartans’ unconquerable strength and wisdom. Read this book at the risk of being invigorated, and adapt the Spartans’ valorous attitude. Read this book when you want to defeat Phobos (fear) and know in the end that strength in camaraderie, love, and good leadership always have a lot of power to pull you out of tough situations. I’m closing this review with one quote about leadership, it’s a bit long but trust me that you won’t regret reading it.

n  n   

“A king does not abide within his tent while his men bleed and die upon the field. A king does not dine while his men go hungry, nor sleep when they stand at watch upon the wall. A king does not command his men's loyalty through fear nor purchase it with gold; he earns their love by the sweat of his own back and the pains he endures for their sake. That which comprises the harshest burden, a king lifts first and sets down last. A king does not require service of those he leads but provides it to them...A king does not expend his substance to enslave men, but by his conduct and example makes them free.”

n  n

You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest

4,5* είχα ακούσει τρομερές κριτικές γιαυτό το βιβλίο και δεν μπορούσα να επικεντρωσω τι ήταν αυτό που είχε ενθουσιάσει τόσο πολύ κόσμο.... Δεν είναι οι περιγραφές της μάχης... Είναι όλο το πακέτο... Σε κάποια σημεία πιάνεις μυρωδιές άσχημες από πτώματα.. Δεν σου χαρίζεται αυτό το βιβλίο... Το ζεις μέσα στην φρίκη και το παράλογο του πολέμου... Δεν είναι ιστορικό είναι η ψυχολογία του θανάτου που έρχεται με φόντο ένα Λαμπρό δείγμα ανδρείας από την αρχαία ιστορία μας...δύσκολο βιβλίο... Επιλεγετε το μόνο συνειδητά