Very long read, but incredible nonetheless. Very detailed and very realistic protrayal of this point in history. Steven Pressfield is starting to become one of my favorite writers.

This book covered an interesting subject matter and was written in a unique style, but fir me it was a rather difficult read and unsatisfying. Half the time I did not know who was the storyteller. I wish the author would have done a better job explaining who was talking in each chapter so I would know what was going on in the book. I feel like I wasted my many many hours reading this book. In addition there were so many words that were not known to anyone on this earth that the meaning of many sentences was lost to me.

An unexpected tale of Alchiviadis character. I liked the way Pressfield gave the man a more human approach rather the legendary general we all have heard about. I expected a narrative based on Plato's Symposium though.

I love Alcibiades as a historical figure and I did enjoy this more sympathetic view of him and his motivations. A lot of writers and historians are too negative or dismissive perhaps. I think he was more nuanced or deserves a little more consideration, so this book was great in that aspect. That said, I couldn't help wishing every few pages that this was a novel written from his POV or that it had a consistent narrator versus this story being focused around Polemides, who I never learned to care about, and multiple narrators overall.

The best part of the book probably wasn't even about Alcibiades (for a man as cool as he was, he didn't have many powerful first-hand moments in this) but Socrates reciting Jason's speech near the end. That was a great few pages.

I loved this book. Of the three Pressfield books I've read, I think this is my favorite, quite simply because of the character of Alcibiades. The idea that such a character may have existed in reality is an enticing and exciting thought, and his journey from Athenian general to Spartan advisor to Persian courtier reads like some sort of war time Jack Sparrow adventure set in ancient Greece. The character's tragic end felt very earned, as someone this larger than life can't simply retire, and the meta commentary running through the story about war being the end, rather than the means, of the society in which our protagonists live, was compelling in a very dark sort of way.

This is one of those weird books which I really want to like but just can’t. It’s overly ambitious in scope, losing the story in trying to encapsulate all of the incredible events and personalities of the pelopennesian war. Too often you’re scratching your head wondering what’s going on. Pressfield writes engaging characters and has the feel for the era, but this story would have been better served focusing on a narrower timeline. The Syracuse expedition alone is enough for a thrilling read!

Story about 27 years long war between Sparta and Athens and their respective allies, told from a perspective of an Athenian mercenary Polemides and centered around charismatic figure of Athenian statesman Alchibiades.

The book is not as good as The Gates of Fire but it has it's charms, especially is you're interested in the period.

Nope. This sadly was not my book at all. I cannot believe that I give only two stars to the author who wrote the absolutely fantastic and ground breaking gates of hell. Also the book about amazons was really good. But this here? After a third of the book I skipped large parts. This is too political for me. Also some parts are told in great length and others just dealt with in a few pages. I did not like all that philosophical banter, the pages and pages of recounting of some speeches made. It was a tiresome book. I value the research and love pressfield has for Greek history. But this book should have been half in length and much more to the point. Some people might enjoy all the politics and intrigues, but I did not.

Steven Pressfield tells the story of the heroes of war in ancient Greece with considerable skill and a sense for the detail and ambiance of the time in his book Tides of War. The story is told by Jason, who is defending both Socrates and Polemides, the man who is accused of murdering Alcibiades.
In many ways this tragic story is one of great insight regarding the role heroes of the day play in our lives. Alcibiades, a leading general of Greece, was vastly influential in the tides of the Peloponnesian War in which Athens and Sparta struggled for superiority in the ancient world. Alcibiades was a gifted and moving spokesman who embodied all that was considered beautiful at the time. He was a gifted sportsman and with his magnetic presence could easily sway his peers in wartime and peace. During times of peace he had great gusto for living and few scruples. In wartime Alcibiades willingly took the risks necessary to secure victory. He chose his sides by necessity and his loyalty was often in question.

Pressfield deftly manages to both educate and entertain. Tides of War is both a history and a novel of some insight about war and soldiers. Polemides brother, Lion is presented as a man of great integrity. Lion states "I was taught as a boy that a goddess resides there, silent, in that sanctuary at the pinnacle of pain. This goddess's name is Victory." Pressfield is gifted in presenting the world of the soldier in both language and character in a way that brings realism and authenticity to the work.

For those in search of a quick and entertaining read, it may be best to avoid the Tides of War. It is a detailed book that takes quite effort and time to devour in its entirety. For those who have the stamina to stick to it, you will be rewarded.

As a historical novel, I found Tides good reading and tremendously filled with facts. Several times I continued my research around key characters. The style was different enough that it provided a linguistic environment suitable for the era. All in all, though, a sad sale.,

I wish I loved reading it as much as he enjoyed writing it. Just too much and not enough at the same time. I like his other works much more.

The Tides of War by Steven Pressfield
 
Following the reading of another of Pressfield's books, I wanted to see his historical fiction take on the Peloponnesian War. 
 
This book focuses on a few character's point of view, which each revolve around the War itself and of the statesman, orator, and general, Alcibiades. Alcibiades played a major role during this period, so was nice to fill in more details about his back and forth with his allegiances. 
 
Overall, as much as I want to recommend it, it does not match the same level that Gates of Fire did. I was looking to be more immersed in the world of Ancient Greece and Athens and it didn't get me to that point. 
 
I do have to admit, the first 100-120 pages took some ploughing through for me to get in the environment of it. This book does mention a lot of different names popping up, which came with little to no back story of person mentioned. There is a chance, that if I wasn't looking to fill the gap of knowledge on Alcibiades' life I would have put the book down. However, it picked up about half way through and I was able to enjoy the second part of the book.