Gates of Fire Audiobook By Steven Pressfield cover art

Gates of Fire

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Gates of Fire

By: Steven Pressfield
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this “powerful, historically accurate novel” (The New Yorker), the sole Spartan survivor recounts the bloody and epic battle of Thermopylae that decimated his fearsome society.

“Vivid and exciting . . . Pressfield gives the reader a perspective no ancient historian offers: a soldier’s-eye view.”—The New York Times Book Review

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. . . . War & Military Historical Fiction Greece Solider Military Fiction Genre Fiction Exciting Thriller & Suspense

Critic reviews

“Vivid and exciting . . . Pressfield gives the reader a perspective no ancient historian offers, a soldier’s-eye view . . . remarkable.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Pressfield’s powerful, historically accurate novel explores Spartan society and the nature of courage without ever losing its narrative momentum.”—New Yorker

“Impressive . . . vivid.”—USA Today

“Majestic . . . monumental . . . epic. . . . A novel that is intricate and arresting and, once begun, almost impossible to put down.”—New York Daily News

“Gates of Fire lives up to its billing as an epic novel. . . . [Pressfield’s] Greeks and Persians come across as the real thing.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Riveting . . . rich with historical detail, hot action and crafty storytelling.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“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 re-create a moment in history with such mastery, authority, and psychological insights.”—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
Historical Authenticity • Powerful Storytelling • Superb Narration • Emotional Depth • Inspiring Themes • Musical Voice

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I had read this in book form and loved the story. Characters that you care about, not just battle narration. Derek Jacobi gives the finest reading I have yet heard in an audio book! Highly recommended.

Great story, wonderful reading!

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tremendous tale from start to finish. true, it doesnt get to the actual battle at themopylae until the back half at least, but its amazing throughout

amazing story

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This book shares many similarities to the recent movie "300"; however, it is better. Covering the same battle at the hot gates of Thermopylae, this version is told by the sole surviving Spartan, Xeo. When Xerxes presses him to tell the story of how 300 Spartans and their allies could hold off his troop numbering over 100,000, Xeo starts at his beginning. He was not originally a Spartan, yet he came to love it and join its army, ultimately getting to fight in this final stand of his comrads. This version explains a great deal of how Sparta was so strong as a nation, as well as why the suicide force was sent to buy time at the gates of Thermopylae. Great battle scenes, terrific suspense, and wonderful storytelling bring this legendary battle to life! Great Job Steven Pressfield!

Better than 300

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Struggled at first with the narrator's accent. Once I got it together, the story flowed much easier. Because I saw the movie, I had to try to disassociate it from the story. I read this because it's on the Commandant's Reading List for my pay grade, but you do not need to be military to appreciate this book. True overall leadership lessons are given, albeit, more profoundly in the latter half. Definitely recommend this book.

Highly Recommended. Don't need to see movie first!

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Love this book - have listened to it several times. Very inspiring !
Great reader as well

Excellent story! Well told

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