Gates of Fire - Book Review - Steven Pressfield

In this video, I review a classic of Historical Fiction, Gates of Fire. This retelling of the battle of Thermopylae has accompanied me into a two weeks quarantine, and let's just say it has given me a strong impression. Good or bad, that's what I will discuss here.

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[mrd]

I recycled Ranger school and read this book during my two weeks before I restarted it. I read it in probably 3 days. It gave me a ton of motivation and in the end it worked.

[altercell_]

I love this book. I had to read this book in the marine corps as part of the required reading for a unit i was in. It really grasps the warrior ethos and offers a very entertaining and philosophical viewpoint of the time and place, as well as the lifestyle, costumes and courtesies of the Spartan warriors and their ways. Ironically, i was in Japan for specialized training when i read and finished the book as well! It’s been awhile, though! Great review.

[markmmmm]

My favorite book. I read it right before I joined the Marines. It impacted my leadership style as humility and stoicism were so valued by Spartans.

[IamBuffal]

It's always been one of my top 10 favorite books. I read it as a teenager, it helped me when things were tough and I needed a warrior outlook on life.

[JordanEvansMusic]

I really enjoyed the book (just finished reading) the time jumps did make it really challenging to follow along. The philosophical conversations really are the best part of the story. It also seemed like there were some continuity issues. Like how his hands were crippled in his crucifixion but by the end of the book and during his training his hands seem perfectly fine.

[AlanGrandman]

Agree with you that the philosophy was the most engaging aspect of the book. I just shared some thoughts on the book on my channel diving into the philosophy.

[neobogard]

I tried to read this well over ten year ago and stopped because of the historical inaccuracies such as the Spartans being emotionally connected to their war with the Persians by feeling sorry for them and pulling their bodies to the side of the road.

I know it's fictional but distorting special aspects of the characters/groups away from what made them special is pushing it imo. Warriors never felt sorry for anyone during battle, especially Spartans who were a war tribe who wanted nothing but the destruction of Persians and were delighted in seeing their enemies destroyed.

But saying that I do remember enjoying most of what I read and thinking about picking it up again.

[danielkinus]

Fantastic book, read it when i served in the IDF.

[martinidry]

The Battle of Thermopylae IS described in tremendous detail. Combat IS depicted on a kevel that goes. The US Marine officer training academy put the book as a compulsory primer.
The main protagonist is described in rich detail.

You are a very bad reviewer.