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Tides of War
- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs
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Tides of War
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Summary
Brilliant at war, a master of politics, and a charismatic lover, Alcibiades was Athens’ favorite son and the city’s greatest general.
A prodigal follower of Socrates, he embodied both the best and the worst of the Golden Age of Greece. A commander on both land and sea, he led his armies to victory after victory.
But like the heroes in a great Greek tragedy, he was a victim of his own pride, arrogance, excess, and ambition. Accused of crimes against the state, he was banished from his beloved Athens, only to take up arms in the service of his former enemies.
For nearly three decades, Greece burned with war and Alcibiades helped bring victories to both sides - and ended up trusted by neither.
Narrated from death row by Alcibiades’ bodyguard and assassin, a man whose own love and loathing for his former commander mirrors the mixed emotions felt by all Athens, Tides of War tells an epic saga of an extraordinary century, a war that changed history, and a complex leader who seduced a nation.
Critic reviews
“Pressfield’s battlefield scenes rank with the most convincing ever written.” (USA Today)
“Unabashedly brilliant, epic, intelligent, and moving.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Pressfield’s attention to historic detail is exquisite.... This novel will remain with the reader long after the final chapter is finished.”(Library Journal)
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What listeners say about Tides of War
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- J. M. Poulain
- 01-10-20
Great look at Hellenic Greek life
I've been a big fan of Pressfield and found this on his website listed as his favourite thing he'd ever written so wanted to try it out.
The structure is more confusing as I didn't know much about the Penopolisian Wars and the framing device is an Assassin on trial for murder telling an Officer telling his Grandson the story which can be confusing.
The book makes a good attempt of Athens herself being a character with her swings in opinions and favour a core issue, arguing that full direct democracy leads to absurb mob results (execution of Socrates, banishment of their greatest generals).
All with Pressfield's trademark realism in warfare and philosophical issues.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mr
- 28-03-17
Great for going deeper into the period.
A student quizzes his grandfather to recall the story of a soldier/assassin who fought with Alcebiades. This is Historical Fiction, it centers around Alcebiades and the war, and the democracy. Well researched, somewhat compelling if you have an interest in this period. Told through this prism of a companion of Alcebiades we track the events of this fratricidal war, it's an interesting and digestible way to learn the history of the characters.
I don't really *do* fiction so can't comment on it as a novel. But it's great as history, it made these historical characters relatable for me.
I think you need a decent understanding of the war already, to follow the narrative of this story. For example the author takes no time to explain the city states, if you are not already aware of terms like Lacedaemonian, Thrace, or Hellespont then much of this book might pass you by you will be wondering what is going on. So my recommendation: download first the audio book for "The Peloponnesian War" by "the Great Courses" it's on Audible , or listen to Donald Kegan's Yale lecture series which is on YouTube.
Very enjoyable if you want to go deeper into this interesting period of history of war and democracy.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- James
- 29-09-23
Brilliant!
Perfectly narrated; my favourite book by Steven Pressfield come to life and adventure in all the doom and tragedy of glorious classical Greece.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mr.Aziz
- 05-06-16
Fabulous storytelling
Fabulous storytelling evocative of the politics, intrigue and drama of a bygone era steeped in the eternal conflict of personal loyalty and acting in the interests of the greater good. Thoroughly enjoyed it and David Jacobi's voice adds an air of gravitas and dignity that such a tale warrants and deserves.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- edward sidsaph
- 04-12-18
overall good
But......sometimes a bit of a chore to get through.Overall good and educational listening for historical fiction lovers.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Denise
- 25-09-09
Brilliant!
Best novel ever written on the "Spartans Last Stand" Some parts of it brought me to tears. It has so much - the characters brought to life so completely. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- BlackenedNeo
- 13-03-19
Fantastic book
This is a really good book. The reader is absolutely fantastic. It is such a wonderful story, a bit sad albet, but still fantasticly written and read.
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