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Gates of Fire

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About this listen

 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. . . . Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Thriller & Suspense War & Military

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
All stars
Most relevant
Bright fully to life in this medium beautifully and expertly by Derek Jacobi. Thank you.

I loved it

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Great book, great narrator. First book of his i have read really enjoyed it.....almost as much as Valerio Manfredi's book

Great book, shame it's abridged

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes due to the amazing narration and wonderful story but sadly it is abridged to the point of distracting from the enjoyment. So many fine aspects to the story are sadly missing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Narrator.

Have you listened to any of Derek Jacobi’s other performances? How does this one compare?

As good as the others I have listened to - please put his version of the Illiad on audible.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Moving,exciting and a wonderful example of first class narrating. Pity this is abridged if it were unabridged it would have been five stars in every area and one of the very best audio books in existence.

Awesome book but sadly abridged...

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Gates of Fire is a truly atmospheric and palpable epic made all the richer for being read by Derek Jacobi. I have felt as though I were watching from the side lines to the point where I could almost smell the blood, see battles, hear the roars of the Spartan Warriors, and feel the squelch of mud and sludge between my own toes. I could feel my emotions get entangled with the characters, as I became totally absorbed in the book. Steven Pressfield's insight into the Spartans' lifestyle is incredible, and his book is a great work of art. This is a truly wonderful audio book that I will repeatedly listen to.

An Atmospheric, Palpable Epic

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One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened this year. It’s dramatic, deep and contains some ever-relevant philosophical ideas that can still be used in modern-day life.

An incredible story - well told!

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