Beyond the gates of fire has eight chapters, and as the subtitle indicates several offer new perspectives on the events leading up to the battle and afterwards. Battle of thermopylae novels set in ancient greece novels set in ancient persia doubleday publisher books cultural depictions of xerxes i. It is our intent and purpose to foster and encourage indepth discussion about all things related to books. Mar 25, 2007 300 is based on frank millers graphic novel, which was in turn inspired by the 1962 movie, the 300 spartans. The word in greek means hot gates, from the thermal springs and, as his majesty knows, the narrow and precipitous defiles which form the only passages by which the site may be approachedin greek, pylae or pylai, the east and west gates. These academics who had written about sparta, persia, ancient warfare, weapons and armor, etc. The film rights to gates of fire were purchased in january 1998. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by pressfield, steven from amazons fiction books store. Like most of pressfields work, gates of fire deals with the common soldier, the grunt, the squire. Xeones, through his narration, chides xerxes for not being a true king.
Pressfield, i was wandering through waldenbooks with a coupon in my hand, unable to find any books that i truly wanted to buy when the cover of gates of fire caught my eye. What made gates of fire more compelling than 300 was its description of the. Gates of fire is a 1998 historical fiction novel by steven pressfield that recounts the battle of. Lancelot by giles kristian was an amazing standalone and now, ive found gates of fire by steven pressfield. Better than 300 gates of fire is a fabulous novel centered around the ancient spartan way of life. His acknowledgments at the end of the book cite some historians. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by steven pressfield online at alibris. The heroism of the 300 spartans who opted to remain behind to face the full might of the persian host while their.
This rare but excellent documentary explores life in the great ancient citystate of sparta and its legendary clash with persia in 480 bc. Following a more historical account of the first spartan reposte to the persian invaders than. Steven pressfield is a great writer, but with gates of fire, he reaches a pitch of sublimity that rivals the gods. Oct 01, 2018 spartans at the gates of fire duration.
This website is dedicated to king leonidas, the 300 spartans, 700 thespians and other greek warriors who fought to the death during the battle of thermopylae hot gates in august, 480 b. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Gates of fire book 33 of 52 books of titans reading list. It is lyrical, compelling, thought provoking, and soars above most works of historical fiction at least those that shrug in the mud of military historical fiction. When discussing gates of fire in a recent podcast episode, pressfield said the spartan culture was so different from ours, that writing a nonfiction book and just describing the people would have shocked people. Gates of fire by steven pressfield the 300 spartans. An insightful view of spartan culture and history from the point of view of a refugee who endures first hand the harsh military training and lifestyle of.
The spartan and thespian last stand has been immortalized in the works of herodotus and glorified in the 1962 movie the 300 spartans starring richard egan, along with many other mediums consisting of. The content in a few of these essays may seem familiar, while in others, the most recent scholarship provides new insight into one of antiquitys greatest battles. The story still inspires novelists and filmmakers today frank millers fanciful 300 was a huge hit in 2007 and the film rights to steven pressfields more historical novel gates of fire were bought by george clooney, the film expected to finally surface in 2011 or 2012. 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. Narrated by the sole survivor of the epic battlea squire in the spartan heavy infantry gates of fire is a mesmerizing depiction of one mans indoctrination into the spartan way of life and death, and of the legendary men and women who gave the culture an immortal gravity. Steven pressfield does a wonderful job at retelling the story of the 300 and the battle of thermopylae as well as the spartan way. Despite their eventual defeat, the greek forces became renowned for. If you arent a comic book fan you might not enjoy it. It takes place after the main character xeones xeo for short has been nearly killed and is kidnapped by the persians to tell king xerxes about his life as a spartan slave.
Jailbreak fire stick tv alexa how to unlock ste gates. The first edition of the novel was published in october 20th 1998, and was written by steven pressfield. Narrated by the sole survivor of the epic battlea squire in the spartan heavy infantrygates of fire is a mesmerizing depiction of one mans indoctrination into the spartan way of life and death, and of the legendary men and women who gave the culture an immortal gravity. If you are looking for a very good fiction book, and you are a fan of the history as well. Gates of fire is historical fiction set during the greek golden age, historically. A captive greek, named xeones, dictates his story to a scribe who works for the persian king, xerxes. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. I am a teacher whose love of history began with a highschool western civilization class. Instead, by introducing the reader to the spartans in the form of a boy who slowly gets to know them and then become one of the 300. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae pdf epub book. This is free download gates of fire by steven pressfield complete book soft copy. Gates of fire is my favorite book, 300 one of my favorite films. One day i was reading herodotus the histories for probably the twentieth time when i came to this passage about the 300 spartans and the battle of thermopylae. I had no idea what i would do after the legend of bagger vance.
Gates of fire is a 1998 historical fiction novel by steven pressfield that recounts the battle of thermopylae through xeones, a perioikoi free but noncitizen inhabitant of sparta born in astakos, and one of only three greek survivors of the battle. I first read gates of fire more than 10 years ago, long before the movie or comic book 300 came out. Chicago turabian humanities citation style guide pressfield, steven, gates of fire. Im starting to feel that historical fiction is the right genre to visit when im looking for amazing standalone books.
An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by steven pressfield at indigo. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 384 pages and is available in paperback format. This book is about the battle of thermopylae in ancient greece, where 300 spartans fought to the death. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae, paperback by pressfield, steven, isbn 055338368x, isbn 9780553383683, brand new, free shipping in the us an ambitious, cinematic historical novel chronicles the battle of three hundred spartan warriors against a huge force of persian soldiers in 480. Few books on war may ever enthrall one as much as gates of fire, steven pressfields brilliantly executed story on the battle of thermopylae. Nevertheless, in an interview he stated that he still has hope that maybe an influential figure what he terms the decisive element will pick up the project and carry it through to fruition. Well, it looks like gates of fire is a lot more historically accurate and realistic than 300. The 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the persians by thermopylae, while the naval forces, which were under the athenian themistocles, met them by sea, most importantly at artemisium.
The greek loyalists battle for six days in a prelude to their ultimate victory. If you like comics and you like the story of thermopylae then youll probably like 300. Click on below buttons to start download gates of fire by steven pressfield pdf epub without registration. A bit late to the thread, but thought i would chime in if anyone happens to be searching for thoughts on this book and the comparison to 300. Thus reads an ancient stone at thermopylae in northern greece, the site of one. Finnuci, began his first class with a vivid description of the battle of thermopylae. His books on ancient greece are accepted readings by many universities, as the topics covered include not only the aforementioned battle of thermopylae, but the peloponnesian wars and campaigns of alexander the great as well. Jun 28, 2014 this rare but excellent documentary explores life in the great ancient citystate of sparta and its legendary clash with persia in 480 bc. Essay on gates of fire novel better than 300 gates of fire. This book more than any other book, by far is the best read in a historical novel i have ever read. The battle of thermopylae in 480 bc is one of the most famous battles in history. An insightful view of spartan culture and history from the point of view of a refugee who endures first hand the harsh military training and lifestyle of the spartan soldier.
One of the two best standalone books that ive ever read so far. Gates of fire is a 1998 work of historical fiction by steven pressfield centered around the famous battle of thermopylae 480 bc, in which a heavilyoutnumbered force of native greeks led by the spartans held the invading army of the persian empire at bay for several days. The phokian wall around which so much of the most desperate fighting took place was. Anyone interested in ancient history or military simply must read gates of fire. Nunnari discovered frank millers graphic novel 300, which impressed him enough to acquire the film rights. If you saw or read frank millers 300 then you need to read this book.
Producer gianni nunnari was not the only person planning a film about the battle of thermopylae. More recently, steven pressfield published gates of fire my personal nominee for best novel of the decade. Gates of fire was not quite what i expected, but this does not in any way diminish its attraction. Then congratulations, you are at the perfect place. This study guide consists of approximately 41 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of gates of fire. Sep 18, 2017 when discussing gates of fire in a recent podcast episode, pressfield said the spartan culture was so different from ours, that writing a nonfiction book and just describing the people would have shocked people. As a former marine, and a bit of a classics buff, gates of fire speaks to me on so many levels. I was expecting a war story with a focus on the mentality of the spartan warriors, and this was indeed a significant part of the book, but it was ultimately more than that. As much as enjoyed both, i was saddened by its success because i knew many people would take it as the definitive fictionalization of the historical battle of thermopylae. Steven pressfields book the gates of fire has done more than any other to bring awareness to the battle of thermopylae and the legendary warriors. If you are still wondering how to get free pdf epub of book gates of fire by steven pressfield.
Essentially an adaptation of the comic book series written and illustrated by frank miller, 300 was highly provocative due to its portrayal of. The story is done with great mastery for depicting human nature, spartan culture and psychology, and ancient greek warfare and battle tactics. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Go tell the spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie. Gates of fire is a must read for a soldier or any warrior.
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