Gates of Fire

[United]

I have just finished reading this book, and to my surprise I thought it was actually very good.  I usually am not interested much in ancient combat, but it is well written and kept my attention throughout the entire book.  I also noticed that it relates very much to real life with the concepts and combat beliefs by the Spartans.

But, I do have a question.  It says that it was written by a secretary to the Persian King from a story told by the Spartan squire.  Did Steven Pressfield actually write it?  I was thinking that maybe he just rewrote the story and made it more ellaborate and entertaining.

For others who have read it, what did you think?

[Edbert]

I read it years ago and absolutely LOVED it. The dialog in some of those speeches was completely amazing. I cannot wait for the movie even though i know Hollywood will destroy yet another good book with a crappy movie.

Pressfield obviously wrote it, but since it happened ~2500 years ago he was not actually there

(sort of)
The Spartans at the hot gates were killed to a man, But we all know of their accomplishments, so somebody had to have written it down. Ever hear the term "Go tell the Spartans"? Their accomplishments saved the Greek Empire, which lasted for a few hundred more years until eclipsed by the Romans.

There was a bit about Thermoplyae on the History Channel just last night, it was good but had the worst computer animations I've seen since the early 90s.

[Preon1]

Originally posted by Edbert MOL
There was a bit about Thermoplyae on the History Channel just last night, it was good but had the worst computer animations I've seen since the early 90s.

I saw that too.  They were using Rome: Total War to illustrate the battle.  I guess it's a 'budget' television series (probably less than $5000 per episode).

[United]

Edbert, when you say Pressfield obviously wrote it is where I disagree.  It says during the context that the story was told by the one remaining Spartan to a secretary who wrote the entire thing down.  At the very beginning and the very end it even has some of the secretary's notes.  My question is did Pressfield write/elaborate it? or did he just copy down the writings of the secretary?

[Dune]

I'm pretty sure that Pressfield made up the secretary to write the story from a semi-historical point of view.  

Having said that, I would like to read it again.

[SLO]

Excellent book from my POV, and I read alot of books.....

I consider it one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of reading....

and even though the battle of thermoplyea is a real part of History, Pressfield used fictional characters to dramatize. Just like he did with Enemies at the Gate. Even though the Character of the Sniper(Ziatsev) is real he used it and dramatized it.

[Edbert]

Originally posted by United
Edbert, when you say Pressfield obviously wrote it is where I disagree.  It says during the context that the story was told by the one remaining Spartan to a secretary who wrote the entire thing down.  At the very beginning and the very end it even has some of the secretary's notes.  My question is did Pressfield write/elaborate it? or did he just copy down the writings of the secretary?

Nope...he wrote it...historically accurate and plausible books are his specialty.

I agree SLO, I'd put it into my top ten list too. Highly recommended!