More recently, steven pressfield published gates of fire my personal nominee for best novel of the decade. 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. One of the reasons that the spartans lasted so long at the gates of fire was due to their phalanx and enviorment i say its 100% due to the enviorment though roman. Gates of fire is a 1998 historical fiction novel by steven pressfield that recounts the battle of thermopylae through xeones, a perioikoi born in astakos, and one. So the battle of thermopylae included a land and sea component. Xeones, through his narration, chides xerxes for not being a true king. Gates of fire book 33 of 52 books of titans reading list. Steven pressfield is a great writer, but with gates of fire, he reaches a pitch of sublimity that rivals the gods. The name of it is gates of fire written by steven pressfield. Still a tiny figure compared to the forces against themthere is evidence that the vast persian army has been vastly exaggeratedbut more than the legend, which forgets some contributors.
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. Best of all, if after reading an ebook, you buy a paper version of gates of fire. This 52page guide for gates of fire by steven pressfield includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 38 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Producer gianni nunnari was not the only person planning a film about the battle of thermopylae. In 480 bc, king xerxes lead a persian army of between one and two million into greece. These academics who had written about sparta, persia, ancient warfare, weapons and armor, etc. One of the two best standalone books that ive ever read so far. Ive read gates of fire, and it was an amazing story.
You can count on gates to supply innovative new products that push the boundaries of materials science. The behaviour of all the greeks was heroic, but that of the spartans was absurdly so. 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. 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.
Nov 16, 2019 zack snyders 2007 fantasy historical film, 300, has probably made the battle of thermopylae one of the most famous battles of the ancient world. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Read the book on paper it is quite a powerful experience. Gates of fire is required reading at west point and annapolis and for all officers in the u. Nov 30, 2017 so the battle of thermopylae included a land and sea component. 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. 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. Jul 26, 2016 by knowing why you are taking an action, you become empowered to choose the approach that is going to get the job done and accomplish the mission. Gates of fire tells the story of thermopylae, one of the most famous of ancient battles. Most people are aware that the leader of the greeks during the battle was leonidas of sparta.
Gates of fire navy general library program downloadable. Gates of fire is a truly atmospheric and palpable epic made all the richer for being read by derek jacobi. 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. Unquestionably one of the finest books about the legendary three day defense of the pass of thermopylae, it has received many accolades worldwide and whose interest as a movie project still continues unabated. By knowing why you are taking an action, you become empowered to choose the approach that is going to get the job done and accomplish the mission. If you arent a comic book fan you might not enjoy it. Finnuci, began his first class with a vivid description of the battle of thermopylae. 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. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. 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.
Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. We are constantly expanding our product catalog and services to support every facet of. No, it is not the source material for the movie 300. By the time the novel reaches its climax, when the persians are at hand and the 300 spartans march off to the pass at thermopylae, the reader has been drawn. Mar 17, 2014 i would strongly recommend the book gates of fire by steven pressfield. Essay on gates of fire novel better than 300 gates of fire. 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. Its one of the best books i have ever read, and not only does it tell the spartans tale with the most accuracy possible, the intricacy and uniqueness of the storytelling told from the perspective of a squire of a spartan who was resuscitated after the final battle is very compelling, making you really. The historical inaccuracies in 300 today i found out.
As a former marine, and a bit of a classics buff, gates of fire speaks to me on so many levels. Strangely enough, its a book of historical fiction. Is george clooneys gates of fire the best movie never made. On the commandants reading list for all ranks since 2002. Vastly outnumbered, the greeks delayed the enemy in one of the most famous last stands of history. Notoriously, 300 spartans along with no more than 7,000 allied greeks, held off an attacking army of herodotus tells us 2 million persians for several days. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. I note that it took a little while for the book to fully hook me, but then i was captured by it. Gates of fire follows the experiences of zeones, or zeo, a greek boy. This rare but excellent documentary explores life in the great ancient citystate of sparta and its legendary clash with persia in 480 bc.
Well, it looks like gates of fire is a lot more historically accurate and realistic than 300. Instead of taking the hippeis his 300 strong bodyguard of the best young men, leonidas departed with 300 veterans. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The battle of thermopylae in 480 bc is one of the most famous battles in history. His acknowledgments at the end of the book cite some historians. 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. 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. The heroism of the 300 spartans who opted to remain behind to face the full might of the persian host while their. We engineer our products to continually exceed expectations and outperform industry standards. Gates of fire was not quite what i expected, but this does not in any way diminish its attraction. Is george clooneys gates of fire the best movie never. I would strongly recommend the book gates of fire by steven pressfield.
Mar 25, 2007 300 is based on frank millers graphic novel, which was in turn inspired by the 1962 movie, the 300 spartans. As with snyders 300, the narrative of gates of fire is delivered as flashbacks by a survivor of thermopylae. 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. In my opinion, both lancelot and gates of fire achieved what i think at this point is. This is a superb retelling of the battle of thermopylae and of the protagonists life leading up to the battle.
The scribe narrator writes that xerxes has become impatient with xeones rambling style of storytelling. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading gates of fire. Organized by product category, this catalog includes the parts and repair information you need for your gates products, systems, and solution kits. I know this book is fiction, but it is on the usmc commandants reading list, is taught to the corps of cadets at west point, annapo. 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 300 spartans led by the spartan king leonidas met the persians by thermopylae, while the naval forces, which were under. Like most of pressfields work, gates of fire deals with the common soldier, the grunt, the squire. This book more than any other book, by far is the best read in a historical novel i have ever read. Probably, because zack snyders 300 is about that same battle but that film pales in comparison to the promise that gates of fire held as an immersive, historically detailed, brutal, and. The gates master products catalog features information on all gates equipment. Xeones, a greek youth who becomes a squireslave after his city is overrun, learns about spartan culture from the veteran warrior dienekes before accompanying him and the other spartans, including king leonidas, to thermopylae. 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. What made gates of fire more compelling than 300 was its description of the. Persians under xerxes had both a land and a sea force with which they attempted to defeat those greeks who wouldnt willingly accept persian domination, as many greek citystates had already done.
An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by steven pressfield. Although there were 300 spartans present at the defense of thermopylae, there were at least 4,000 allies involved on the first two days and 1,500 men involved in the fatal last stand. Oct 22, 2019 a compromise was needed between sending a full army and keeping their divine favor. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae kindle edition by pressfield, steven. If you like comics and you like the story of thermopylae then youll probably like 300. Battle of thermopylae of 480 bc, an alliance of south greek citystates fought the invading persian army in the pass of thermopylae.
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 suggest that a few people put down their comic books and dvds, pick up a book, and learn something. This book is about the battle of thermopylae in ancient greece, where 300. I am a teacher whose love of history began with a highschool western civilization class.
Lancelot by giles kristian was an amazing standalone and now, ive found gates of fire by steven pressfield. Gates of fire which was spearheaded by none other than george clooney. King leonidas of sparta and the epic battle of the 300 at. 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. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae audiobook by steven pressfield. Anyone interested in ancient history or military simply must read gates of fire. 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. 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.
The phokian wall around which so much of the most desperate fighting took place was. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by pressfield, steven from amazons fiction books store. Nelson demilleat thermopylae, a rocky mountain pass in northern greece, the. Despite their eventual defeat, the greek forces became renowned for. Nunnari discovered frank millers graphic novel 300, which impressed him enough to acquire the film rights. Back in 2000 when 300 was in development, there was another spartan movie that looked set for the big screen. The story of the 300 spartans and the battle of thermopylae, 480 bce. I requested this audiobook a year ago, and finally, with the release of 300, we got it. 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. Gates of fire by steven pressfield the 300 spartans.
The spartan king leonidas lead 300 knights ans some 700 thespaian allies to the narrow pass at thermopylae, in order to hold the persians back as long as possible. Essentially an adaptation of the comic book series written and illustrated by frank miller, 300 was highly provocative due to its portrayal of. 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. Jan 30, 2007 national bestseller an incredibly gripping, moving, and literate work of art, rarely does an author manage to recreate a moment in history with such mastery, authority, and psychological insight. Essay on gates of fire novel better than 300 gates of. 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. 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.
A small force led by king leonidas of sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of xerxes i could pass. An epic novel of the battle of thermopylae by steven pressfield at indigo. I just recently rediscovered this book and decided to read it again. His two best novels are gates of fire, which tells the story of 300 spartan warriors sent to defend the pass of thermopylae.