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  • Gates of Fire

  • An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
  • By: Steven Pressfield
  • Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
  • Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (140 ratings)

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Gates of Fire cover art

Gates of Fire

By: Steven Pressfield
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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Publisher's Summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Steven Pressfield brings the battle of Thermopylae to brilliant life.”—Pat Conroy

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....

©1998 Steven Pressfield (P)2000 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“Gripping and swashbuckling . . . an exciting, romantic, star-crossed story.”The New York Times

“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 insight.”—Nelson DeMille

“A novel that is intricate and arresting and, once begun, almost impossible to put down.”—New York Daily News

What listeners say about Gates of Fire

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    3 out of 5 stars

Abridgement disappointing

I can only wish there was a complete version! Derek Jacobi's performance is nevertheless excellent.

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fck me sideways

won't waste words - listen to it, then listen again

reviews have a minimum word count...

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the hot gates

great if you love historical fiction. The story of the last stand at Thermopylae in the war against the Persians.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing!

I love love love this book! I've listened to it half a dozen times and will yet again. the narrator is perfect and exciting and animated! Such an amazing story! I hear something new everytime and catch things I missed. HIghly recommended!!

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5 star book

pressfield is well versed in this period of history and it blazes brightly through narration , all story quotes being done in a "british accent" sort of soured me but cadence and tone are spot on !

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Another great escape from Mister Pressfield

Very easy to listen to and a great escape from the rat race on my way to and from work. Thank you Mister Pressfield!

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enthralling

This is a beautifully written novel which has.been superbly rendered by the narrator. highly recommended

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Brilliant

I have listened to this a few times now, and while short it gives a fantastic view to the life and legend of those who lived in Sparta. I found the narration to be compelling and kept me interested the entire time.

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A cracking good book

This is a great story told in an interesting way. Based on fact, most readers will know the ending but the journey to that end is terrific.

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A ture gift

I found its story inspiring and rousing. I still return for inspiration in tougher times

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