Gates of Fire cover art

Gates of Fire

An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

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Gates of Fire

By: Steven Pressfield
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
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About this listen

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. Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction Greece Exciting Solider

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

Another great escape from Mister Pressfield

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

enthralling

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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.

Brilliant

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

Abridgement disappointing

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

reviews have a minimum word count...

fck me sideways

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Great story and rendition of the classic story. I’d like to think it all went something like how this author portrayed it!

The fine details make this feel less fictional

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

the hot gates

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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!!

Amazing!

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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 !

5 star book

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Such a graphically and beautifully told historical story describing not only the courage and self-discipline of the battlefield, but also, very touchingly, that profound courage, compassion and dignity of the women - the wives and mothers of Sparta. It explains the part the battle played in the birth of democracy.

Audiobook so beautifully read

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