http://rasml.org/?p=818

So many stories become page turners because we wish to find out how the events ended. In Pressfield’s Gates of Fire, there is no surprise: the 300 Spartan Peers die in defense of the pass of Thermopylae. The power of this story comes instead from the amazing acts of heroism and brotherhood the main characters exhibit. A story of duty and sacrifice, the book tackles the universal themes of brotherhood, love, fear, and above all, honor in a thought-provoking and memorable manner. Highly recommended!

With the movie release of “300” in the offing, I predict that Thermopylae will become an ancient-world “hot spot” for a season or two, with Sparta taking a turn in the spotlight much like Troy or gladiatorial Rome did after those movies. This novel has the goods on a very complete imagining of Spartan life, not just the famous battle. Told from the point of view of a gravely-wounded survivor of the Hot Gates, captured by the enemy & compelled to tell his story to Xerxes himself, its wealth of historical detail hums with authenticity while never bogging down in military jargon. This one’s a page-turner even though you know how it’s going to end.