Gates of Fire cover art

Gates of Fire

An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Gates of Fire

By: Steven Pressfield
Narrated by: George Guidall
Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £15.99

Buy Now for £15.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

Gates of Fire puts you at the side of valiant Spartan warriors in 480 BC for the bloody, climactic battle at Thermopylae. There, a few hundred of Sparta’s finest sacrificed their lives to hold back the invading Persian millions. The time they bought enabled the Greeks to rally - saving, according to ancient historian Herodotus, “Western democracy and freedom from perishing in the cradle.” How did the Spartans accomplish this superhuman feat? This is what the King of Persia hopes to learn from the sole Spartan survivor. The squire’s story indeed reveals the incredible rigors of Spartan training - and more importantly, how the whole culture fostered the mindset of fearlessness.

Steven Pressfield has skillfully combined scholarship and storytelling to bring the whole world of ancient Sparta brilliantly to life. George Guidall’s dramatic delivery enhances the richness and feeling of this inspired recreation.

©1998 Steven Pressfield (P)1999 Recorded Books, LLC Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Military Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction Ancient Greece Ancient History Tear-jerking Science Fiction Greek Mythology Greece War

Listeners also enjoyed...

 Spartacus: The Gladiator cover art
Tides of War cover art
A Man at Arms cover art
The Virtues of War cover art
The Warrior Ethos cover art
Killer of Men cover art
A War Like No Other cover art
God of Vengeance cover art
Tyrant cover art
Colossus: Stone and Steel cover art
The Things They Carried cover art
Wolf in Shadow cover art
The Immortal Irishman cover art
A Thousand Splendid Suns cover art
The Power of One cover art
The Midwife's Revolt cover art
All stars
Most relevant  
what a book, I become attached to the spartan characters and their journey, and was inspired by their fight to the death against overwhelming odds, this was an emotional ride

wow

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is a great story of a real event and I very much enjoyed the telling of it. It almost feels like an autobiography - recommended for history buffs

Excellent historical fiction

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
One of the best historic novels I've listened to/read. The BoT remains one of the pivotal points in world history and this is perfectly represented by Pressfield.

Great depiction of an epic story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
One of the best historical fictions I've read. Was recommended by a friend and I can honestly say they are now my go to person for book recs if this book is anything to go by.
Touches on some difficult subjects but in a respectful way which I really appreciate.

Amazing way to consume that era of human history

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great story and philosophical insights. Occasionally hard to work out what was happening chronologically - less of an issue in the physical book probably.

Great if a little chronologically confusing at times

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Possibly one of the greatest historic novels of our time. The author makes the characters and scenes come alive with the detailed back stories, whilst detailing at the philosophy of human nature to strive in the face of adversity. It’s a masterpiece of both history and humanity.

Stunning retelling of history

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

What made the experience of listening to Gates of Fire the most enjoyable?

To know that it is recounting of actual events that changed the world forever - brilliantly detailed stirring a palette of emotions throughout.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Xeones for his intimacy with the reader.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When the Spartans raid the tent of King Xerxes.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes if only. My wife almost divorced me some days.

Wow, did that really happen?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
amongst the most evocative and stunning things I've ever read. each sentence seems to be painstakingly and lovingly crafted. beautiful.

stunning

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Wow, what a book. To be honest, I didn't think this would be my sort of thing, as I never read war stories. But this is so much more than that. The intertwining stories, movements in time, and brillliant use of a narrator compels you to continue reading. All brought together beautifully.

An epic story of humankind.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
buy it
listen to it
love it

what more can I say

inspirational book

A moving and powerful story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews