Gates of Fire, battle of Thermopylae

[Bigjake]

Anybody read this book? :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/05...104-5115276-7333555?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

I just noticed it sitting on a shelf at B&N and bought it because it was on sale.

So far i've read it twice, and if you are interested in our motto's history, this book is an excelent read.

 

[MartinS]

Great story well told.

 

[RaggedClaws]

Yes, I've read it and it's a mighty fine book! More enjoyable than Herodotus, though obviously based on his history.

I've also read Tides of War (about the Peloponnesian War) by the same author, but that wasn't as good.

 

[duckslayer]

I concur, it is a fun book to read.

 

[Preacherman]

Outstanding book. Pressfield's other books are also very worthwhile.

 

[El Tejon]

If they can make Bagger Vance (I know, I know, the heavy juice of the golfers) a movie, why not Gates of Fire?

I would be perfect for the role of Dienekes. Line!

 

[Q-Lock]

Well, after reading this thread I just walked downstairs and picked up a copy at the local library. I guess working at the library does have some benefits

thanks for the heads up,

 

[simon]

Will have to check it out....

If you like this, you should read "The Last King". Forget the author, but it was a great read. 1st person story from that time period also..Even mentions Leonidas and Thermophyle

 

[jamz]

I've read it, fantastic book.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Also check out The Virtues of War by the same author.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553382055/qid=1147361010/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/103-7873077-4080644?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

It is a very interesting look at the battles of Alexander the Great as told from his perspective. 100 times better than the crappy movie that they made recently

 

[TheArchDuke]

If they can make Bagger Vance a movie, why not Gates of Fire?

They're making "300". It
s based on the graphic novel by Frank MIller (sin city).

www.300themovie.com


From the production journal photos, it's being filmed almost intirely infront of a green screen which means it'll have a comic book look like sin city...but with more color.

Sorta disapointing.




Anyway, back to the topic. I'm going to go look for the book at borders tomorrow.

 

[El Tejon]

Boo.

 

[Gordon Fink]

“What is the opposite of fear?”

~G. Fink

 

[El Tejon]

"Our friend Suicide has shown that the opposite of fear is El Tejon, Dienekes."

I sooo want to be in that movie.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Gates of Fire was suppose to be a movie .Their was a web site on it . Clooney If I remember was talked about for King and one Die Hard Bruce was also in their . The 300 crap is present. I had this book almost 3 years.

 

[Cosmoline]

Yeah, Michael Mann mulled over doing it a few years ago. He would have been excellent, as he's one of the only major directors around today who can approach historical material without altering it to suit his personal needs. Contrast his "Last of the Mohicans" with that mixed up nonsense "Gangs of New York," for example. From what I heard, though, the whole deal was quashed when it became increasingly clear that the "sword and sandles" box office that had been brought back from the dead with "Gladiator" had gone back in the hole with "Troy" and "Alexander."

 

[Turkey Creek]

There was a movie made years ago called The 300 Spartans- Stared Richard Eagen as the head honcho Spartan- I know that name means nothing to most of you here but I'm an old fart and he was a fairly big star when I was a kid- The movie was entertaining and funny at the same time, especially when the boss Persian sends in his crack troops called the Immortals- They had these goofy pointed hats and wicker shields- Of course they get their asses kicked and the Persian King goes ballistic- Very entertaining but then again I am easily amused

 

[hypoluxo]

Just ordered the book. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Sistema1927]

I reserved a copy and it is being sent to my local branch library. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Bigjake]

no problem ya'll. You will not be disapointed, this book is awesome.

I'm afraid of what miller will do to this otherwise great bit of history and literature...

My pipe dream would be Peter Jackson getting wind of this and making it an epic 3 1/2 hour flick sparing no expense.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Pressfield is a far better writer than most these days.

 

[chenzzo]

This is a great book. His "Last of the Amazons" is also a great read. I'm not even a golfer and I was able to really get into "Bagger Vance" as well. Pressfield is just an excellent writer.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

This is a map of the Persian empire at the time of "Gates of Fire". Look at the comparable size of Greece and Sparta and Athens.

From the "Gates of Fire":

"In 480 BC the forces of the Persian Empire (note map where the Persian Empire existed) under King Xerxes, numbering according to Herodotus two million men, bridged the Hellespoint and marched in their myrids to invade and enslave Greece...

...The Spartans and their Thespian allies died to the last man, but the standard of valor they set by their sacrifice inspired the Greeks to rally and, in that fall and spring, defeat the Persians at Salamis and Plataea and preserve the beginnings of Western democracy and freedom from perishing in the cradle..."

Before the battle of Thermopyle, Ptammitechus (an Egyptian Marine) shows a map similar to the one above to a group of Spartans at Rhodes. Pointing out how large the Persian empire is and how small Greece is in comparison. "...Listen to me brothers. The race of Egyptians is an ancient one...We have ruled and been ruled. Even now we are technically a conquered people, we serve the Persians. Yet regard my station friends. Do I look poor? Is my demeanor dishonored? Peer here within my purse. With all respect, brothers, I could buy and sell you and all you own with only that which I bear upon my person....His Majesty will honor you Spartans no less than us Egyptians, or any other great warrior people, should you see wisdom and enlist yourselves voluntarily beneath his banner. In the East we have learned that which you Greeks have not. The wheel turns, and man must turn with it. To resist is not mere folly, but madness."

"You have never tasted freedom, friend," Dienekes (a Spartan) spoke, "or you would know it is purchased not with gold, but steel...And as for the wheel you speak of, like every other, it turns both ways."


It seems to me that we're still fighting that fight against those who don't accept or understand liberty and who want to destroy Western culture.

 

[Reacher]

Great book! I sometimes use the name Dienekes when I play online games.

 

[aaronrkelly]

There was a movie made years ago called The 300 Spartans- Stared Richard Eagen as the head honcho Spartan- I know that name means nothing to most of you here but I'm an old fart and he was a fairly big star when I was a kid- The movie was entertaining and funny at the same time, especially when the boss Persian sends in his crack troops called the Immortals- They had these goofy pointed hats and wicker shields- Of course they get their asses kicked and the Persian King goes ballistic- Very entertaining but then again I am easily amused
__________________

I have 300 Spartans on DVD. It was out in 1962...damn good moive.



By the way, Im an old guy of 26 and I liked the movie.