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Gates of Fire
Posted on 9/2/22 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 9/2/22 at 12:47 pm
Just finished reading this book “Gates of Fire” by Steven Pressfield. Holy smokes was this one of the best novels I’ve ever read!
This is told from the story of Xoenes who was a squire to Dienekes (eye patch guy) in the battle of 300 Thermopylae.
I also have come to find out this is a required reading for West Point cadets and Naval Academy students.
Anyone else read this before? I know it’s got some date to it.
This is told from the story of Xoenes who was a squire to Dienekes (eye patch guy) in the battle of 300 Thermopylae.
I also have come to find out this is a required reading for West Point cadets and Naval Academy students.
Anyone else read this before? I know it’s got some date to it.
6
Posted on 9/2/22 at 2:00 pm to Shepherd88
It is almost as good as The Killer Angels.
We almost got a Gates of Fire film, directed by Michael Mann and Clooney and Willis wanted to play the leads (likely Clooney Xerxes and Willis Leonidas). It remained stuck at the idea phase and then 300 sucked all the oxygen out of the room about the topic.
If it scratched that particular itch for you, I can recommend Michael Curtis Ford's The Ten Thousand. Probably a more compelling story (the Anabasis) and is about as good.
We almost got a Gates of Fire film, directed by Michael Mann and Clooney and Willis wanted to play the leads (likely Clooney Xerxes and Willis Leonidas). It remained stuck at the idea phase and then 300 sucked all the oxygen out of the room about the topic.
If it scratched that particular itch for you, I can recommend Michael Curtis Ford's The Ten Thousand. Probably a more compelling story (the Anabasis) and is about as good.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 2:34 pm to Ace Midnight
Will definitely check those out. Thank you.
You right though. The movie 300 definitely sucked the oxygen out of that story. It was a good movie for what it was but to know the whole story before and after the fight just makes it that much better.
I remember listening to hardcore history years ago and he made the argument that the battle of Thermopylae literally saved western society. If those warriors had not of stood true, then our history here in America very well could have looked a lot different.
I also found one quote which may or may not have been accurate but it sounded awesome nonetheless. Why Leonidas chose the 300 he did, not bc of the quality of those men, but bc of the quality of those mens wives. He knew they would all die, and when they did that all of Greece would look to Sparta. Should those wives break down emotionally then Greece would likely fall, but if they had the courage to continue on then it would motivate the rest of Greece.
You right though. The movie 300 definitely sucked the oxygen out of that story. It was a good movie for what it was but to know the whole story before and after the fight just makes it that much better.
I remember listening to hardcore history years ago and he made the argument that the battle of Thermopylae literally saved western society. If those warriors had not of stood true, then our history here in America very well could have looked a lot different.
I also found one quote which may or may not have been accurate but it sounded awesome nonetheless. Why Leonidas chose the 300 he did, not bc of the quality of those men, but bc of the quality of those mens wives. He knew they would all die, and when they did that all of Greece would look to Sparta. Should those wives break down emotionally then Greece would likely fall, but if they had the courage to continue on then it would motivate the rest of Greece.
This post was edited on 9/2/22 at 2:42 pm
Posted on 9/2/22 at 3:33 pm to Shepherd88
One of my favorite books. I don't think I've read a book by Pressfield that I didn't love.
Posted on 9/2/22 at 4:41 pm to Shepherd88
Loved it too. Thought beforehand that it was going to be just like 300, and was prepared to find it stale, but was happily surprised that Pressfield went deeper. Big fan of the squire’s POV too.
War on Art is a good book as well. His insight can be applied to pretty much anything in one’s life.
War on Art is a good book as well. His insight can be applied to pretty much anything in one’s life.
Posted on 9/3/22 at 4:18 pm to Shepherd88
Read it back in January because it was recommended here. 10/10
Posted on 9/4/22 at 5:50 pm to Shepherd88
quote:
The movie 300 definitely sucked the oxygen out of that story.
300 was a great movie based on a graphic novel. The story was simple and accessible story, sure, but it was tight and enjoyable and the visuals were stunning at the time.
Just like Leonidas defended the hot gates, I will defend that movie to the death.
Posted on 9/5/22 at 1:49 pm to Shepherd88
Carried on my first deployment. I absolutely war the cover off of it. I was so excited about the release of 300 until it turned out not to Gates of Fire story adaptation, but a damn comic book.
Also second Killer Angels another great one.
Also second Killer Angels another great one.
Posted on 9/5/22 at 6:10 pm to Che Boludo
The Killer Angels book y’all are recommending is about the Civil War right? I’m looking it up on Amazon and just making sure I’m gonna get the right one.
Posted on 9/5/22 at 6:51 pm to Shepherd88
quote:
Killer Angels book y’all are recommending is about the Civil War right? I’m looking it up on Amazon and just making sure I’m gonna get the right one
Yes. Very well researched from 1st hand accounts and personal memoirs. A lot of historians didn't like how it was so well done that they completely failed to acknowledge that he used his own interpretation for emotion and linking perspectives and activities together to provide context and flow for the story.
If you like great, historic fiction storytellers, pick up Matterhorn a Vietnam story as well. Tremendous account. Karl Marlantes is a tremendous storyteller
Posted on 9/5/22 at 7:02 pm to Che Boludo
Thanks. I’ve read Jack Hinsons One Man’s War and loved that book. Haven’t read much else about Civil War stuff though.
Posted on 9/5/22 at 7:29 pm to Shepherd88
quote:
Civil War
Grants Memoirs is another awesome book.
It covers the span of his life, but obviously heavy on the Civil War. Great read.
Rumored to have had some Mark Twain editing help, which probably didn't hurt the end product.
Posted on 9/6/22 at 10:17 pm to Shepherd88
On my shelf... one of my favorites.
One of my favorite lines:
One of my favorite lines:
quote:
The Egyptian inquired of the Spartans why they wore their hair so long. Olympieus replied, quoting the lawmaker Lykurgus, "Because no other adornment makes a handsome man more comely or an ugly one more terrifying. And it's free."
This post was edited on 9/6/22 at 10:21 pm
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