Listen free for 30 days

Preview
  • Gates of Fire

  • An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
  • Written by: Steven Pressfield
  • Narrated by: George Guidall
  • Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (126 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Gates of Fire

Written by: Steven Pressfield
Narrated by: George Guidall
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.83

Buy Now for $27.83

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

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
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Gates of Fire

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    100
  • 4 Stars
    22
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    95
  • 4 Stars
    20
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    98
  • 4 Stars
    18
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Epic. Visceral. Awesome.

I truly enjoyed the immaculate detail and awesome storytelling. A truly epic tale of human struggle, strength and war.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

'More Than Acceptable' Historical Fiction

I admit that I was swayed by a Publishers Summary that implied a more historically accurate depiction/interpretation of the battle of Thermopylae (made famous by the film version of Frank Miller's '300'). Instead, this book is a fictional story about a young Greek who joined the Polis of Sparta after his home was sacked, participated in the battles against the Persians, and describes life, training, and adventures in Sparta in the 4th century BC.
Steven Pressfield's action-heavy offering is a great tale (well-written, populated with interesting characters, plotted reasonably well, with an immersive setting, making some excellent philosophical points about life & death, and including some of the best descriptions of pitched battle I have ever read).. just not what I anticipated. Ben Kane and Bernard Cromwell actually provide similar "man-in-the-trenches" stories more effectively (if less maturely).

George Guidall's narration is similarly overshadowed by the availability of superior readers (I get the impression that Recorded Books Inc. could have cast this project better).
That's not to say that the reading isn't professional.. Guidall delivers a performance with commendable diction, cadence, and tone, but he reads slightly too slowly (listen at 1.15X), and with unimaginative voice-acting (every character sounds similar).
In toto, the recording is "passable".

Altogether, this is a creditable effort from all standpoints. I rate 'Gates Of Fire' 8.5 stars out of 10. I bought the book on sale (and I'm glad I took the chance), but fans of cerebral historical adventure books are warranted in spending a Credit on it.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Remarkable

Without a doubt one of the most outstanding performances I’ve ever had the privilege to enjoy. The story is constructed so beautifully. I was not expecting such a work of art as this. It captures the moments and the emotions that weave through them. The picture of life in these times is stark and humbling. It makes you realize how lucky those that live in safety and security are. That this is possible is down to men like the Spartans, for they and those like them endure such hardship so they can fight for others. This book is a testament to that.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Freaking Epic!

Loved it! Pure epicness througout the whole tale, very inspirstional and thought provoking! I bought the actual book just so i could own a physical copy, and gifted another copy to my friend.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great great book

Well written .. a wonderful story .. inspiring recounting of leadership and loyalty … definitely a great read

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

one of my favs

I read this book in my early 20s and is still one of the best books I've ever read. it translates to audiobook perfectly.... what a great story.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great story and a great performance

Great historical fiction, with a great Narration. The story comes alive to the modern reader but stays true to the characters at their place in history.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

outstanding

brutal and beautiful.

lessons in lbeing a leader or future and current leaders.

narrator was excellent.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I couldn't get enough

Simply put, this is a superb listen. 5 stars all around. I already somewhat knew the story of the battle of Thermoplae, thanks mostly to the movie The 300, however this book weaves a complelling tale of the Spartan way of life. Seen through the eyes of a Squire, the narrator takes the listener on such a beautifully detailed journey, that one feels transported in time. You get to feel the passions and emotions, the guts and the grit that made up the psyche of the heroes of this battle. I felt compelled to listen... And was left bereft by the end.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent historical fiction - would recommend

Excellent historical fiction - would recommend. Really well-told story and characters. Excellent narration and glad I listened.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful