Carrying the torch for the 'Gates of Fire'

The Battle of Marathon - 2500 year anniversary

2010-10-10T09:37:00.002-04:00

Please click the following link to read more about the 2500 year anniversary of the Battle of Marathon.

Steven Pressfield : Author of the 'Gates of Fire' - Member of the Leonidas Expeditions

2008-10-01T03:00:00.008-04:00

We are very honored to announce that Steven Pressfield is a member of the 2010 Leonidas Expeditions.

The 2010 Leonidas Expedition

2007-12-31T03:00:00.001-05:00

There are several questions that have remained unanswered relative to the Battle of Thermopylae for approximately 2,500 years. One of these is the site of the Phokian skirmish and another is the path that was used by the Immortals to encircle King Leonidas, the remaining Spartan, Thespian and Theban warriors?

To read about the 2010 Leonidas Expedition and its objectives, please access the following site.

MOLON LABE!!!

'Gates of Fire' - Spanish Version - III

2006-05-01T03:00:00.001-04:00

Here is yet another version of Steven Pressfield's Battle of Thermopylae story 'Puertas De Fuego'.

Many thanks to Ignacio for forwarding all the images. Good on ya mate!

'Gates of Fire' - Spanish Version - II

2006-04-01T03:00:00.002-05:00

Here is another Spanish version of the 'Gates of Fire' book entitled 'Puertas De Fuego'.

Thanks to Ignacio for forwarding this image!

'Gates of Fire' - Spanish Version - I

2006-03-01T03:00:00.002-05:00

Here is the first of several Spanish versions of the Steven Pressfield book 'Gates of Fire'.

Thanks to Ignacio for forwarding this image.

'Gates of Fire' - Danish version

2006-02-01T03:00:00.001-05:00

Here's an image of the Danish version of the 'Gates of Fire'. My goal is to post as many images of the different covers available of this version of the Battle of Thermopylae written by Steven Pressfield.

New Year's wishes for a 'Gates of Fire' movie

2006-01-02T03:00:00.003-05:00

It seems that there is a division between the readers of Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire' and Frank Miller's '300'. More readers would rather see 'Gates of Fire' made into a movie rather than '300', however, I feel there isn't any reason why two movies depicting the same event can't be filmed. My hope is that it won't take another 40 years like it did after 'The 300 Spartans' was released!

This is why I believe that if the readers who prefer 'GoF' over '300' see the Frank Miller version, Maysville Pictures who own the rights to the Pressfield book will take a close look at the returns. If '300' is profitable, their rationale will be why not make another version of the battle?

'Gates of Fire' - French version

2005-12-20T03:00:00.002-05:00

Here's an image of the cover of the French version of Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire'.

'Gates of Fire' - 2005 upgraded paperback version

2005-12-12T03:00:00.002-05:00

Here is an image that Steven Pressfield forwarded to me of the new upgraded paperback version of 'Gates of Fire' which was released in September 2005.

With the different variations that I've posted, I wonder which is your favorite cover?

The end of Talkgatesoffire.com

2005-12-05T03:00:00.005-05:00

I am sad to say that it looks as if Nick Worby's excellent website www.talkgatesoffire.com which discussed all matters relative to the Steven Pressfield book, 'Gates of Fire' is finis.

This is a disappointment because it involved quite a few members who were very passionate about the 'GOF' and who like myself, would like nothing better than to see the book made into a movie!!!

'Gates of Fire' - paperback version

2005-11-27T03:00:00.002-05:00

Of all the covers of the Steven Pressfield book 'Gates of Fire' that I own, this one is my favorite. The Spartan warrior seen looking over his shield as depicted on this paperback's cover would have been almost completely enveloped in armor during the Battle of Thermopylae. Together with his fellow hoplite's shield covering his right side and his own shield covering his left side, the seemingly impenetrable phalanx formation that the Spartans were part of would have presented a fearsome sight to the advancing Persian army.

One of the reasons that I admire this book is because not only was S.P. able to present what the battle of Thermopylae must have been like, he was able to convey the myriad of emotions on the part of the combatants such as courage, desperation, fear, futility, etc. This book in my opinion is the standard which other books about the battle of the Thermopylae will be measured against.

Japanese translation of 'Gates of Fire'

2005-11-20T03:00:00.002-05:00

I received an email from Miyuki, who informed me that the translation of the Steven Pressfield book 'Gates of Fire' is 'Honoo no Monn'.

Thank you Miyuki!

'Gates of Fire' - 'La Batalla De Las Termopilas'

2005-11-14T03:00:00.003-05:00

This image is of the Spanish version of Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire' book, 'La Batalla De Las Termopilas', whose literal translation is 'The Battle of Thermopylae'. Since this is my favorite book, I couldn't resist purchasing it and to add further proof of the success of this story, it has been translated in other languages. It just goes to show, that the interest in the 300 Spartans is worldwide and that Steven Pressfield deserves all the accolades he has received for an excellent book.

'Gates of Fire' - advance reading copy - softcover

2005-11-07T03:00:00.003-05:00

This image is of an advance reading copy of Steven Pressfield's excellent book about the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae entitled 'Gates of Fire'.

While I have a first edition of the book, I acquired this advance reading copy 'or uncorrected proof' because it precedes the first published edition. It is considered by many to be the true '1st edition' since it actually precedes the distribution of the first printing.

'Gates of Fire' - hardcover

2005-10-31T03:00:00.003-05:00

As mentioned previously, the one book that has brought more attention to the battle of Thermopylae and the heroic 300 Spartans, is Steven Pressfield's, 'Gates of Fire'.

In the works of Herodotus, Dienekes, who along with several other Spartiates is mentioned as the bravest of the brave. It was he, who when told that 'The Persian arrows would blot out the sun', replied 'Well, then we shall fight in the shade'.

In this tale of the Battle of Thermopylae, there are many characters who are introduced in this excellent novel who possess the same attributes of the Spartan warriors that have been admired for over 2,500 years. Once again, Dienekes as written by Steven Pressfield is the warrior who best exemplifies all those characteristics.

Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire'

2005-10-24T03:00:00.005-04:00

If there is one book that has done more to glorify the heroism and tenacity of the 300 Spartans it is unquestionably Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire'. When I first saw the movie 'The 300 Spartans' as a young child in Australia, it had such a profound impact on me that as I grew older I tried to read everything that I could about the Battle of Thermopylae.

My first introduction to the literary form about the story of the 300 Spartans was Mary Renault's 'Lion in the Gateway'. This was my favorite story when I was growing up, so much in fact, that I tried to collect every different format that I came across, i.e, hardcover, softcover and paperbacks. My favorite book today coincidentally enough is S.P.'s 'Gates of Fire', which has me once again going the same route by collecting the different versions which are available.

I could say that for selfish reasons that I would like a movie to be made of the 'GOF' book, however, I'm sure there are many others that would agree with this sentiment! Don't you???

Carrying the torch for the 'Gates of Fire'

2005-10-17T03:00:00.005-04:00

Production work began today in Montreal, Canada on the Battle of Thermopylae movie '300', which is based on Frank Miller's eponymous comic book series. I was extremely happy several months ago when it was confirmed that the movie would starting filming, despite the fact that it would be based on a comic book series.

I feel that whether a movie about the 300 Spartans is based on fact or fiction, what truly matters to me is whether it will be made. If the movie is entertaining, it will instill in those viewers a curiosity to 'seek the truth', whether it is through the 'Histories' of Herodotus or other accounts of the battle. Of course, I would rather see a movie based on the true story of King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans, however, if there is a movie to be made which isn't factual (then again, which one is 100% fact-based?) it will be better than one not being made at all.

Then why the ambivalent feelings? After I had read Steven Pressfield's book, 'Gates of Fire', I thought that if there was a movie to be made about the 300 Spartans, I thought this would be it! I had read so many books on the battle, many of them fact-based and several of them fictional accounts, however, what appealed to me the most about this one is that it brought the Spartiates to life like no other.

Now we will have to wait for the 'Gates of Fire' movie to be made, if it ever does. It is my opinion that whether this movie is made in the near future, it is contingent on the success of Frank Miller's '300'.

I am very curious to read what you have to say about '300' vs. 'Gates of Fire'.