Ernest Norman reports on Robert Pressfield’s The Hot Gates
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I am a retired elder and follower of Christ for many decades. I am a reader of the classics and the history of Western Civilization. I enjoy understanding how the stream of western history informs our view of today’s world.
Book Basics
- Title: The Hot Gates
- Author: Robert Pressfield
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Difficulty: Middle School vocabulary
Two-Sentence Summary
Set among the handful of Spartans at Thermopylae, the book incidentally reveals much of Greek culture while showing the soldier’s somber realization of death and duty. The story is told through the eyes of a gravely wounded Spartan survivor and his recollection of conversations ranging from light-hearted banter to gravely serious purpose-of life-conversation are the vehicle through which we understand the story.
Why did you pick up this book?
A learned speculation of what happened in camp during those three days seemed very interesting to me.
Key Takeaway
There are few things worth dying for but should the need arise, be ready.
Memorable Quote
“Think on theese (sic)!”
How did this help your walk with Christ?
Made me a Christian more able to relate the stream of Western history.
Who should read this?
Anyone interested in Thermopylae. If the Spartans had not done what they did, we might be speaking Persian.
Any cautions or limitations?
15 Yrs and above. This is not a romance.
Final thoughts?
This is a good book for someone who is temporarily offline for illness or some other short-time reason. The writer really takes you away to a different time and place.
