So much different than most of my reading and so good! Character development, story, history (presumably accurate), and terrific insight into men, women, and children of an era that is largely unfamiliar to me.

The results of the Battle of Thermopylae (this story) and the following Battle of Salamis (see Carnage and Culture by Hanson) may be the reason that Western Civilization exists today. Overstated? I don't think so. ( )

This is a powerful book. I can't comment on the historical accuracy of the book, though it seems Steven Pressfield has taken great pains for authenticity. This is a great treatise on honor and duty, on the needs and responsibilities of society, and of the brutality (necessary or not) of war. ( )

Les pages, tout à fait à la fin, où Leonidas explique à la femme pourquoi son mari et son fils ont tous deux été choisis pour faire partie des 300 (et donc, être sacrifiés), sont **exceptionnelles** ( )

Really fascinating novel of the Spartans and other Greeks and the last stand of the 300 at the narrow pass of Thermopylae in the late 400s BC in their fight against the Persians and allies of Xerxes. Offers good insight into their training, philosophy, and virtues of brotherhood, honor, etc. Some foul language and very bloody fighting could be a drawback for some readers. I would definitely read it again. ( )

A novelization of the Battle of Thermopylae, with an extensive fictional background for the main character.

Yeah. So. I read about half and skimmed the rest. Not my jam. My two big issues with it: 1) It's way too graphic and violent for me, which, admittedly, is very much an "it's not you, it's me" thing, because of course a novel about Spartan soldiers and the battle in which nearly every single Greek soldier was killed is going to be violent if it's going to be accurate. But, again, that's not my jam. And 2) Pressfield clearly did his research and good for him, but he seems intent on his readers being constantly aware that he did his research. There is *way* too much detailed explanation of how the Spartans trained their army and the mechanics of the army itself, which is of course fascinating, but belongs in a history text and not a novel. Do the research, yes, and definitely use that research to help you write an accurate and believable story, but please don't regurgitate all that research onto the page. Possibly it was more annoying for me as a Classicist who already knows all the historic details? But I suspect that others would get pulled out of the story by the sheer volume of the stuff, too. The big take-away here: Pressfield is no Madeline Miller (and now I *need* Miller to write a novel about Leonidas). ( )