Written by Steven Pressfield, “Gates of Fire” is the story of the Battle of Thermopylae within the Persian Wars. However, it is also about so much more. If you’ve seen the movie “300”, then you are familiar with the general story, although this book goes much deeper into the backstory leading up to the battle. The book is a factual recounting of historical events told through fictionalized individual stories. The most fitting thing I can say about this book is that I was crushed it had to end. It is simply amazing and ridiculously enthralling.

At 531 pages or approximately 15 hours, it is a long read, but you’ll ultimately wish it was longer.