Tides of War - Softcover

Pressfield, Steven

3.92

4,872 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0385601646 ISBN 13: 9780385601641

Publisher: Doubleday, 2000

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A protege of Socrates and living effigy to the Demi-God Achilles, the universally-renowned Alcibiades was a terrifying foe and a priceless friend. His unequalled military genius determined the outcome of the shocking and monumental 27-year civil war between Spart and Athens in the 5th century BC.

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Review:

If readers of epic historical fiction are influenced in their literary choices by successful films in the genre, then the timing of Steven Pressfield's Tides of War could not be better, with the cinematic release of Ridley Scott's Gladiator. Ironically, the very qualities that distinguish Scott's movie are here in greater concentration: tremendous historical sweep; strong, well-defined characters and bloody confrontations. The one area in which Pressfield definitely possesses the edge, though, is the fierce intelligence and rigorous authenticity of his remarkable book. As a picture of the ancient world, it is nigh unbeatable but it is the characterisation of the soldier protagonist Alcibiades (who becomes a central figure in the war between Athens and Sparta) that is Pressfield's greatest achievement.

Alcibiades is a brilliantly wrought conflation of ancient and modern sensibilities, the perfect conduit into this savage world. On the battlefield, Alcibiades has never known defeat but his success has created ill feeling among his political opponents in Athens. A trumped-up charge of treason forces him to flee to Sparta, where he engineers a series of military triumphs. However, his heart lies in Athens and, through a series of savage confrontations (both on the battlefield and in the equally dangerous political arena), he moves inexorably towards his unwritten destiny. It will be no surprise to the readers of the equally impressive Gates of Fire that this exuberant panoply of a far-off age is so luminously rendered. --Barry Forshaw

Review:

"PRAISE FOR TIDES OF WAR: 'The very qualities that distinguish Ridley Scott's Gladiator are here in greater concentration...it is nigh unbeatable'" (Amazon.co.uk)

"'Extraordinary...Pressfield produces an even greater spectacle - and, in its honest, incremental way, an even greater heart-tugger - than in his acclaimed tale of the battle of Thermopylae ...The political complexities between Sparta and Athens, not to mention the cultural competition between them, are handled with a clarity that enlightens and captivates the reader at once...On every page are colour, splendour, sorrow, the unforgiving details of battle, daily life, and of the fighter's lot. Unashamedly brilliant, epic, intelligent, and moving'" (Kirkus Reviews)

"'Pressfield has an impressive grasp of military history and an even more impressive ability to convey his passion in print. His battlefield scenes rank with the most convincing ever written - you can almost feel the slash of sword on skin and sense the shattering mix of panic, bravery, blood lust and despair'" (USA Today)

"'Every inch the equal of its predecessor' Publishing News 'A brilliant evocation of an heroic age...which sets alight the imagination and which thrills the soul with the trumpet tone of battle'" (Northern Echo)

"'Brings the destruction of ancient Athens vividly to life...Steven Pressfield has literally bookended the golden age of classic Greece...He continues to excel in depth of research, humanization of antiquity and power of description'" (Los Angeles Times)

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