Virtues of War
 

I recently finished Steven Pressfield's Virtues of War. As you may be aware, Pressfield wrote Gates of Fire and Tides of War, among other books. Virtues of War is about Alexander the Great. The book is fantastic. I would recommend it. Also, if you haven't read Gates of Fire, you're missing a real treat.

Thanks for the recommendation. Welcome to the Board, fellow SoCal.

As an amatuer historian, I find Alexender the Great to be a fascinating subject. Is the book in question readily available? I'd like to get my hands on it.

It was released in October. If you've read much on Alexander the great or seen some of the shit movies recently made, you'll see a broad array of views. However, Steven Pressfield's view makes a lot of sense. Some folks believe an army conquerig the world, crossing the hindu cush, etc. could be led by a homo twit. That these hard core types were led in battle by a momma's boy. I don't see it.

Pressfield shows the brilliance of Alexander and why could do what he did. If you like it, check out gates of fire. The whole Spartan approach to life and battle will blow your mind. Just one quick note. At the battle of thermopoles (sp?) those spartans killed were the nation's nobility. Can you imagine the rockefellers and the Vanderbilts in Iraq?

Actually, he is near the range we use at Raahauge's.

TR

Before I forget, thanks for the welcome, and yes, i'm about 5 minutes from Raahauge's.

Yes, I went to school not far from there and know the area a little. Perhaps I should get out to that range one of these days . . .

Gates of Fire is outstanding. I highly recommend it for Sluggos.

Will check it out - just put it on order.
Thanks.

I wouldn't say it was the nations nobility, King Leonidas hand picked the very best of his army for the Battle of Thermopylae. I haven't read Gates of Fire but I'll look for it tomorrow. Did the Gates of Fire mention anything about the contingent of Thespians and Thebans that stayed behind as well?

Yes it did, as well as the helot troops involved. FWIW, I also enjoyed Tides of War by Pressfield, possibly moreso than Gates of Fire. But YMMV.

Regards,
Aric

Actually in the Gates of Fire, Pressfield explains the methodology behind the folks chosen. I would share it with you, but it would take away from reading the book. I'm not sure if what Pressfield wrote was based upon research or poetic license, but it was pretty interesting.

If his novel is accurate, it was the standard practice for the nobility to fight. They felt it was their obligation, and to shrirk this duty was to be less then a Spartan. One of the issues discussed in the book was derived from their method of fighting. There was great weight given to the question: can I trust this man to be on my left or to be on their my right. Their methodology to test young men going into training was pretty extreme.

I know the nation of Greece has bestow various honors on Pressfield to thank him for the four books he has written. Gives me the impression that he's probably fairly accurate. I know the information contained in Virtues of War is pretty consistent with what I have read about Alexander the Great.

I also liked the Tides of War and learned a lot of interesting information from reading it. I know everyone that I have spoken with who has read Gates of Fire or Virtues of War has really enjoyed them.

If any of the folks on this board make it out this way, please let me know.

Actually, it was a sire call-up.

Yes. Much credit given helots and Thespians.

For those looking for mindset in a story, this is a good one.