Steven Pressfield gained mass attention when he wrote the best-selling masterpiece Gates of Fire, but he is a prolific author and has many more—and some arguably better—works than his novel about the Spartans at Thermopylae. I would argue that he is one of the best historic fiction authors of all times. If you only read Gates of Fire or haven’t read anything by him at all, then consider one of his many great books. Here is his best work to date (besides Gates of Fire, maybe):
The Virtues of War: A Novel of Alexander the Great
*Booktard Staff Favorite
The Virtues of War is easily on par with Pressfield’s other magnus opus Gates of Fire. If you enjoyed that novel, then you absolutely must read this historical fiction novel.
Based on Alexander the Great, as seen through his own eyes, this novel tells the tale of his accession to power, as well as the military campaigns that he embarked upon, which were the most ambitious the world had ever seen at that point in history.
But do not think that a novel written about a historical figure is boring; on the contrary, this novel is as action-packed as any adventure novel out there and the amount of detail about this era in history really reflects Pressfield’s mastery of his craft. He certainly did his homework for this novel. A detail anyone that has read a novel by him would already know.
We all learned that Alexander the Great was a heartless conqueror that did atrocious acts of violence. This novel attempts to see the world through his eyes, and give a plausible scenario of what he was thinking, and how he justified the military campaigns he embarked on.
This is an absolute must read for anyone in the military, or interested in historical military campaigns, or for anyone that just wants to be entertained by a good story.
This should be required reading in the Military Academies.
By far Steven Pressfield’s best book in my opinion. With Gates of Fire being a very, very close second! And if you haven’t read that book, then I envy you! Because you now have two great books to read by the master of historical fiction novels: Steven Pressfield.