Thermopylae: The Battle for the West

by Ernle Bradford

Book Overview

An impressively accessible narrative depicting the three-day battle for the pass at Thermopylae (the Hot Gates)--a critical contest in Xerxes's massive invasion of Greece. The bloody stand made there by Leonidas and his small Spartan army in 480 B.C. has been hailed ever since as an outstanding example of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306813602
• ISBN13: 9780306813603
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Superbly researched and written

Thermopylae: The Battle for the West by Ernle Bradford is truly a marvelous work dealing with a moment in history that forever changed everything that came after. With Xerxes and the Persian army set to invade Greece, the Greeks had little time to plan a defense. The Spartan King Leonidas and a small contingent of Spartan hoplites along with about 7000 other Greeks rushed to the pass of Thermopylae to engage and delay the Persian invasion. The intent wasn't to defeat the invading army but to buy time....to fight a delaying action. Bradford does a terrific job at telling this classic story anew. After Xerxes learns of a hidden path by which he could circle into the Greek's rear, the cause at Thermopylae was doomed. Leonidas, his Spartans, and a small group of Thespians stay behind to fight a delaying action allowing the other Greeks to flee to the south and live to fight another day. In the end Xerxes failed in his invasion plans. He did burn Athens but he lost the naval battle at Salamis which forced his withdrawl from Greece and Greek culture was saved. So why all the attention on this battle fought so long ago? Just as the struggle forced by Xerxes upon the ancient Greeks saved western civilization in the end, many feel that we're locked in a similar struggle today. That discussion isn't for this space, but keep in mind current events as you read Thermopylae: The Battle for the West. I strongly recommend this work.

Thermopylae - Excellence in Leadership.

After reading several accounts of the brave fallback action by King Leonidas & 300 of his best Spartan soldiers, I consider this well written account by the former British Navel officer Ernie Bradford "The Gold Standard". Few writers have condensed into words the significance of the courage shown at Thermopylae like author Ernie Bradford.

Guardians of history

The battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C.E. has usually been relegated by modern historians to being nothing more than a "symbolic gesture" of Greek resolve during the Persian war. Although it WAS that, it was also much, much more. The importance of this present book is that it sets the matter straight. The sub-title of the work is in no way an exaggeration. The 300 Spartans + the allies who held the pass @ Thermopylae protected the Greek fleet at Artemesium and bought time for the armada to mobilize at Salamis. The importance of this cannot be over-stated.In this treatise, Ernle Bradford takes us back to that long-ago period of world history. Much more than being simply an extrapolation of Book VII of Herodotus' HISTORIES, here is a study that offers a superb look at the weapons, armor, ships, tactics and logistical difficulties of both the Greeks and Persians. The attention Bradford pays to the minutest details of the classical historians allows him to reason out conclusions that may not have been evident upon a first-reading.Beyond Thermopylae, Bradford also has brief discussions of both Salamis and Platea. The over-all thrust of the book, however, is to put into context just how pivotal Thermopylae actually was in reference to these other, more well known battles. While the parallels that he draws between the Persian war and World War II are occasionally a bit strained, it must be remembered that it is a typical method employed by military historians to draw comparisons and contrasts between ancient conflicts and those of his own day. As Bradford fought in WWII himself, it is natural that he should use it as a frame-of-reference for how he perceives warfare throughout the ages.This book is HIGHLY recommended as standard-reading for all War-colleges, persons interested in classical history and (most of all) those who have more than a passing-curiousity about the Spartans. As your head hits the pillow tonight, remember that some 2,500 years ago 300 Spartans stood on a wall & fought to the last man in a battle that they knew they could not win. They left their beloved Sparta KNOWING that they would never see it again. They were aware that their life only had a few sunrises left in it, yet this did not slow their march to Thermopylae for even a moment. It is because of their sacrifice that you are where you are today; defenders of the pass. Guardians of history.

Perfect Companion to "Gates of Fire"

Somewhere in my youth, I became hooked on ancient Greek History after catching the "300 Spartans" matinee (I think Richard Elam was Leonidas). Several years ago, I read Steven Pressfield's "Gates of Fire." I found it fascinating and consider it today, the best book I have ever read. I just finished Bradford's "Thermopylae: Battle for the West." Mesmerizing! An absolutely perfect, non-fiction companion to "Gates of Fire." Thermopylae actually occurs about halfway through the book. Bradford does a brilliant job of setting the stage by giving the reader the events, politics, personalities, strategies, etc. that led up to the battle. He finishes his book by taking the reader through the key engagements (like Salamis and Plataea) that conclude this crossroads in history. If you enjoy ancient history (particularly ancient, military history), this is a book for you. It's an easy read through 250 pages packed with details and incidents that are sure to capture your interest.