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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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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However, Tides Of War is much different. 'Mature' is a word used by other reviewers, and it sums it up quite neatly I think. Whereas Gates Of Fire was hardpacked action most of all, Tides Of Was is much more into the psychological aspects of the events, and focuses on it's characters rather than the story. Oh, not that there isn't action, cause there's plenty, but there's much more to it.
First time I read this novel, I was very sceptical - for the very same reasons as mentioned above. It was not until I was something like two thirds through the book that it really made it's impact on me. However, once I had finished this book, I couldn't put it out of my head. It's got so many fascinating aspects of the human psyche and how the individuals clear thought becomes clouded by the persuasive pull of the mass hysteria. One might argue that the character of Alcibiades is glorified here, and he might be, but that's somewhat besides the point - the point is, that this story brings numerous examples of how the genious is pulled down by the lessers envy and greed, which in the end is bad for everyone, even the ones who did it. That's the real tragedy of human history that has been repeated time after time.
Oh, and don't forget, this tells the story of one of the most important wars in western civilization history. Go play with the thought of what might've happened if Alcibiades had been allowed to pull of the attack on Syracuse, and had defeated the Spartans. It's not beside the point to say that the world as we now it today had probably been an entirely different place!
This is not easy reading, but it is highly recommended for everyone! It is more than well worth the effort.
Overall rating: 10 / 10
Like in life, Pressfield's characters are varying shades of grey - deeply flawed, making valiant attempts at self-justification.
The background to this tale, the Peloponnesian war, is a difficult conflict to comprehend. In effect a civil war, one doesn't expect outrageous acts of heroism similar to those described in Pressfield's depiction of the Persian wars. Add to this the remarkably complex character of Alcibiades and the uneasy decline of the principal nation states of Athens and Sparta.
What the author has achieved is remarkable: he breathes life into an ancient and distant culture, made the crazy decisions of the Athenian powers seem plausible, and turned the central character into a slightly deluded superstar of his time.
I think this was a difficult work for Pressfied to create, but he has pulled it off.
Pressfield brings out the character of one of the most enigmatic and capable generals/leaders in... Read more
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