\'Gates of Fire\' By Steven Pressfield

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

the foul language detracted from the heroics and made me dislike some of the characters. Of course hoplites and legionaries used obscene language (read Aristophanes or the legends on the sling bullets from Perusia), but I think Pressfield should have moderated the language. He has demeaned a great moment in history.

Also, it is a very lazy way to write. ‘F***’ this and that, is simply filler. It is a lot harder to think up a decent insult or curse without resorting to the F-word.

I love you Ross!! You really hit the nail on the head. (BTW, I enjoyed Imperial Roman legionary AD 161-284)

I'm not opposed to swearing in books, but yes it was all too distracting. And before anyone mentions it ... no, I don't think they should be speaking flowery, Shakespearean or Victorian prose either!

However, this doesn't mean that I avoid Pressfield's books altogether - I've been meaning to read "Last of the Amazons".

It's not too bad.... :lol:

But I think the point of the book is more to emphasis the fact that the 'heroics' were not such high minded ideals, but rather bloody deeds, by men who had a bloody mind set, of necessity, not because they were chasing some high minded ideal...other than survival of their culture... :?