Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West Paperback – Illustrated, June 12, 2007

A little more than a year ago, I read the Iliad for the first time as an adult, for no other reason than my own entertainment. I was at once bitten by the ancient Greek bug and set out to obtain the classical education I somehow missed in high school and college. I pursued this by taking a few Teaching Company audio courses, reading primary sources of the ancients -- Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides -- as well as the best popular and scholarly books I could find to elucidate the various eras of ancient Greek civilization. One of the latter certainly is Tom Holland's Persian Fire.I came to Persian Fire with a decent background in the overall theme, and I read Herodotus in tandem with it through much of the book, but Holland's treatment enhanced everything I had absorbed prior because he approached the subject with a regional theme. It would be difficult to comprehend the foreign policy of the United States in the latter half of the 20th century without a fairly comprehensive background in the history of the Soviet Union; yet most historians of early fifth century Greece provide scant attention to the foe that most defined their political culture, the Persians they referred to sometimes pejoratively as "the Mede." Holland's work is superior from the get-go because he takes the regional approach most period treatments gloss over.For those who want to delve right in to the Greco-Persian conflict, patience is in order as Holland sets the stage with an extremely well written background history not only of chief Hellenic city-states Athens and Sparta, but most importantly the origins of Persian rule -- and all of that takes us -- sometimes breathlessly with the gusto of a great author in love with his subject -- to an account of Mediterranean geo-politics on the eve of the conflict. I got more of the sense of the ancient world at the time from Holland than any other single work I had read previously.Unlike many contemporary historians of the ancient world like Kagan, Holland deliberately avoids trying to fit the themes and the conflicts of 2500 years ago into today's foreign policies, but -- remarkably so -- he does manage to interpret the actions of the key players into the sometimes Machiavellian power politics characteristic of states throughout recorded history. No other work I have encountered brings marble figures like Themistocles and Aristides to flesh-and-blood life, warts and all, the way Holland does in this book.A great read, in every way. Lots of material and not a boring spot in the story. I'll probably re-read it again someday. If you have any interest at all in the ancient Greek world, don't miss this one!

A story almost too big and impactful to fit within these few pages.Holland has accomplished something truly remarkable here. Each of the many historical and mythological characters comes to vibrant life, and for the combatants - often a crushing flesh and bones death.Hubris, nemesis, bitter infighting among allies, fearless bravery and courage in the face of certain annihilation, Spartan pride, Athenian arrogance, spy-craft, political scandals, bribery, deceitful murder and the ultimate sacrifice of willingly giving up your life for your family, your comrades and your country. It is all here. All faithfully re-told by Holland.One of the most accessible, engaging and unforgettable accounts of the Persian-Greek wars. I could not recommend it more highly.Truly a masterful effort!

In "Persian Fire", author Tom Holland recounts the conflict between the great empire of Persia and the Greek world that a great many would argue changed world history and could have altered world history in ways we couldn't even imagine had the Persians prevailed.The author "sets the stage" with a history of the Medo-Persians who came down from the mountains and uplands of what is today Iran and Turkey to defeat the Assyrians and conquer the "known world". So, with the defeat of the Egyptians, the Persian empire stretched from India to Africa. Holland recounts revolt of the Ionian cities which brought the Persians into conflict with the Greeks and served as the impetus for the Persian invasion of Europe.This book is very much centered on the Persian perspective, chronicling the ascendancy of first the Medes and then the Persians. He looks at Zoroastrianism and it's influence on the thinking of Persian monarchs. The book essentially follows the Persians and their expansion which inevitable brought them into Europe.In other ways, it's well-plowed ground, recounting the battles between the Persians and the Greeks beginning with the first invasion under Darius which ended at Marathon and expanding with the campaign commanded by Xerxes with highlights at Thermopylae, the sea battles off Artemesium and Salamis as well as the final act at Plataea where the Persian threat ended.It's a good retelling of the History of the conflict - especially if you want more from the Persian perspective and with more of their history. I admit if given a choice, I'd recommend  Thermopylae: The Battle For The West  by Ernle Bradford who writes more from the Greek point of view as well as being written in a more engaging style even including some wry humor here and there.Once again, a good book from the Persian POV, but well-plowed ground that's been done before and a little better. Four stars.

I purchased this book 7 years ago, but just could not get going with it. The beginning is slow and I kept getting confused with the Persian figures and power centres. Babylon, Sardis, Nineveh, etc. So I put it aside.A few weeks ago I picked it up from my To Read pile and it became much easier to follow. For some reason I thought it was going to be a history of Persia; Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes; you know, the bad boys of Iran. But this is really about the overreach of a great empire, hubris, and the saving of an infant democracy.Holland writes with intensity, and gritty with details. Once he gets to the chapter on Sparta, he gets his stride and the book moves quickly, almost overwhelming us with the smells, sights, feel, of the blood, sweat and tears to use a cliche, of the massive coiiision of warriors on land and at sea. You really do sense that you are there at Marathon, a closterphobic Thermopylae, burning Athens, and the chaotic sea battle at Salamis.I should note the author's style here. There is a tone of sarcasm and irony, which makes for a fresh view of these distant events. Events that shape our civilization today. "Men, women, children, horses, waterfowl: none could elude the meticulous prescriptions of Darius' bureaucrats." or "All of which, of course, was to cast the Peloponnesians as hapless stooges. No wonder that the Athenians, in the years to come, would enjoy harping on the story."And one cannot but compare those events to current ones. The new democracy of Ukraine fighting for its very existence against another autocratic super power with imperial ambitions. Weii, I am sure Kyiv could take inspiration and hope from historic events in this book. The Greeks, ever argumentative and backstabbing amongst themselves, traitors in their midst, inconvenient festivals to be honoured, tiny in comparison to their neighbours, should not have beaten the dazzling global power of Persia. But they did. Not once, not twice, but three times.Sometimes great leaders arise at the moment they are most needed to the surprise of everyone. Themistocles then, Zelenski today.

Um livro rico e fascinante de ler.

A typical Tom Holland. Full of interesting facts and stories, well told in the tradition of british "narrative history". Tom Holland combines the best abilities of a scholar and a writer. When I read such a book, I am often surprised how entertaining it can be to learn about ancient history. One of my favourite books from the last decade.

History as well told narrative underpinned by historical detail and brilliant writing. The reconstruction of the rise and reign of the Persian Empire, and its attempts to conquer its nemesis Athens, Sparta and surrounding Greek cities, is an enthralling narrative of power, vision, endurance and ultimately, failure. Darius, then his son Xerxes, are portrayed against the vast panoply of Persian military capacity. The details of how power is gained, exerted and lost, gives an insight into human hubris and human courage on both sides of the Persian-Greek wars.A large part of my own interest is the insight Holland gives to those parts of the Bible whose historical context is the Persian Empire, and its dealings with the people of Israel and the small land of Judah. Esther, and Ezra and Nehemiah, and Daniel are all deeply rooted in the soil of Empire. Holland provides invaluable background, not only in the fascinating details of the Royal court, but by drawing the reader into the ethos, cultural and religious assumptions of Persia. But whether or not the reader is interested in biblical background, this is ancient history as it should be written - reliable, readable, authoritative and driven by the narrative of history itself.

rather too much historical facts .Not enough story to hold reader