Tides of War

By: Steven Pressfield

Narrated by: Derek Jacobi

The Peloponnesian War, one of history’s most pivotal conflicts, comes to vibrant life in this “unabashedly brilliant, epic, intelligent, and moving” (Kirkus Reviews) novel from the bestselling author of Gates of Fire.

“Pressfield’s battlefield scenes rank with the most convincing ever written.”—USA Today

Brilliant at war, a master of politics, and a charismatic lover, Alcibiades was Athens’ favorite son and the city’s greatest general.

A prodigal follower of Socrates, he embodied both the best and the worst of the Golden Age of Greece. A commander on both land and sea, he led his armies to victory after victory.

But like the heroes in a great Greek tragedy, he was a victim of his own pride, arrogance, excess, and ambition. Accused of crimes against the state, he was banished from his beloved Athens, only to take up arms in the service of his former enemies.

For nearly three decades, Greece burned with war and Alcibiades helped bring victories to both sides—and ended up trusted by neither.

Narrated from death row by Alcibiades’ bodyguard and assassin, a man whose own love and loathing for his former commander mirrors the mixed emotions felt by all Athens, Tides of War is an epic saga of an extraordinary century, a war that changed history, and a complex leader who seduced a nation.©2000 Steven Pressfield; (P)2000 Random House, Inc.; Jacket Illustration by John Blackford; Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Pressfield’s battlefield scenes rank with the most convincing ever written.”—USA Today

“Pressfield serves up not just hair-raising battle scenes . . . but many moments of valor and cowardice, lust and bawdy humor. . . . Even more impressively, he delivers a nuanced portrait of ancient Athens.”—Esquire

“Unabashedly brilliant, epic, intelligent, and moving.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Pressfield’s attention to historic detail is exquisite. . . . This novel will remain with the reader long after the final chapter is finished.”—Library Journal

“[An] astounding, historically accurate tale . . . Pressfield is a master storyteller, especially adept in his graphic and embracing descriptions of the land and naval battles, political intrigues and colorful personalities, which come together in an intense and credible portrait of war-torn Greece.”—Publishers Weekly

“On every page are color, splendor, sorrow, the unforgiving details of battle, daily life, and of the fighter’s lot. . . . Pressfield produces an even greater spectacle—and, in its honest, incremental way, an even greater heart-tugger, than in his acclaimed tale of the battle of Thermopylae, Gates of Fire.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[Pressfield] continues to excel in depth of research, humanization of antiquity, and power of description.”—Los Angeles Times

“While Pressfield excels at portraying battles and naval contests, the whole pivotal era leaps to life under his skilled and exciting pen.”—Booknews

“It’s a painful tale to read, but the very pain is testimony to Pressfield’s ability to make us feel and believe in his re-creation of the Greek world. Like all great historical fiction, he does not alter the facts, but merely illuminates them with enlightened speculation. Pressfield ends his story with a reminder that his story is fiction, not history. It’s a necessary reminder. After living in his world for 400 pages, it’s difficult to believe it’s not the real thing.”—The Herald-Sun

Fantastic Journey

I recommend this to all who seek adventure and want to be immersed in what was, Greece.

An interesting tale

Great, lively writing and a terrific performance. Pressfield and Jacoby bring to life what must have been like to be a citizen/soldier of Athens during the Peloponnesian war.

Amazing book except that it’s ABRIDGED

I recommend you buy the book in print instead of audio. This is one of my favorite books, and Derek Jacobi does an incredible job as the narrator.

Sadly, its heavily abridged to the point that many crucial parts of the story and character development have been cut. Despite incredible narration, this was a big disappointment. I’ve read the print edition a few times and the story is much worse off without the missing parts.

A master storyteller

Steven Pressfield is better known for another great story, The Legend of Bagger Vance. In Tides of War, Pressfield also shows that he is a masterful storyteller, with history, characters, plots and sub-plots all entertwined but all progressing throughout the story.

high-quality fiction

Pressfield brings Alexander to life in bright detail. Perhaps his Alexander is more perfect than the real specimen - but if so, it is only justifiable in service to Alexander's daimon.