This book doesn't limit itself to the significant, but limited action at the Hot Gates. It covers the entire Persian campaign from crossing the Hellespont to Plataea. Incredible. I grew up on hard books, but I could not put this "book" down. I really enjoyed the author's analysis of Herodotus writings regarding the barbarism of the Persians and the incredible numbers of ships and men at Xerses command. And he provides reasons for disagreeing. There is a great deal of speculation but much of it is completely reasonable. Another nugget in this book is about how so few Greeks could defeat so many Persians. Of course, there was terrain like at Thermopylae and even at Salamis. But it was largely technology, Greek armor against virtually unarmored Persians. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended.