--- product_id: 1706089 title: "Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West" price: "154.23 DT" currency: TND in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/1706089-persian-fire-the-first-world-empire-and-the-battle-west store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West **Price:** 154.23 DT **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West - **How much does it cost?** 154.23 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/1706089-persian-fire-the-first-world-empire-and-the-battle-west) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description A “sweeping popular account” ( The Seattle Times ) of how Athens and Sparta withstood an assault from the Persian Empire in the cradle of Western civilization, from the acclaimed author of Rubicon and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest Is History “Excellent. . . . There is an even handedness in Holland’s treatment of both Greek and Persian cultural riches that is rare in popular accounts of these wars.” — The Sunday Times (London) In the fifth century B.C., a global superpower was determined to bring truth and order to what it regarded as two terrorist states. The superpower was Persia, incomparably rich in ambition, gold, and men. The terrorist states were Athens and Sparta, eccentric cities in a poor and mountainous backwater: Greece. The story of how their citizens took on the Great King of Persia, and thereby saved not only themselves but Western civilization as well, is as heart-stopping and fateful as any episode in history. Tom Holland’s brilliant study of these critical Persian Wars skillfully examines a conflict of critical importance to both ancient and modern history. Review: Holland is Strong - Holland's book is the most enticing account on Marathon. I have five other histories on the battle, ranging from a title by a military scholar to recent popular entries and Holland is superior across the board. He still hits the same points of argument all histories do since Herodotus but I am hunting down a Folio Society edition for the bookshelf because Holland's style is exemplary and I plan to reread it in the years to come. That is rare for me. Holland's talent reminds me of Arthur Schlesinger. What a talented writer and tremendous book. Review: History made fun - Once again, Holland produces another exciting and readable history of the ancient world. This book covers the period of the early 400s BC, although it provides useful background on the Persian empire, Sparta, and Athens. While Holland rightly claims the battle was crucial in preserving Western civilization, he does try to allow the reader into the Persian mind. His introduction highlights the Persian empire's multi-ethnic nature and superpower status, making it somewhat analogous to America (as opposed to the chauvinistic, petty Greeks). One of the things Holland does well is use modern terms to describe ancient politics, making them more accessible to the modern reader. For example, in the introduction he describes the Greeks, from the Persian point of view, as terrorist states. He also accepts that the protagonists on both sides held certain religious/philosophical beliefs that cannot be left out of the narrative. For example, he incorporates the Gods into his story when it is clear Greek soldiers viewed the Gods as a source of woe or fortune. A cautionary note: if you tend to be bored by history, this book is not for you. Some of the other reviewers complained about the abundance of names and dates. However, this is necessary as Holland has a complicated story to tell spanning decades. On the other hand, if you are curious about history but bored by standard history textbooks or more academic pieces, this is a good, readable synthesis of the history. I should also caution that I am only a casual student of history, so I cannot verify that all of the facts in the book are true. Holland probably could not either since records of history during this time are so sketchy anyway. There is legitimate debate over other historical facts. Even if one or two tiny details are historically debatable (and so far as I can tell they are not), this book will hopefully educate more readers about the ancient world and an important war that shaped Western civilization. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #34,604 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #8 in Ancient Greek History (Books) #13 in Iran History #37 in History of Civilization & Culture | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,050 Reviews | ## Images ![Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71pLQb1GGSL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Holland is Strong *by P***R on February 13, 2026* Holland's book is the most enticing account on Marathon. I have five other histories on the battle, ranging from a title by a military scholar to recent popular entries and Holland is superior across the board. He still hits the same points of argument all histories do since Herodotus but I am hunting down a Folio Society edition for the bookshelf because Holland's style is exemplary and I plan to reread it in the years to come. That is rare for me. Holland's talent reminds me of Arthur Schlesinger. What a talented writer and tremendous book. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ History made fun *by A***D on February 3, 2009* Once again, Holland produces another exciting and readable history of the ancient world. This book covers the period of the early 400s BC, although it provides useful background on the Persian empire, Sparta, and Athens. While Holland rightly claims the battle was crucial in preserving Western civilization, he does try to allow the reader into the Persian mind. His introduction highlights the Persian empire's multi-ethnic nature and superpower status, making it somewhat analogous to America (as opposed to the chauvinistic, petty Greeks). One of the things Holland does well is use modern terms to describe ancient politics, making them more accessible to the modern reader. For example, in the introduction he describes the Greeks, from the Persian point of view, as terrorist states. He also accepts that the protagonists on both sides held certain religious/philosophical beliefs that cannot be left out of the narrative. For example, he incorporates the Gods into his story when it is clear Greek soldiers viewed the Gods as a source of woe or fortune. A cautionary note: if you tend to be bored by history, this book is not for you. Some of the other reviewers complained about the abundance of names and dates. However, this is necessary as Holland has a complicated story to tell spanning decades. On the other hand, if you are curious about history but bored by standard history textbooks or more academic pieces, this is a good, readable synthesis of the history. I should also caution that I am only a casual student of history, so I cannot verify that all of the facts in the book are true. Holland probably could not either since records of history during this time are so sketchy anyway. There is legitimate debate over other historical facts. Even if one or two tiny details are historically debatable (and so far as I can tell they are not), this book will hopefully educate more readers about the ancient world and an important war that shaped Western civilization. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Though a poor example of popular history, it covers the subject *by S***O on July 31, 2013* A word of warning to readers of fiction who want to try popular history: This is not a good sample. Even as an experienced reader of history, I had to occasionally slow down and repeat a sentence to comprehend it. Why? PERSIAN FIRE has an overabundance of long awkwardly constructed sentences. And it is verbose. I understand that ancient history presents a problem. Because source materials are scant, how can an author fill up enough pages to make a publishable book? Still, I prefer a short book that is to the point, over a long one with decorative words that clutter the mind. Unfortunately I cannot recommend something that is easier to read and equally informative of the subject. But if you can sift through Tom Holland's ostentatious prose, you will take home some shiny baubles. The three main characters are not persons, they are states: Persia, Sparta, and Athens, chronicled from birth to maturity. From the white horses and Great King Xerxes of Persia, to the polished shields and King Leonides of Sparta, to Themistocles and the democratic people of Athens--this is a variegated, fleshed-out epic. You have probably already heard at least a little about two of this story's legendary fields of play: Marathon and Thermopylae. Now Mr. Holland can invigorate you with the details. For extras, he provides an ample selection of photos, plenty of footnotes, and a long bibliography. His maps are tight with the text, though for quick reference you may want to paperclip the page with the "List of Maps." This can be a rewarding book for the determined reader. But unless you are specifically interested in the Greco-Persian wars, popular history is better exemplified by other works. I mean works that are easier to read. You could try something by David McCullough, Robert K. Massie, or Barbara W. Tuchman. Less reputable but even easier to read are works by John Toland, Stephen E. Ambrose, and Diana Preston. PERSIAN FIRE proves that a good subject is not enough for five stars, which I would have awarded if the style had been simpler and more humble. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/1706089-persian-fire-the-first-world-empire-and-the-battle-west](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/1706089-persian-fire-the-first-world-empire-and-the-battle-west) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-06-07*