Persian Fire

Tom Holland tells the story of the first world empire and its clash with the Greek city-states at the pace of a novel. Unusually, he spends the first third of the book in Persia, explaining how Cyrus and Darius built their empire and how it saw the world, so that when Xerxes crosses the Hellespont, readers understand both sides.

The accounts of Marathon, Thermopylae and Salamis are superb, drawing heavily on Herodotus but enriched with modern research. Holland is particularly good on Sparta, a society both admirable and chilling.

Some historians feel he occasionally favours drama over nuance, and the framing of a battle for the West is a little grand. But as an introduction to the period it is hard to beat.

Our verdict

Highly readable and well researched. Perfect for anyone who enjoyed 300 and wants the real story.