Steven Pressfield

Steven Pressfield is an American author of historical fiction, military novels and works on creativity and discipline. He is best known for novels set in the ancient world, particularly Gates of Fire, which recounts the Battle of Thermopylae through the experiences of the Spartan army. His fiction often examines warfare, leadership, courage and the psychological demands placed on soldiers and commanders.

Pressfield’s other historical novels include Tides of War, The Afghan Campaign and The Virtues of War, while The Legend of Bagger Vance brought him wider recognition and was later adapted for film. He has also written influential non-fiction books such as The War of Art, in which he explores resistance, persistence and the discipline required for creative work.