Award-winning novelist and historian Helena P. Schrader has brought
Leonidas and Gorgo back to life in a three-part biographical
novel. Based on the known facts and the sayings
attributed to
Leonidas and Gorgo, Schrader had developed engaging characters and set
them in a well-researched but refreshingly colorful and multifaceted
Sparta. The three books in this trilogy focus on
the life of
Leonidas rather than his death and give Gorgo her due place in his life
and history as political partner, devoted wife, and lover.
This is Sparta!
As you’ve never seen it Before
Book II of the
Leonidas Trilogy, "A
Peerless Peer" is now available: From
the
start, the reader is drawn into Leonidas and Gorgo’s
world. The reader experiences the hardship of a Spartan
upbringing
without self-pity, and feels the disappointment of Gorgo as she
realizes she is not and never will be a beauty. The
reader
learns with Leonidas about the responsibilities of citizenship and the
joys and pains of love. The reader takes part in
hoplite
warfare on land and the witnesses the clash of triremes at sea.
The
reader is caught up in the deadly rivalries that plague the Agiad royal
family and watch the creeping madness of Gorgo’s father take
its toll. Yet all the while, like rolling thunder,
the
Persian threat grows and approaches and descends, until it blots out
all other worries and concerns and calls Leonidas to his destiny at
Thermopylae.
"Spend
a few bucks and enjoy this fast and interesting read. I had
no pre concieved notions of this being a "prequel" to the "300" film.
I went into this well written story with an open mind as to
content and style. I must say I coulodn't wait to get home
from work and turn my Kindle on to get to the next chapter.
That is so rare with historical fiction."
"Her
literary style, superb character development, and creative imagination
combine to draw the reader into this compelling story. I
especially valued her ability to convey growth in maturity in Leonidas
and his friend Alkander as they dealt with the pathos of the death
within the family, and the inequity and injustice of politics and
society."
"My
Mom got me this book and told me to try it, I started reading it last
night and in less than a day I finished it, I couldnt put it down.
This is an excellent book that will appeal to both those who
are interested in history and fictional works. I cant wait
for the next two in the series. Again let me stress I rarely
read fiction, this book is superb!"
"Helena P. Schrader has,
in "Leonidas of Sparta: A Boy of the Agoge", prescribed a welcome
antidote to the skewed visions of ancient Sparta put forth in works
such as "Gates of Fire" and "300". If you have an interest in
the real Sparta, without supermen in capes and Speedos, then this is a
book for you. "
"Helena Schrader has in
this book fulfilled her introductory promise to look at Spartan life
from a completely different position.... Spartans were in reality far
from being a mob of unthinking automatons capable of functioning only
under orders and in fear of draconian punishment. There was
music, poetry, art, and actual thought in archaic and classic Sparta
and Ms Schrader brings all this out beautifully. Despite the
difference of some 2500 years, as a former career Army officer I could
readily relate to Leonidas' struggles and to the overall training
effort as well. Ms Shrader has succeeded with this book and I
hope that we will have the opportunity soon to read her works on the
rest of Leonidas' life."
“It
is
a masterful feat when a writer can engross the reader into the very
depths of the story to the point that they are oblivious to the
profundity of knowledge they are gaining. Helena P. Schrader
accomplishes just that….”
Schrader holds a PhD in History and has been
published
in academic journals on Sparta. She provides detailed
historical notes explaining her interpretation of the known facts and a
useful list of references.
Book II of the
Leonidas Trilogy, 
