• Matterhorn

  • A Novel of the Vietnam War
  • By: Karl Marlantes
  • Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
  • Length: 21 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (9,383 ratings)

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Matterhorn  By  cover art

Matterhorn

By: Karl Marlantes
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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Publisher's summary

An incredible publishing story—written over the course of thirty years by a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, a New York Times bestseller for sixteen weeks, a National Indie Next, and a USA Today bestseller—Matterhorn has been hailed as a "brilliant account of war" (New York Times Book Review).

Matterhorn is an epic war novel in the tradition of Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead and James Jones' The Thin Red Line. It is the timeless story of a young marine lieutenant, Waino Mellas, and his comrades in Bravo Company, who are dropped into the mountain jungle of Vietnam as boys and forced to fight their way into manhood. Standing in their way are not merely the North Vietnamese but also monsoon rain and mud, leeches and tigers, disease and malnutrition. Almost as daunting, it turns out, are the obstacles they discover between each other: racial tension, competing ambitions, and duplicitous superior officers. But when the company finds itself surrounded and outnumbered by a massive enemy regiment, the marines are thrust into the raw and all-consuming terror of combat. The experience will change them forever.

Matterhorn is a visceral and spellbinding novel about what it is like to be a young man at war. It is an unforgettable story that transforms the tragedy of Vietnam into a powerful and universal story of courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice—a parable not only of the war in Vietnam but of all war, and a testament to the redemptive power of literature.

A bonus PDF is included, with maps, a Chain of Command hierarchy, a glossary, and other interesting facts and information.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Karl Marlantes (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

Matterhorn is one of the most powerful and moving novels about combat, the Vietnam War, and war in general that I have ever read.” (Dan Rather)
“Brings a long, torturous war back to life with realistic characters and authentic, thrilling combat sequences.” ( Publishers Weekly)
“Unforgettable.… A beautifully crafted novel of unrivaled authenticity and power, filled with jungle heroism, crackerjack inventiveness, mud, blood, brotherhood, hatred, healing, terror, bureaucracy, politics, unfathomable waste, and unfathomable love." (Christina Robb, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist)

What listeners say about Matterhorn

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enthralling!

I read this awhile back and it took me some to write this review. Yesterday I watched Platoon again on Blu-ray. My memory returned back to the book and its similarities to the movie. This was such an exceptional listen I never wanted this book to end. I was truly captivated by each character and wanted to know how the survivors fared when they returned from the war. It is so hard to imagine that these men were so, so young when they went to war and gave their lives in gruesome numbers. This is the best war book I have ever read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favourite listens

What made the experience of listening to Matterhorn the most enjoyable?

Pinchot was excellent. Character distinction was fantastic. Author's writing very authentic. Dialogue is nuanced and soulful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Matterhorn?

The motives surrounding the fake frag.

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard any of his other performances. Probably will now though.

If you could rename Matterhorn, what would you call it?

Stories my Dad couldn't tell me.

Any additional comments?

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

makes you see how unorganized the military is and how senseless war really is

I was in Viet nam during this time period and in the same areas. Such a tragic waste of lives for no reason at all. Just politics. So many young good amen died and wounded .makes u feel you are there with them. I never give A review. Was so good and real I had to comment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding Narration

Unbelievable job by Bronson Pinchot. I was mesmerized by his reading of this deeply affecting story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of the best

this is one of the best books about the Vietnam War ever written. No matter what anybody says, Pro or con, this book describes in great detail the camaraderie and Brotherhood of men fighting for their country, whether it's right or wrong. describes, quite poignantly, the internal strife that is experienced by many units in the military, perhaps worldwide. it is also a prime example of how men can be killers and it's still love and be human. it shows the the futility of conflict, and how greed can be so costly.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Puts You in the Shit

If you could sum up Matterhorn in three words, what would they be?

Foggy, Frightening, Fierce

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vancouver, because he carries a sawed-off M-60.

What does Bronson Pinchot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Accents are great. I especially love Jackson.

If you could rename Matterhorn, what would you call it?

Jungle Rot

Any additional comments?

When I listen to this book, I am not in traffic on the Long Island Expressway, but rather marching tired in a hot jungle with leaches sucking blood from my neck. Not sure which is worse.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Deeply moving

If it's good enough for JJ, Kos, Van, Weatherbee, Aaron, Tyson, DBW, Dunham, Yale, Haerter, Crowley, Legit, Sharpman, Abomb, and Dunn then it's good enough for me.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Vietnam War Novel about Marine Infantry

I respect Stone’s early novel “Platoon”. I wish this work would had been adapted and widely received instead. But this is about Marines and racism and political polarities and and all the world of trouble we lived. And it is about a brotherhood that can only be referenced by the uninitiated. Read it!
Thanks

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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AMAZING

this was expertly written and read. more history should be written in this way.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book!

What did you love best about Matterhorn?

I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!

What did you like best about this story?

I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!

What does Bronson Pinchot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!

If you could take any character from Matterhorn out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!

Any additional comments?

I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!
I love the book!

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