Matterhorn

A Novel of the Vietnam War

By: Karl Marlantes

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 21 hrs and 11 mins

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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©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)

Great Listen

It took me a while to get around to this one. I am glade I did. Pinchot does a great job narrating and the story keep my attention the whole time.

Liked it

Quite a riveting story but a bit repetitive at parts. I would have edited out approximately 20% . The narration was excellent

1st military based book

Matterhorn was the 1st book I've read/listened to that involved the military. I was not disappointed! I have a new found respect for the soldiers of the Vietnam war and what they endured. My curiosity has been peaked and so I'm looking for more books of this type. Guaranteed you will not be disappointed by this book!!

Equal footing with greatest war novels of all time

Thank you Karl Marlantes for writing this riveting book. This is the "All Quiet on the Western Front" of our time. Thank you as well Bronson Pinchot for an amazing verbal interpretation. I had to pause listening from time to time because of the intensity and to absorb the visual images created by Mr. Marlantes. Of the 50 or so audio books I have listened to the only other that compared is "The Old Man and the Sea" written by Hemmingway and read by Donald Sutherland. You will be amazed by "Matterhorn."

phenomenal story telling fantastically read

the author brings "the Bush" of Vietnam alive with men who struggle to find meaning in the insanity of war. the narrative is powerful, moving and occasionally hilarious. the ultimate message is as profound as it is timeless. but I'll let the reader discover it for themselves. a beautiful book

Good story.

Bittersweet tale with great characters who are easy to like. Not the best writing in the world, but the story is a good one and shines through.

Matterhorn

Very solid book that reflects the irony of combat. Notes the brotherhood that is developed within an infantry company.

A gripping story of war beautifully performed.

This book brings alive the terror of war and the bravery of the Marines who fought in Vietnam, along with the absolute futility of the American involvement there.

Matterhorn

It has been a long time since I carried the title of Sgt. 0311 in 1stBat 5th Marines. And while I did not see combat, I have stayed away from all Marine Corps topics and books until now. It was worth the wait; I laughed, I cried, I remembered. An excellent book and an excellent narration. Semper fi.

A haunting tale of human suffering.

I learned about Karl Marlantes as a veteran first, an author second. This book is fiction, but Marlantes drew from his own experiences in Vietnam to give this book an edge of realism and heart that leaves you thinking about the events of the story long afterwards. The character development is fantastic and you become invested and heartbroken at their experiences. An excellent story and window into the crushing bureaucracy, danger, pointlessness, and boredom of the war. Absolutely worth purchasing and reading.