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 Book!

This book is one of the best war stories ever written. Highly recommended! Obviously written by someone who had been in the middle of what he was describing.

What an amazing story

This story is a journey into the day to day grind of an average run of the mill Marine Infantry platoon in Vietnam. It is Graphic, but covers details that are often overlooked which bring the reality of their struggle to make it home into focus.

Very drawn out but well worth it.

It’s called the forgotten war. Not much is really told about it. The history is kept silent. I’ve never heard how bloody the war was. But after listening and reading this book I’m so glad I did. It teaches you the ups and downs they had on different missions. Going days without food and barely enough water to make it the next day but yet they keep pushing. If you love history and war and books of the such this is def. a must read.

Utterly Amazing!

This is a must listen to audio book. The sheer power of this novel will transport you to a time and place of American history that will stay with you like never before. In no time you'll be propelled back to Vietnam fighting, sweating, cursing and feeling the pain and anguish of every character. I had no idea Bronson Pinchot was capable of such narration and my hat is off to you sir! A job well done by both writer and narrator.

Incredible

Incredible story. I have rarely heard the horrors of war described to vividly. Moving. Great writing. Mr. Pinchot's performance was unbelievable.

Best Vietnam War Novel I have read

This novel has the instantly recognizable wring of truth from an infantry combat veteran telling a story of war.

Set in Vietnam in 1969, it follows a fictional Bravo Company 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, starting with newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Waino Mellas. As the story progresses, the reader gets to know the Platoon and Company in a realistic narrative making Vietnam seem palpably real. The description of daily life, combat, relationships, conflicts, and inner thoughts all feel authentic and familiar.

Despite my own infantry combat experience being with the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, I felt as if I knew the platoon; like I was there and could recognize these men. The tale is not general or nondescriptive, and focuses very specifically on Vietnam and jungle warfare, but the timeless truths of the infantry really come through.

If one wishes to hear an engaging story of the Vietnam War which unflinchingly describes infantry combat and living, this book is ideal. It has strong language, violence, brutal, disgusting, and beautifully realistic descriptions of things that many will never fully understand, but in using each with masterfully written lines, this fiction provides a very real picture of war.

Riveting.

It has been 25+ years since I have read Neil Sheehan's Pulitzer Prize winning "Bright Shining Lie", a non-fictional account of the US involvement in the Viet Nam War - Sheehan's book left a very lasting impression, having lived through the Viet Nam War and having just missed the draft by a year. In reading Matterhorn, I thought it was the perfect fictional complement to Sheehan's non-fictional account.

Futility, frustration, despair - these words don't begin to capture the emotions of the book. I coudn't put it down.

If I could, I would give Pinchot 6 stars for his narration.

Solid, though overly thorough Vietnam war book

Lots of detail, lots not as much character development. Great reading by that guy from that tv show. Joe bob says check it out

Great, immersive depiction of the Vietnam war.

The crude realism and anti-hero perspective of this book amazed me. Narration is superb as it communicates not only the book's writing but the tension, fear and adrenaline of war.

Absolutely extraordinary

Once in a while you come across a piece of art that undoes you. It tears you apart and leaves you broken. Matterhorn did that. While that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, it is. Matterhorn is one of the best books I've ever come across. You will be a better person albeit by way of searing sadness and true beautiful brotherhood.