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)

Matterhorn

One of the best books I've ever downloaded at 'audible.com'
I listened to this novel continuously, stopping only to sleep.
Basically I ignored the world and lost myself in the story of a company of US Marines, pushed to their mental and physical limits in the jungles of Vietnam.
It's not easy listening. It's not a novel for those who are offended by foul language and graphic depictions of men lost in the madness of war.
It's excruciatingly tense. The suspense is sharp and will have you fidgeting and the actual combat scenes will put you in the fight and have your stomach in knots
Matterhorn is harrowing. The whole book is filled with the despair, futility and stupidity that war brings. . . but on the flip side it's full of heroism, brotherhood and sacrifice.

I felt rage, sadness, elation and despair whilst listening to this book. That makes it great
I loved it.

5 Star, Top Pick, Must Buy

Riveting, stunning and gripping. Long story stays solid from start to finish. Great narrator, the writing is superb; close, deep beyond belief and intense. Makes Platoon seem like child's play. The social commentary, which builds towards the end, is relevant and focused and in no way seems preachy. No politics here, just the fog of war shrouded in blood. They say it took the author 30 years to complete this story. I can see why. Recommended.

The Real Deal

What a great book that could have been written only by a person who has lived through the experience. It is full of military jargon and certainly not for everyone. It is a hard-hitting account of the absolutely tragic futility known as Vietnam. The hill known as "Matterhorn" was just a hill occupied by the Marines, abandoned by the moronic command and re-taken at the immeasurable cost of human lives. This book is simply a masterpiece.

One of the best novels of war I've read

My bachelor's degree is in History, and I love studying military history, but I was never much interested in the Vietnam War. And, while most of the books I've read dealing with war have been non-fiction, I have read a few war novels that I would consider "great." All Quiet on the Western Front, The Thin Red Line, and The Killer Angels are all books I believe to be great works of fiction based on real events and Matterhorn is on par with all of them.

The author is a Marine who served in Vietnam so the book's authenticity is unquestionable. I can't recommend this highly enough. The story and characters are rich and engaging and the narration by Bronson Pinchot is spot on. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

WOW

I missed the draft by one year. This book makes me glad I did. Very powerful story.

Great story, and spellbinding narration

This is probably the finest war literature I've ever listened to (or read). This will go down as one of the definitive Vietnam war novel. Bronson Pinchot's grasp of cross-cultural American voices were a perfect complement to his gravelly narration. Just an amazing story, could barely let go of the earphones throughout the read.

Powerful, unique and unforgettable

Really one of the best books I've downloaded in the past two years. I would give it ten stars if I could. Its a compelling and heartbreaking story. I think the best part about this book though is that it is not a retelling of all of the familiar Vietnam stories, the tales we've become familiar with from Platoon or Full Metal Jacket or Capote or whatever. Its a truly unique perspective, and there are still things in this book that I had never heard told before and can hardly believe may have happened. My father-in-law, a silver star winning Marine in Vietnam, gave this book his most enthusiastic praise while also admitting it was difficult for him to read at times. Definitely worth your d/l credit and time to listen.

Heart breaking, sad, real!

Where does Matterhorn rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One the best!

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many good parts.

Any additional comments?

For what its worth, I have never been to war, and I was to young for Vietnam but my brotherand his class were not. I always wondered why they protested so strongly and why the kidscame back so screwed up! Now I know and I will never wonder again. I could feel the horror, the fright, the terror as if I were there. I still have more of the book and weep for the kids that served. I know I would have made a good marine. I could have climbed any wall,ran any length, I was physically capable, but I really don`t think I could have mentally could have made it! I can`t even make it though the book with out feeling that if I was there init. I truly believe if anyone wants to know about the Vietnam war I suggest you read or listen to this book and listen carefully!

Great writing with masterful narration

Marlantes has crafted the most powerful novel of the Vietnam War.
It's riveting, and in turns, gut-wrenching, horrifying, and uplifting.Other authors have described the battle scenes as well but none of them have has captured the utter physical misery of the Marines' existence between battle field engagements.
There are not enough superlatives to describe this book. I was unable to put it down (take off my ear-phones). I listened while working out, in my car traveling and lying in bed at night. The suspense was almost unbearable. I am a reader who normally avoids fiction and especially 'war stories'.
Bronson Pinchot's narration brings every character to life in three dimensions. A masterful performance.

Best of the Year. Get it.

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would

Have you ever finished a story and wished desperately for a sequel, even though there was no sensible way one could exist? That was how I felt upon finishing "Matterhorn." I was so attached to the characters by the end, I just didn't want to let them go off into the unknown.

The story of the Marines in Bravo Company is extremely captivating. There are twists and turns a-plenty; on several occasions I was driving along with my hand over my mouth, almost holding my breath from the suspense
.
What really made the book for me, however, was the characters. It was a unique cast in that there was no real "good guy" or "bad guy," just a lot of men in a terribly difficult situation, trying to do the best they knew how. Everyone's motivations and desires were different, and that is reflected in their actions throughout the book. There is a great deal of clashing between those motivations, desires and ideals, and while some of the characters seemed to hate one another at different points in the story, I found it impossible to hate any of them. None of these characters is perfect; they all possess good and bad qualities. Some are smarter than others; some have sharper fighting instincts. Some are impeded by their lack of experience or education, some are handicapped by having too much. Some are weighted down by bigotry from their upbringing; others are blinded by their resentment of the status quo. It is these shortcomings, in combination with the men's loyalty, bravery and humor that make them incredibly appealing and human. I wanted the best for each of the characters, even when they did something foolish or misguided or mean. It hurt every time the company lost a man in the fight.

Bronson Pinchot's narration was probably the best I've listened to. Don't be put off by the dramatic-reading style, even if you don't usually go for that. I was astounded by his vocal range and ability to give each character a truly unique voice, respective of their race, age, ethnicity, rank, education, and even where they were raised. He didn't even screw up the two characters from Boston, which is amazing. Pinchot's characterizations were perfect and really rounded out the already amazing characters.

I will absolutely read this book again and would highly recommend it. In fact I have been trying to get any of my family, friends or co-workers to read it so we can discuss it! Just make sure you have about 21 hours of free time set aside, because you will not want to break away from the story.