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)

Moving

A moving story of the effects of war on young men as well as the futility of a war without reasonable objectives.

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outstanding piece of work

This audio book was a great read, with excellent narration. I highly recommend this book!

Haunting

I listened to this book on a 25 hour roadtrip. I felt like I was there again -- Lt Melis, Hawk, "Short Round" all the players. One of the best books - by far - that I've "read" in years.

Great read

This is one great book you won't regret reading or ever forget. The writing is first class and the narration brings each character to life. Don't miss this.

Best on the Ground Story of the Vietnam War

By far the best on the ground story of the war, perhaps of any war. Well written, exacting detail. Had to be written by someone who was there.

One of my top five of all time

This book far exceeded my expectations. I normally download books which have to do with drama, espionage, special forces, assassins, etc. but those books normally take place in recent history… in the US, Russia, China, and the Middle East. This took place during the Vietnam war in the 60s. I also was a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1973 two years before the end of the Vietnam war. Although I never had orders to Vietnam because of the heavy demilitarization in ‘73, the Marine Corps specific language, tactics, racial strife, camaraderie, pride, and courage we’re so familiar. I love this book and I will treasure the memories that I had as a artillery FO, attached to a rifle company on a med cruise for 6 1/2 months, Company commander in Okinawa, and S4. Highly recommend.

An excellent piece of historical fiction

A moving story of a young American officer in Vietnam. The characters were interesting, believable, and I found myself very invested in their outcome.

Amazing

Best book ever. The reader will experience a full range of emotions while listening. This book gives real insight to what life was like as a ground pounder during the Vietnam war.

Life Altering

I am a Vietnam War buff. This book made me cry, get angry, and laugh and smile at different times. It’s mix of heartbreaking turns, special moments, pure brotherhood masterfully conveyed between the marines, and laugh out loud moments makes it the best book I have ever read, without exaggeration. By the end of this book, I was wishing I was one ornament the characters just so I could continue in this mix of emotions and talk with the characters. I hope there will be a sequel.

depressingly great story

10 stars for the narrator. the story was great too. It really brought home the sacrifice made and the need to noir squander it.