What It Is Like to Go to War

By: Karl Marlantes

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the bestselling and award-winning Matterhorn comes a brilliant nonfiction book about war and the psychological and spiritual toll it takes on those who fight.

“I wrote this book primarily to come to terms with my own experience of combat. So far—reading, writing, thinking—that has taken over thirty years.”

In 1969, at the age of twenty-three, Karl Marlantes was dropped into the highland jungle of Vietnam, an inexperienced lieutenant in command of a platoon of forty marines who would live or die by his decisions. Marlantes survived, but like many of his brothers in arms, he has spent the last forty years dealing with his war experience. In his first work of nonfiction, Marlantes takes a deeply personal and candid look at what it is like to experience the ordeal of combat, critically examining how we might better prepare our soldiers for war.

Just as Matterhorn is already acclaimed a classic of war literature, What It Is Like to Go to War is set to become required reading for anyone—soldier or civilian—interested in this visceral and all-too-essential part of the human experience.

Karl Marlantes, a cum laude graduate of Yale University and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, was a marine in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals for valor, two Purple Hearts, and ten Air Medals. He has lived and traveled all over the world and now writes full time. He and his wife, Anne, have five children and live on a small lake in Washington.

©2011 Karl Marlantes (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A staggeringly beautiful book on combat…[Marlantes] is a natural storyteller and a deeply profound thinker.” (Sebastian Junger, New York Times bestselling author)

Everyone should read this book!!!!!

What did you love best about What It Is Like to Go to War?

It did just what the title said! It tells you what it is like. Not focused on blood and guts but whats going on in you head. What we are taught about killing and how we process that in war.

What did you like best about this story?

The references to historical great leaders in war and what they said about war.

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

Totally!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. I hated to stop and yet I needed to take time out and think about it from time to time.

Any additional comments?

I think this should be mandatory for everyone to better understand our veterans, what they have been through, what they go through upon their return and how we can help to make it better for them.

Great Listen

I really enjoyed this title, this was a great listen, excellent job by the narrator.

NEED TO GET THIS BOOK

Would you listen to What It Is Like to Go to War again? Why?

Yes. A good book is one you can go back over and over again and learn something new

What was one of the most memorable moments of What It Is Like to Go to War?

everything. my girlfriend and i still talk about weeks after listening to it

Which scene was your favorite?

its all put together beautifully

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Any additional comments?

it needs to be read by everyone. i recommended this book to an old school hippie and he loved it. he is making his students read as a requirement for his course. this book is a must

Where has this information been?

Deep in the process of earning a commission as a Marine officer, much of what Mr. Marlantes talks about is unmentioned. Yet, every word seems like something every individual entering a position of leadership, especially in the profession of arms, should know. His book Matterhorn was also amazing and it was beneficial to read this book After Matterhorn.

Profound insights

The author and narrator produced a captivating sharing of the experience of war. Should be read/listened to by all Americans. Recommend to all.

Half going to war, half about coming home

This was a good read and it is a service to us all to take the time and courage to put this in writing. I did have a lot of takeaways but the expectation should be that this is as much of not more about dealing with the implications of war in soldiers and how society deals with it as much if not more than simply what the experience of combat is like.

Honesty

This is the first really honest description of the warrior mentality that I have read While I didn’t personally participate in combat I did help resupply those on the ground. I’ve seen Vandigrif (sp) c b and the rock pile from the air so I could visualize those places Karl Marlantes clearly knows of what he speaks. His depth of knowledge of the warrior spirit is truly impressive. He has done the research all the way from Homer to Chesty Puller. Read this knowing that the author knows his subject

Honestly, Compelling.

This book covers something rarely spoken about.
It is important to listen- because this is relevant even in 2018
To grasp the notion of being trained to go into battle- and to later reflect back in such an insightful manner/ I am honestly moved beyond words
Heartfelt reflection and sage advice.
Wise wise wise. Thank you for writing this-

The truth has set him free

It's rare for a combat veteran to have revealed the warrior's inner feeling's on the experience of war.

This book rival's Eugene Sledges epic "With the Old Breed", a Marines experiences in the Pacific during WWII.

A Wonderful Perspective Into a Philospher Warrior

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Mr Marlantes provides a rare glimpse into the mind of a Rhodes scholar who has experienced the extremes of war, and whose intellect allows him to share a deeper understanding of humanity and war. I cannot do his vision justice in this brief review, and recommend you give it a listen.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Bronson's performance matches that of the Matterhorn, with its collection of entertaining voices, but here his voice talent shines in the many quotes from ancient foreign books and myths.

Any additional comments?

Previous reviews noted a wish for more gripping war stories per Mattehorn, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way he explained Matterhorn events as real life horrors for him - which made the book even more meaningful for me.