Up Country

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 28 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

This production features a special audio introduction by Nelson DeMille.

There is a name carved into the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., of an American army lieutenant whose death is shrouded in mystery. The authorities have reason to believe that he was not killed by the enemy or by friendly fire; they suspect he was murdered.

At first, Paul Brenner, himself a Vietnam vet, isn't interested in investigating the case. After his forced retirement from the army's Criminal Investigation Division, he has adapted to the life of a civilian with a comfortable pension. Then his old boss, Karl Hellmann, summons him to the Vietnam Memorial to call in a career's worth of favors.

Hellmann tells Brenner of the circumstances surrounding the officer's death, and gives him this much to go on: The incident happened over three decades ago in Vietnam; the only evidence is a recently discovered letter written by an enemy soldier describing an act of shocking violence.

Brenner's assignment: return to Vietnam and find the witness.

Reluctantly, Brenner begins a strange journey that unearths his own painful memories of Vietnam and leads him down a trail as dangerous as the ones he walked a lifetime ago as a young infantryman. From sultry, sinful Saigon, where he meets beautiful American expatriate Susan Weber, to the remote, forbidding wilderness of up-country Vietnam, he will follow a trail of lies, betrayal, and murder...and uncover an explosive, long-buried secret.

©2002 by Nelson DeMille, Alll Rights Reserved (P)2002 by Time Warner AudioBooks, a Division of the AOL Time Warner Book Group

Critic reviews

"A profound exploration of...war, justice, and...the human heart." (Lisa Scottoline, author of Moment of Truth)
"Finely drawn characters, wickedly crisp dialogue, and brilliant twists...Nelson DeMille [is] the master storyteller of our times." (Linda Fairstein, author of The Deadhouse)

Top Shelf

One of the best I have had so far. A tour of the country and a tour of very complex situations. Some of the plot is transparent. A person could make some guesses to get close, but if you want a tour of Vietnam past and present, then you will find this very, very interesting.

First time good review for Scott Brick

As far as the book is concerned. I bought this due to my previous experience listening to the Gold Coast And the Gate House by Nelson DeMille. Two of my all-time favorite books based on narration and genius storytelling. I don’t have the same feelings regarding this book. Though I still think Nelson DeMille is a great storyteller, I found this book to be way too long for the subject material. Also it was a little too convenient and annoying, how Colonel Mang was able to follow Paul Brenner through all of Vietnam. Even getting pictures of them on a isolated island when there is no possible way for Him to know that they were going to be there. I think there should’ve been some explanation of how that was possible.

I’d be a big fan of Scott brick if he narrated like this. All my previous reviews have been how over annunciated and super dramatic his voice is when narrating a book. I guess this was back before he became as popular as he is now.

Anyway, I listen to the whole thing because I didn’t have anything else better to do while working. I can tell you that I wasn’t overly impressed though.

I love Nelson Demille (and Scott Brick)....!

I have read some of Nelson Demille and loved every book so far... also Scott Brick, but I was leary of Up Country because I did not think I would like a Vietnam book. I thought this book was awesome for historical purposes and for entertainment content...! I have a list of Nelson Demille now that I am going to work through, next up is By The River of Babylon. Look for my review of that... I'll be honest. As for Up Country, I wouldn't miss it...! I hope he writes something else before I run out...!

Not just a book - it is a journey

Up Country has taken me through not just a story, but a time in history. I was in high school during the VietNam War and have always avoided stories and movies about it because it was just too real and too horrible to think about. This book changed all of that for me and brought new insights into that time and what the people there and soldiers on both sides went through. I know some people think that books should have an ending where all questions are answered and everyone lives happily ever after, but in reality it just doesn't work that way. I was left feeling satisfied and it was a trip I wouldn't have missed.

Masterpiece

This is DeMille at his best! Finally the return of Paul Brenner

So that's what it was/is like

The book is superior for three reasons; the first 2 are primary. First the author does an excellent job of telling it like it was in Viet Nam. It's obvious that he was there and experienced the horrors of being a soldier then. Second, we learn what it's like now, and it's just as compelling. Third, the story is good, with well developed characters, good details and a story that works. The main character is a smart-alec rebel (a little annoying) but that seems to be the theme with Nelson DeMille, and by the end of the book he's very genuine.

Absolutely Fascinating!

The characters in this book are so real, so believable. I have just finished this book and let me tell you I am a devoted television watcher and I have not seen a show all week. I have been listening to this book for days now and I feel like have been on the adventure of a lifetime.

I found this story so intense and captivating I was dreaming about this story and talking with my friends about it. What a great amount of history that is shared in this book, I learned so much!

This book is a must read and so is the Lions Game! Enjoy!

Great Book

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

One of the best audio books I have listened to. Great job by DeMille and Scott Brick does his usual superb job

What did you like best about this story?

The Story is superb, the journey the main characters go on keeps you glued to the story.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Scott Brick is at the top of his game.

Vietnam setting interesting, the rest not.

I learned a lot about Vietnam was like in 1997, and some about the Vietnam war. That part of this book, I enjoyed.

The writing is solid, the characters seem three dimensional, and come across as unique individuals. The description of what it is like to visit Vietnam was very well done, and I felt like I was right there.

However, I disliked the main character, and also his girlfriend. When they were in danger or had difficulties, I really did not have any feeling at all, so in that sense I wasn't drawn into it like so many other books.

However, that is all the good things I think of.

There are real problems with morality. At one point a character who is supposed to be one of the good guys murders two people just because they might be a threat. This is almost ignored for the rest of the book, but I just couldn't let it go.

The whole book, we are supposed to be wondering what the big secret mystery is, but the nature of it was obvious almost from the beginning.

The only character in the book that was interesting at all was guy we were supposed to despise.

The worst part of the book is the ending, which didn't resolve anything, seemed silly, and something the author made a big deal was just never mentioned.

I'm giving this book 3 starts instead of 2, because maybe somebody who likes Paul Brenner would enjoy this book a lot more than I did. But any way you look at it, I think there are much more enjoyable books out there for the money. I say skip this one.

Outstanding Story - Professionally Narrated

Would you listen to Up Country again? Why?

I plan to listen to Up country again. I have read the book three times. Simply put it is that good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Up Country?

This story is one continuous memorable moment from the very beginning to well past the end.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Scott Brick really catches the essence and detail of his subject matter

Any additional comments?

In my opinion, Nelson DeMille's best.