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)

Excellent.

Extremely well written and narrated. As a member of a post Vietnam era generation, it really drives home how pointless this war was and how ultimately combat gets reduced to helping the guy next to you.

Fantastic Book!

I have a two hour commute and have listened to more than a hundred Audible books over the last three years and without any reservation I am happy to say "this is the best book that I have listened to" Whether you like "war" books and agree or disagree with the Vietnam War this book is worth your time. The Author clearly wrote this based on his experiences and with his heart. I am not that emotional however on many occasions I was brought to tears from the sorrow of someone being killed or tears of joy from another who was saved due to the gallant actions of his comrades. Without reservation, I give this book and its narrator 5 stars. I salute you Mr Marlantes for writing this excellent book!

Absolutely Awesome!

What made the experience of listening to Matterhorn the most enjoyable?

The narration was spot on and the story was so engrossing. I felt like I was right there with the action.

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

Hearing the many emotions (anger, fear, frustration, defeat) and complex personalities come to life.

Who was the most memorable character of Matterhorn and why?

Wow... all of them.

Any additional comments?

I really wished I knew the cause of the headaches!

Brilliant, a must read

A reality jolt to the inside of the Vietnam war ; the pain and sorrow , the truly good men, what it means to be a marine: Buy also the those not in the front line sent so many good men to die, for their own ambitions. Not do different to any corporation but in war the consequences are pain, death, tragedy. For the first time i understand what makes a marine and why their motto is semper fi. Many times i had to put this book aside because it hurt so much to know that soon the marines who you become attached to as u read, would come to awful deaths. . A superb book, superb narration one to have in ur library and know the truths of war from the only real perspective..

Good morning Vietnam

What made the experience of listening to Matterhorn the most enjoyable?

The realistic description of the complexity of the Vietnam war, class war, racial conflicts and the essential catch-22 nature of pre-drone modern warfare. The sending of men to die simply to kill some of the other side.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrator and protaganist, the freshly minted second lieutenant and Princeton grad.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both. It is not a cheap sentimental rendition of what men experience in extreme conditions. Rather the novel unflinchingly and accurately, I think (having been fortunate to never experience the rigors and horrors of war), depicts the madness and euphoria of combat.

Any additional comments?

Simply fabulous.

Incredible

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

Perhaps the best audiobook I've listened to so far. It's difficult to believe that Bronson Pinchot voiced all of the characters, he's simply that spot on with such a diverse group of characters.

Any additional comments?

Incredible story read by an incredible talent.

real as lt gets from a guy that's been there

Brian Pinchot one of the best readers out there and I do it for a livingy.Book is so good I wanted to read it again but I took. a chance and tried audio
Author is a vet and knows what he's talking about. best viet nam book out there

Great listen

What made the experience of listening to Matterhorn the most enjoyable?

Bronson Pinchot is fantastic. He brings you into the story, by bringing the characters to life. I can not say enough about how much I enjoyed listening to him tell me this story.

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator.

Which scene was your favorite?

The taking back of Matterhorn.

If you could take any character from Matterhorn out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hawk. He is larger than life.

Any additional comments?

I will listen to this book again, in the future.

Felt I was there

An extremely good narrator, a carefully carved story. This is the best book I've read in months.
No heroes, no foes, just people.

Superb narration!!

This is a full on dramatic performance which brings to life the heroism and horror of war. Just awesome