Matterhorn

No not that Matterhorn. This title refers to a new book by first time author Karl Marlantes. Matterhorn is his labor of love. 600 pages long and thirty years in the making, Matterhorn tells the story of a company of Marines who are sent out to secure a hill known as the Matterhorn during the Vietnam War. No sooner do they secure the hill then they are ordered off it . Then they are ordered to retake it.

The story is told from the point of view of a young second lieutenant, Mellas. He quickly realizes that his patriotic ideals will only take him so far in the jungles of southeast Asia. The story line encompasses everything a novel about a war should.

There are the commanding officers who are incompetent, nonsensical military operations, soldiers who are there for patriotic reasons and some who are there for a reason they don't understand. There are conflicts within the ranks and between the ranks.

The story is not for the faint of heart, the battle scenes are graphic. As is the dialogue. The book can be confusing at times. It starts with a number of names, ranks and military speak. The story also rambles at times. I did finish the whole book and am glad I did. It is a well rendered telling of one man's experience in Vietnam.

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War By Marlantes, Karl 2010-03 - Atlantic Monthly Press 9780802119285 Check Our Catalog BookPage Notable Title Thirty years in the making, Marlantess epic debut is a dense, vivid narrative spanning many months in the lives of American troops in Vietnam as they trudge across enemy lines, encountering danger from opposing forces as well as on their home turf. …More