What It Is Like To Go To War

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What It Is Like To Go To War

By: Karl Marlantes

Narrated by: Jeff Harding

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About this listen

Karl Marlantes left University at 22 to serve in the Vietnam War. Matterhorn was the bestselling novel based on his experiences. Now Marlantes takes us back to Vietnam, but this time there is no fictional veil. It is part exorcism of Karl's own experiences of combat, part confession, part philosophical primer for the young man about to enter combat. It is also a devastatingly frank answer to the questions ‘What is it like to face death?' and 'What is it like to kill someone?'

Historical

Military

Military & War

Vietnam War

Veteran

War

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I didn't know what to think when I ordered this, as I just found it by browsing and of course we only ever get to hear a little snippet when we sample online - but it's excellent.

Jeff is a very good narrator (which often makes a good book better). For his part, Karl has led what by any measure would be an interesting life and he writes about it very well. His thoughts on the philosophy of war (and life) are very enlightening. I shall listen to this one again.

I suspect that bright as Karl is (and he certainly is smart) getting that scholarship probably wasn't hindered by his dad being school principle. I would also guess that his recollections of the mass for the dead might just possibly have been influenced by the special herbal medication that he used to self prescribe around that time. But these two little points are just me reading between the lines and in no way detract from the book.

I'm pleased that Karl wrote this book and I'm glad that I listened to it.