My Rating: 
Author: Karl Marlantes
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Length: 8 hrs 47 min
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Audiobook Review:
Matterhorn was without question my favorite audiobook of 2010. (You can see my full review here) Marlantes’ fictional depiction of the war experience in Vietnam emotionally impacted me like no audiobook ever had. So I was very excited to see that he had written a nonfiction book that promised to explain What It Is Like To Go To War.
What It Is Like To Go To War chronicles Marlantes’ path to Vietnam, his experiences during the war and his return and reintegration into society. However, this isn’t a simple autobiography. Marlantes shines the light of over 30 years of introspection into each experience. He examines, explains and makes recommendations on how certain situations could be improved upon to help prepare young warriors for the horrors of war and to prepare returning warriors for the mundane everyday life that they long to come home to. Marlantes’ insight in this area is profound.
Marlantes’ first hand account fully immerses you into his war experience. At times the story is so engrossing that it feels like you are there wearing his skin. Then when Marlantes switches gears and begins to speak about the emotional and spiritual side of What It Is Like To Go To War it feels like he has laid bare his soul. All the questions that you have been afraid to ask your friend or relative that was in Vietnam are answered candidly with no attempt to sidestep or divert you. In this way, What It Is Like To Go To War provided a wealth of insight into the emotional baggage that many veterans have carried home with them from Vietnam. If you know a veteran who has been reluctant to share his experiences in war then you will find that these portions of the book are invaluable.
What It Is Like To Go To War is an incredible resource that should be required reading for any young man or woman who intends to enlist in the military. They should read it before going to war and then when they return from war they should ask their family and friends to read it. Marlantes’ book has the potential to greatly improve the mental health of our returning warriors. If his suggestions are properly implemented I feel that they could save and strengthen the warrior’s family. It might even save the warrior’s life.
Audio Production: Bronson Pinchot’s performance in What It Is Like To Go To War certainly earned him a one man standing ovation. It was masterful. The challenging first person narrative came across perfectly. Bronson seems to reflexively know when to adjust his tone, change the rhythm or add a dramatic pause. All of the little things that he does culminated in such a believable performance that he eventually seems to fade away until the listener feels that they are sitting next to Karl Marlantes at a bar having a few drinks while Marlantes unburdens himself by telling his war story.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this audiobook.
Listen to Bronson Pinchot and Grover Gardner discuss What It Is Like To Go To War
Purchase this audiobook directly from Blackstone Audio: What It Is Like To Go To War
Disclosure: I was provided a review copy of this audiobook from the publisher.
