It really is a jungle out there.

I’m “enjoying” Matterhorn much more than I thought I would. I really want to find out what is going to happen to the characters; Mellas, Fitch, Hawke, Jackson and the rest. The day in day out information about living and fighting in the jungle (so I love minutia) is fascinating. The relationships between the men are so immediate and real . Since the book is set in 1969 tension between black/white Marines is an important part of the story. The “subtle” politics between officers is another form of combat being fought in the jungle.

Since the original plan was to compare Matterhorn to For Whom the Bell Tolls let’s start with our “heroes”.

Jordan has volunteered to fight in Spain for the Republic. He is experienced and confident. Mellas also signed up for the military, he’s not a draftee. He just didn’t think he would end up fighting in the jungle. On the bright side, now that he’s here, all of this will look good on his resume when he gets home to run for political office. He is so painfully inexperienced. Marlantes describes how uncomfortable he is talking with his men, the other officers, everybody. He doesn’t know the right questions to ask, he can’t remember anyone’s name. He's exhausted. He’s clueless. What a different opening for a book.

One of his soldiers has had a headache for weeks. What should he do about it?

" 'Do I have to deal with it now?' Mellas asked. He instantly regreted asking the question. He knew he was whining. "

Mellas is so over his head. When leading one of his first missions he’s advised by his soldiers to call for air power to blow up an elephant??…at least they think it’s an elephant making the noise in the jungle…but they’re not sure, and he/they will never know.

So who is the real enemy here? In camp they daily battle leeches and foot rot. As an officer one of his duties is to check the feet of his men to make sure they don’t get “immersion feet”.

On his first big “security patrols” one of his men is killed by a tiger. How do you explain that to a soldier’s family?

Next: But that would be murder…