Karl Marlantes
Karl Marlantes
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Karl Marlantes is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, _New York Times_ bestselling author, and veteran of the Vietnam War. He is commonly known by his pen name, Karl Marlantes.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on September 19, 1944, in San Francisco, California, Marlantes' life has been marked by both war and literary success. Unfortunately, there is no record of his passing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Marlantes holds American nationality and is a writer, novelist, and poet. His experiences as an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War have significantly influenced his writing.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that valued education and patriotism, Marlantes developed a strong sense of duty and service. He was raised in a privileged household with parents who encouraged his love for literature and history. After graduating from Stanford University in 1965 with a degree in classics, Marlantes enlisted in the Marine Corps as an officer.
Major Accomplishments
Marlantes' military service during the Vietnam War left an indelible mark on him. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. His experiences in combat have been extensively documented, providing a unique perspective on the war.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Marlantes has received numerous awards for his writing. He is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and has won the _New York Times_ Notable Book Award. His novels have been widely praised for their gritty realism and nuanced portrayal of the human experience in war.
Notable Works or Actions
Marlantes' most notable works include:
"Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War" (2010) - a novel about the experiences of two young Marines in combat.
"Deep into Darkness" (1999) - a novel about a Vietnam veteran struggling to come to terms with his past.
His writing often explores themes of war, trauma, and the human condition. Through his work, Marlantes provides a powerful and thought-provoking account of one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.
Impact and Legacy
Marlantes' impact on literature and our understanding of war cannot be overstated. His novels have been praised for their accuracy and emotional resonance, providing a unique perspective on the human experience in combat. His experiences as a veteran of the Vietnam War have given him a distinctive voice and insight into the complexities of war.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Marlantes is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking insights into the nature of war and its impact on individuals and society. His writing has been praised for its literary merit, historical accuracy, and emotional resonance. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, Marlantes brings a unique perspective to his work, providing a powerful and thought-provoking account of one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.
Through his writing, Marlantes continues to educate and inspire readers around the world. His legacy as a writer and veteran will be remembered for generations to come.
Quotes by Karl Marlantes
Karl Marlantes's insights on:
I knew many Marines had done brave deeds that no one saw and for which they got no medals at all. I was having a very hard time carrying those medals and didn't have the insight or maturity to know what to do with my combination of guilt and pride.
Really important books to me are the classics. I try very hard to read them well - you know, especially once I got serious about writing. So, reading Tolstoy several times - 'War and Peace,' 'The Kreutzer Sonata' - all those were really important to me.
And I think that it’s – the military has actually made improvements, so people are considering post-traumatic stress disorder as, at the least, a possible psychological problem. You know, when I was in Vietnam, it was just considered malingering. And we’re making progress.
Then, like a seaborne Sisyphus, the ship clawed to the top of the next towering wave, as the sailors fought gravity and slippery decks to maintain their balance and their lives.
Power was the ability to reward and punish. Henry could reward with money and drugs. He could punish by withholding money and drugs. A nice combination. Ultimately, however, Henry wielded the power of punishment held only by a self-selected few. He was willing to murder. China knew that if a man could kill someone, everyone knew that he could kill anyone. The only way to stand up to that kind of power was to be willing to die.
When you are confronted with a seemingly painless moral choice, the odds are that you haven’t looked deeply enough.
Meaning came out of living. Meaning could only come from his choices and actions. Meaning was made, not discovered.
Running to join them, he felt overwhelming joy. It was as if he were coming home from a lashing winter storm to the warmth of his living room. The sky seemed brilliantly blue and clear, although he knew it was overcast. If he didn’t move his legs faster, his heart would outpace his feet and burst. His heart, his whole body, was overflowing with an emotion that he could only describe as love.
I don’t want any romantics to go into the military. I’m not a pacifist. I think we need a military, and the better one we have, the better off we are. I don’t want kids going in there thinking that it’s John Wayne on Iwo Jima. That’s not healthy.
We mistakenly assume that bodily survival has a higher precedence than ego survival. This is simply not generally true. Ego will happily destroy body for its own sake.