Karl Marlantes Wins $5,000 Colby Award

By Maryann Yin on Galley Cat, February 11, 2011

Author and military veteran Karl Marlantes (pictured, via) has won the $5,000 William E. Colby Award for his novel, Matterhorn.


Marlantes will accept his prize at the Pritzker Military Library’s 2011 Liberty Gala. Matterhorn was inspired by Marlantes’ memories of serving in the Vietnam War.

Author and Colby Award co-founder W.E.B. Griffin offered this quote in the press release: “Matterhorn is a powerful first work that defines the tragic cost of the Vietnam War in human terms. Marlantes’ breakneck writing style is both passionate and haunting, thrusting the reader into alternating moments of chaos and courage reflecting the fragility of our Marines on the ground – and their leadership – in combat.”

The award, funded by Tawani Foundation, recognizes a debut work of fiction or nonfiction that raises the public’s awareness of intelligence operations, military history, or international affairs.

At the Liberty Gala, the winner of the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military will also be revealed. The annual award will also be shared through a live webcast.