Up Country

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

This production features a special audio introduction by Nelson DeMille.

There is a name carved into the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., of an American army lieutenant whose death is shrouded in mystery. The authorities have reason to believe that he was not killed by the enemy or by friendly fire; they suspect he was murdered.

At first, Paul Brenner, himself a Vietnam vet, isn't interested in investigating the case. After his forced retirement from the army's Criminal Investigation Division, he has adapted to the life of a civilian with a comfortable pension. Then his old boss, Karl Hellmann, summons him to the Vietnam Memorial to call in a career's worth of favors.

Hellmann tells Brenner of the circumstances surrounding the officer's death, and gives him this much to go on: The incident happened over three decades ago in Vietnam; the only evidence is a recently discovered letter written by an enemy soldier describing an act of shocking violence.

Brenner's assignment: return to Vietnam and find the witness.

Reluctantly, Brenner begins a strange journey that unearths his own painful memories of Vietnam and leads him down a trail as dangerous as the ones he walked a lifetime ago as a young infantryman. From sultry, sinful Saigon, where he meets beautiful American expatriate Susan Weber, to the remote, forbidding wilderness of up-country Vietnam, he will follow a trail of lies, betrayal, and murder...and uncover an explosive, long-buried secret.

©2002 by Nelson DeMille, Alll Rights Reserved (P)2002 by Time Warner AudioBooks, a Division of the AOL Time Warner Book Group

Critic reviews

"A profound exploration of...war, justice, and...the human heart." (Lisa Scottoline, author of Moment of Truth)
"Finely drawn characters, wickedly crisp dialogue, and brilliant twists...Nelson DeMille [is] the master storyteller of our times." (Linda Fairstein, author of The Deadhouse)

I Think Totally Awesome

This book is a combination of incredible true information about the Vietnam War and also the personal aspect. Listen to every word. Do not read an abridged version of this. Detail is the finest part of a good book. There is a lot of personal in this book but the end result is the professional end and the reality of today. I will definitely read it again. The pre-book by the author and the end and author info is all part of this very wonderful book. I grew up in the Vietnam Era but was young and stupid and did not learn as much then as I have over the years. I consider this priceless information and a good story.

Great Listen and Great Reader

I don't know what the one reviewer listened to who said the reader was terrible. I thought the reader was great and the story line compelling. I couldn't stop listening to this book, and only wish it went a little further at the end to better wrap up the story. I was a little disappointed with the ending but over-all I loved this book. This is the third book of his that I have listened to and it was well worth the book credit. I also highly recommend The Lion's Game and Night Fall.

Slow but interesting; expect more from DeMille

A well done look into modern Vietnam and how it is still haunted by the past. As a big DeMille fan though, I'd expect a little faster pace. Love the Paul Brenner character (similar to his John Corey) and very well read as always by Scott Brick. Agree with other reviews that it could be faster and more varied. Best if you're wanting a little modern history lesson than the normal cleverness of DeMille's story development.

extraordinary passage into Vietnam the country

After lion's game, clearly this is Nelson DeMille's best, and he has many thrilling works. Moving beyond "Vietnam the war", DeMille masterfully uses this challenging setting to weave this suspense of a detective who doesn't even know what he is looking for yet finds more than he expects.

Most entertaining history lesson ever!

This story and the background and flash backs were so moving. As a kid born just after the war ended, I did not have a genuine concept of what that war, or any war, was like. After reading this ands listening to it, I feel like I have an understanding of the extreme sacrifice the people whose names are on that wall made, the fear, the dread, the heartache they endured in those jungles and trenches. I also have a picture of the enemy soldiers and realize that war sucks for both sides and the good guys are just a matter of perspective, and propaganda. Thanks for such an interesting lesson and entertaining story.

best book I've ever listen to!

the narrator was fantastic, I highly recommend this book to anyone. sometimes hearts are sad sometimes parts are funny. I Enjoyed both. I also wish there was a book 2.

Not Disappointed

Demille hasn't failed me yet, true of this book as well, I highly recommend it.

Totally awesome

One of those books that you don't want to stop once you start listening. This was thoroughly enjoyable l

Long road to a boring destination

The book was interesting journey through Vietnam with some suspense. But the culmination of the journey (and fundamental of the book) was a let down. It ends with little delving into that conclusion which could/shold have been taken further. Nelson wimped out on this one and just cashed a check.

Seemed like a minute! Great story

Couldn't stop listening! Planted my whole garden while listening to this fantastic story. Time flew so fast I was sorry it ended. Excellent!!!