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Summary: Bad Intelligence....
Review: Like virtually everyone else, I found this to be an extraordinary book. In many places, I had to remind myself to breathe. But the question I constantly asked was: what are we paying the CIA, NSA, DIA, etc., for? That's the most troubling aspect of the entire operation. How did these Rangers & Special Ops guys get such poor intelligence about what the situation was really like, on the ground? And how, with apparently constant aerial oversight, were they consistently mis-directed in an almost "Keystone Cops"-like parade through the streets of Mogadishu, under withering fire and an endless barrage of RPGs?My biggest fear is that this same scenario is playing out in some dusty corner of Afghanistan, as you read this, and we'll only find out about it three years from now, after some tenacious newspaper reporter finds and follows a thread....
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Summary: I Could Not Finish This Book Fast Enough!
Review: This is a gripping read! Mark Bowden provides us with a detailed account of the 1993 horrific operation in Mogadishu that resulted in American soldiers dead and wounded. Before reading this book, the only memory or information I had about the event were the images of two American soldiers being dragged through the streets by the Somalians -- courtesy of CNN. I read this book at the suggestion of my husband -- and only because he kept after me to do so. I am so glad that I did! This is a story about bravery, honor, and camaraderie. All of which are borne out of utter chaos. Everything that can go wrong during this operation does: two Black Hawk helicopters go down, people are dying, soldiers are going in the wrong direction, and supplies are scarce. The information about the Army Rangers and D-Boys is mind boggling. The next time I hear that our "elite forces" will be sent into battle, I will be hard pressed to forget that though highly skilled and trained, they are probably not much older that nineteen, twenty, or twenty one. This book made me a nervous wreck while reading it -- you literally feel everyone's panic. I was constantly scrambling to find the diagrams and sort out where the various convoys and soldiers were located. I found I could not read it fast enough and was grateful for the snappy and easy to follow dialogue. Well done Mark Bowden!!
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Summary: The best book I've read in years!
Review: Awesome story. Bowdens writing of the story put me right there in the action. I thought about it for days after reading the book. One of the few books that I've read nearly straight through and couldn't put down. It gave me a new appreciation of our military. Everyone should read this book.
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Summary: As close to combat as you will ever get ...
Review: The author has no military background. That is his advantage. That is his talent. He is able to write about what it is like to be in combat without seeing through the military-trained mind. A superb novel of real-men in a modern-type war. Thank you, Mark. You have prepared future warriors for their war.
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Summary: Gripping Real Life Thriller
Review: I also read this book shortly before the recent terrorist attacks. Mark Bowden goes into extraordinarily and painful detail in describing the activities of 1993 in which just over 100 Army Rangers and Delta force soldiers made a daring day-light raid on the city of Mogadishu, and a bustling market-place, and captured key lieutenants of the Somali warlord. Bowden rightfully tributes the last moments of over a dozen DIA and many casualties. The book reads like a minute-by-minute action feature, and is almost impossible to put down. Given the capabilities of these special-ops soldiers, I feel a lot more confident in our on-going efforts in Afghanistan. I'm sure the Delta forces are working as we speak. Many have deemed the Somalia effort a failure, but if you read this book, you will be convinced that the soldiers of this battle accomplished their objective and achieved victory despite overwhelming obstacles.
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Summary: Tremendous
Review: A true story about modern war This book is so great I want to read it again! Without saying so much, I really am intrigued about the plot in this first-rate book!
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Summary: 21st Century Ground Warfare -- An Instant Military Classic
Review: Mark Bowden's Battle of Mogadishu narrative is as incisive and entertaining a military novel ever written. "Black Hawk Down" is the non-fiction account of the U.S. military's protracted ground encounter with Somali soldiers and citizens on October 3, 1993 and is based largely on extensive interviews with participants on both sides as well as a thorough literature and document review (to include available radio transmissions). This 400+ page, detailed account runs systematically and (reads) rapidly through the events of the afternoon of October 3rd and on through the evening's neverending firefight into the next morning. Bowden begins with the daring daylight raid and abduction of two top-ranking officials of Somali warlord Mohamed Aided in the midst of Sunday's busy Mogadishu market. Planned as a sixty-minute helicopter drop, grab and return-to-base, this mission (through various misfortunes and unforseen events) quickly goes sour and Bowden takes the reader right into the action--inside the minds of those on the ground (and those in the helicopters above the city). The pace quickens as first one, then another Black Hawk is shot from the sky by RPG-slinging Somalis. Bowden manages to carefully detail the soldiers' moves and thoughts as they attempt to rescue their downed compatriots, extract their killed and wounded, and complete the mission. In spite of the detail and the multiple points of view (the narration is told from the perspective of many of the participants (to include an occasional glimpse into the Somali viewpoint)), the story moves at breakneck speed to its inevitable, somewhat remarkable conclusion and the end of U.S. involvement in Somalia. This story is an emotional, insightful, occasionally graphic (gory), honest, and ultimately thought-provoking tribute to the brave soldiers who fought in this battle. Mark Bowden's "Black Hawk Down" reads like an enthralling combination of the best war fiction (for example, Michael Shaara's "Killer Angels") with the greatest military memoirs (e.g., U.S. Grant's "Personal Memoirs"). "Black Hawk Down" is engaging from start to finish and is one of the most intense books of any genre I have ever read. Very Highly Recommended.
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Summary: I read it twice!
Review: I read this book about 2 years ago when it first came out and decided to read it again in light of what is going on in Afghanistan. I enjoyed it very much both times. It is the true story of the attempt by U.S special forces to capture some "bad guys" in Somalia in 1993, but it reads like a fast paced novel. As soon as the Rangers and D-boys hit the ground, they are met by far more resistance than they anticipated, and things go wrong right away. Bowden quickly puts you right there in the midst of the fighting and chaos, and you will have a hard time putting this book down. Be forewarned, some of the descriptions of the injuries and deaths are very graphic. Although the main thrust of the book is the ongoing battle, I was also intrigued by the depiction of Delta Force. These guys are amazing; the elite of the U.S. military, living by their own rules. They look down their noses at the Rangers, yet every 1 of the Rangers wants to become a D-boy. Bowden does a good job of showing the friction betwen the "operators" and every one else. Another fascinating side show is the mind set of the Somalis. Several times Somali citizens are described as curiously wandering into the middle of the fighting as though trying to get a better view of a car wreck. Or rushing into the middle of the street in an attempt to retrieve a weapon from another Somali, who just seconds before had been riddled with bullets and killed. Did they think they were invisible, invincible, or didn't they care if they lived or died? Overall, a very entertaining book!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: Just a awesome book that gives you the story through the eyes of soldiers, civilians and vilians. Black Hawk Down does an incredible job of keeping you on track while still giving excellent detail.
Rating:
Summary: Must read!!!
Review: If you are reading this review, you must be considering buying this book. This book is a must read! This is not only a great military book, but also one of the best books I have ever read, period! Bowden captures the "essence" of the firefight spectacularly. Let's just hope that Bruckheimer and Scott can do as well on the upcoming film.
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