Rating: 
Summary: Read it NOW
Review: First, this nonfiction reads like a gripping action novel. Hard to put down. Better plan to lose sleep. Secondly, how could Bowden's analysis of the Mogadishu raid be more timely? Hope George Bush has read it. Hope the commanders are studying it. It is a textbook for opns going on now. Finally, Bowden achieves objectivity, detail, human interest, education, suspense, and relevance all in this compact paperback.
A former Ranger.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read about the true accounts of war. I've seen several interviews with many of those who survived this horrific event. You can not really appreciate what they said with out actually reading their story.
Rating:
Summary: Heart Pounding. . .
Review: I felt like I was there. The heat, the smell, the blood, the horror; was so vividly real. As a former AC-130 Gunship crew member that hunted the NVA along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, "Black Hawk Down" transported me back to another time. . .of war.Bill Morales
Author, "The Fence"
Rating:
Summary: Lessons to be learned
Review: This is an exciting tale of heroism, a day of infamy that is known as the Battle of the Black Sea. This is also a tale of horror and the disgraceful foreign policy that allowed 99 American soldiers to drop down in Somalia only to withdraw after more than seventy soldiers were injured and eighteen died. Mark Bowden does an excellent job of describing the nuances of war, the soldiers humor to disguise fright, the mens committment to each other, loyality in the face of death and the supreme sacrifice for one's country. The story moves along quickly yet slowly, a battle that lasted slightly more than a day seems like forever in this glimse into hell. It is a story of patiotism where men trust the decisions made by the policy makers and those that have led them into battle. America's finest went in to capture two lieutenants of a warlord with all the weaponry and the Somalias fought back and made the United States pay a dear price. It is a grissly tale of entrails and body parts destroyed and salvaged, strewn about the streets of Mogadishu amidst the tattered lives that would be changed forever on a fatefull couple of days in October 1993. No one is spared in war, men and women, children and animals are all part of the legacy left behind in the wasteland, some maimed so badly they might be better off dead. There were no winners only losers. There were only winners no losers. Read the book and you be the judge. I read this book after the tragic events of 9/11 becuase I knew the US would have to eventually use similar tactics in persuit of the terrorists. After the bombing has done it's damage the Delta Force and Rangers will lead the way as they did Somalia on special operations. I hope the lessons were learned by the brass and the errors can be corrected as learned from the mistakes made in Mogadishu. This book is highly suggested reading material as a preview for our sending ground troops into Afghanistan. Let us not make the same mistakes.
Rating: 
Summary: Required reading ...
Review: ... for anyone who thinks the war on terrorism will be easy, glorious or swift. "War is hell" is a cliche, but it's a perfect description of the story recounted by Bowden. He captures the humanity -- and the fallibility -- of America's best soldiers, extraordinary men pushed to, and beyond, their limits.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Fiction
Review: Black Hawk Down combines action, suspense, danger and superbly documented history.
Rating:
Summary: A Cautionary Tale
Review: War is hell. Especially in this recount of The Battle of Mogadishu. Bowden wonderfully recreates the horror of modern battle. He shows how easily the best plans, the best men and the best equipment can be overcome. This tale is so timely these days with the US preparing to enter into type of battle again. This book offers so much to learn. I only hope that those who can learn from this book have read it.
Rating:
Summary: Good military history
Review: Entering a country to look for a dangerous criminal seems to close now to what Americans are doing in Afghanistan. I sure hope they have better luck.
Sad history with no happiness during it and of course no happy ending.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Narrative
Review: Mr. Bowden's account of the Battle of the Black Sea, or the Day of the Rangers, is one of the best researched and gripping narratives of any battle. He has done a great historic service to those who will want to learn about this struggle for generations. He has used exhaustive interviews with both American and Somali participants as well as his own research to create a blow-by-blow account of a routine mission gone terribly wrong. Largely absent are the political decisions leading up to American involvement in Somalia, but do not buy the book looking at it through that lens -- Mr. Bowden has left that interpretation to others. His few conclusions and interpretations are entirely appropriate, based in fact, which seems logical coming from a man who was closer to the battle and its participants than any historian ever will be. What we have is a human story, graphically told, emotions laid bare -- an account that will grip readers and students of history forever.
Rating: 
Summary: Wannabe
Review: Mark Bowden's non-fiction book Black Hawk Down is at best mediocre and should have been better researched before publication. Shoddy journalism, coupled with one Delta operator's huge ego and one-sided opinions, make for interesting reading, but it does a disservice to the outstanding performance of our SOF warriors and their Somali opposition. It is on paper now- thus, it must be true. And, of course, several soldiers received their 15 minutes of fame and are naturally supportive of the book. Just another wannabe making a dime off the real deal.
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