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Summary: An excellent, fast paced story, amazing and scary-it's true
Review: Black Hawk Down is an exceptionally well written story of heroism and valor on a questionable mission in Somolia. This story will give you some appreciation of what our military might can and cannot accomplish.Not having served in the military, this story enabled me to see that no matter what technology we as a country can bring to bear in a conflict, it is still the men and women that make it happen. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in the military and or diplomacy of our country.
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Summary: Should be on the CMC's Reading List
Review: For someone who didn't come from a military background, I think Bowden did a good job with this one. I didn't find any glaring nomeclature inaccuracies or ludicrous opinions treated as fact. I think he did his homework and tried hard to be objective. He ought to be commended. To the people that were in this fight (and you know who you are), I say you did a great job. Good on ya. For all those management types runnin' their head who were never in Mogadishu, Baidoa, or Balad (and you know who you are), well... I.Y.A.I.Y.A.S. Semper Fi.
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Summary: Excellent work by Mr. Bowden
Review: I'm a Nat'l Guard cavalry Sergeant, and was concerned that Mr. Bowden's lack of military experience might color the account of the events in Mogadishu on October 3-4, 1993. I could not have been more wrong. Obviously Mr. Bowden entered the project with an open mind, and became impressed with the men of SFOD-D and B/3-75th and all the other unfortunate soldiers, sailors and airmen struggling in the streets of Somalia during that long running gunfight. He pulls no punches, and leaves nothing untold. If a soldier did something he was ashamed of, it's right there in print. But one cannot (as obviously Mr. Bowden could not) be impressed by the dedication, and courage of these men in their desire to complete their mission, and preserve the lives of their team mates. If I ever meet Ranger Stebbins, I'd be more than happy to buy him a beer. Hell, I'd buy a keg for any and/or all of these guys! As they say in the Ranger Regiment "Sua Sponte!" Way to go guys, RLTW.
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Summary: Excellent book
Review: Having served in a Ranger Battallion in the early 90s, I read this book with skepticism regarding the lack of miltary experience of the author. The first 5 pages fixed that. The effort of the author is amazing in the amount of research and the accurate descriptions of unit organization, weapons, and tactics that are used in Special Operations. The unit descriptions, attitudes and characterization of the individual units are all right on target. Having met the Task Force Commander in a Florida swamp years ago, it automatically verified the authors account. Mark Bowden does an excellent job. The story speaks for itself, a harrowing look into an intense military operation that goes south. Most impressive is the amazing character, heroism and loyalty of modern day young Americans and the price that they voluntarily pay to serve the greatest country in the world. With soldiers like this it is easy to understand how we are in that position. A great book.
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Summary: No lessons learned...
Review: As many readers already mentioned it, this book is really breathtaking. It gives you the impression you are in the middle of the battle, running for your life... This is an excellent study of a so stupidly called "low intensity conflict " that pops up more and more often in the " new world order ". From a military point of view, it shows us that no lessons were learned from the past conflicts. Since "the Mayaguez incident", through the Iran crisis, the Grenada and the Panama invasions, the use of the highly trained and capable Spec. Forces by the politics drove to a fiasco. Self confident of their power, they always put them in extreme situations from those men can not extricate. Even as a soldier, you are not supposed to die for nothing or stupid orders. This is clearly the message of this book (and my personal opinion). On the minus side, I was really shocked and disappointed by the author's decision to work on a Hollywood motion picture based on his book :-{ What happened is war, with blood and guts, nothing to do with entertainment ! If ever,I will personally boycott the movie.
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Summary: Absolutely riveting
Review: I was intrigued by the story after seeing an interview with Mark Bowden at a book conference. After finishing the book, i felt like i had been there right along with the soldiers and i couldn't help but feel the anger and frustration that they felt. Mr. Bowden told the story of these men in such a compassionate, fair way that i would gladly look forward to anything else he writes about the subject. In fact, he should write about other incidents in the military's history - he certainly has a way of giving us civilians a glimpse into what these men went through.
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Summary: "War endures. Before man was, war waited for him..."
Review: Very intense story. A great look into the culture of the professional warrior. This book needs to be read by everyone. American society and military society are becoming increasingly polarized...this leads to an uncaring public that blindly throws its soldiers into the meatgrinder such as Somalia and Bosnia. Hopefully this book can bring mainstream America and the military culture closer together.RLTW
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Summary: a portrait of real heroism
Review: This book is a fair and honest account of the little known Battle of the Black Sea. It covers a range of emotions so vast that reading this book is emotionally exhausting. Truly one of the best books of combat and urban warfare ever written. This is a testimonial not only of the highest trained warriors to ever live but also to the fierce and desparate dedication of starving people defending their way of life. Heartbreaking and sometimes anger inspiring, this novel takes you through the streets of Mogadishu on Sunday, Oct. 3, 1993; a day that will forever live in infamy in the fight for freedom and rightousness. This battle was proof that no matter how well trained and prepared any force is, when Murphy's Law is in effect (and usually is) anything bad can and will happen. With 18 Americans dead, dozens wounded, hundreds of Somalis dead, and thousands wounded, who won? NO ONE. Task Force Ranger accomplished it's mission that day but Somolia only sank deeper into it's own troubles. After reading this novel one can only admire those daring warriors who fought so bravely and fierce that day. Knowing that liberty and justice for all is protected by the men who go by the title of Army Ranger, Delta Force Ranger and Navy S.E.A.L allows us all to sleep better an night.
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Summary: Current Affairs
Review: I don't know if it is the skill of the writer or the intensity of the subject matter, but I found it difficult to put the book down. If this were to be made into a movie, it would make a ton of money. Interestingly, we now know that the same Delta Force operatives in Somalia were, at that time, blabbing that about a dozen of their number participated in the final assault of the Branch Davidian church in Waco, several months before, resulting in the deaths of 80 people including 22 children. The use of Armed Services troops is a violation of federal law. (go to video section and check out "Waco: The Rules of Engagement."
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Summary: Send a copy to the State Department
Review: It's been nearly six years, but I've never been able to completely put the events of Oct. 3-4, 1993, out of my mind. Bowden's brilliant book rehashes a painful and shameful episode in our history and illustrates beyond a doubt that the Clinton administration is full of foolish amateurs and dimwitted do-gooders. My blood boils when I think of how recklessly Clinton, Warren Christopher, Les Aspin and Madeleine Albright (then UN ambassador) played with the lives of some of our finest soldiers. Shame on them. Shame on us all.
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