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Summary: As good as Stephen Ambrose, this is a must read.
Review: I can't recommend this book enough, its hard to believe its a true story. You'll find yourself unable to put it down and have to constantly remind yourself that these are real people and not characters out of a Clancy novel. Its a fitting tribute to the heroes of our Armed forces, men who sacrifice for what are often dubious causes. Mark Bowden's style is reminiscent of Stephen Ambrose, first hand accounts (from both sides) woven together to give you a detailed picture of the battle. This is an excellent book, read it!
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Summary: A superb meditation on courage and mortality
Review: I am still haunted by this book even having finished reading it over a month ago. Bowden did an excellent job in yanking the reader into his story and perfectly capturing the horror, the shock, the blood, the pain, the terror, and the heroism of the battle. The situation reminded me of a modern-day Little Big Horn. I can't praise Bowden's skill as a writer enough. His in-depth interviews of combatants from both sides of the conflict, coupled with the compelling story, make this a very difficult book to put down once you start reading it. Like in the best fiction, the reader is transported to Mogadishu for one hellish night.
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Summary: A wonderful ground level view of modern urban combat
Review: A very thorough depiction of urban combat seen through the eyes of the men who were there. Bowden has created a fiction-like telling of actual events, without interjecting opinion. He tells you a story - here is what happened, you decide where blame should be placed, or which actions should be morally judged. I could not put this book down.
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Summary: The most outstanding, and horrifying book I have ever read
Review: I am not much of a reader, but being in the military, I thought this would be a good book to read. Boy, was I right. Blackhawk Down is a terrifying look into the black soul of battle. The courage and bravery these men displayed is matched by no other. Even though they are supposed to be the best, and beyond fear, the terror that the Rangers and Delta Force faced is enough to make any man go insane. If you are in the military and have soldiers of your own, I strongly encourage reading this masterpiece, and then make your soldiers read it. We can never be truley prepared for what terror combat might bring, but Blackhawk Down shows us what to guard against and how to best overcome the worst of a situation to accomplish the mission.
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Summary: Technology gets better, but soldiers still die.
Review: While at times this seems like you are reading an action novel, one must pause and remember that every U.S. soldier killed or wounded in this "peacekeeping" effort was a real person. Author Bowden, through his style, once again shows the world that when the U.S. military is micro-managed, disaster is not too far behind.No matter how noble the cause, this book does make one long for the isolationist policies of the late 1930's. As the events unfold, you are constantly asking: "how could this happen" and "why is this happening". This is a sobering account of modern day warfare gone wrong.
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Summary: Bowden Captures the Horror of Modern Urban Warfare
Review: So you've never been in combat. Come to Mogadishu. Maybe you're the rear detachment company clerk who was called forward due to an injury. Join the D-Boys and Rangers on a quick raid gone wrong. Fast-rope into a crowded African city on a Sunday afternoon and smell, taste, hear, and touch the reality of true combat. Test your soul; what would you do if you were surrounded by thousands of deadly Somalis only miles from safety in the heart of their territory and there is a BLACK HAWK DOWN? Mark Bowden has taken his award winning series of newspaper articles written for the Philadelphia Inquirer and turned them into a must-read classic for all military professionals. He definitely took a modest assignment and overachieved; we are the beneficiaries. His detailed account of the Battle of the Black Sea (Mogadishu: 3-4 October 1993) is destined to occupy the bookshelves of every military professional or would-be warrior. Devour and enjoy Black Hawk Down. This book is not about your Grandfather or Father's war. This is about modern war involving many soldiers still on active duty. It's not about destroying tanks from 3,000 meters away. It's about close combat when the rules of engagement cease to have relevance and survival requires immediate instinctive response. This book is a crystal ball on future urban warfare and a cautionary note for contentious peacekeeping operations. The devil is in the details and you will not want for details. The gore, frustrations, disagreements, mistrusts, illusions, misconceptions, ramifications, difficulties, cowardice, and heroics are displayed for all to see. Sure there is some hype and inaccuracy, but no interesting microscopic analysis can exist without such blemishes. Seldom has such a discreet tactical operation had such far-reaching strategic consequences. U.S forces in Bosnia can attribute restrictive force protection measures to this battle's legacy. Future strategic, operational, and tactical leaders who do not assimilate the lessons of Mogadishu are in danger of repeating this tragic history. I strongly recommend this book. Learn what Delta Sergeants Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon did to earn the only Medals of Honor awarded for actions during the past quarter-century. Set aside a Sunday afternoon or a long night for continuous consumption. You will not want to put this book down once you start reading it.
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Summary: Fantastic...
Review: What a great book, no fiction writer could make this up. If anyone have told me a couple of years ago he or she was going to write a book about the battle in Somalia, I would have laughed and wrote it off.Boy, I would have been wrong. This is a very engaging book, methodical, and caring. The author did an excellent job representing all sides of the conflict in an engaging manner. One could tell he did a tremendous amount of research, and most important, he did not relay on dry military reports, but interviewed all involved. This is also a fascinating look at the life of the soldiers, the conflicts between the different units, and represents the views of the commanders, ground troops, and pilots. I would just like to say that he did do justice to all involved, we need more books like that. Also, don't forget to read the notes at the end of the book for more insights.
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Summary: A Battle for your sole
Review: I recently purchased this book and could not put it down for a second, fearing what upcoming segment I might miss, then actually finishing the book within a two day period. I REALLY loved this book, my first reason is: it's a true story, real soldiers in a real city fighting a real battle and for their lives. The second is: Mark Bowden's words struck a place in my heart so deep, this book and (Story) will always be on my mind now, he introduced us to a group of guys, much like any of my friends, and those introductions and the mission are what i take with me every day since reading this book. I would also like to add: my thoughts and my prayers to the brave soldiers and their families who are presented in book, BlackHawk Down /A story of modern war.
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Summary: true american heroes
Review: the author takes you from a 5 minute news report on cnn to a 300plus page novel. the american bodies being dragged down the dirty streets weren't human to me when i watched it on the news. the book tells the story of these men being dragged down the street. you begin to realize these men have names, they have families, they are men of valor. you realize that these men are the true american heroes of our nation. the story was so gripping i read about 50 pages while taking a trip in the family van. i don't usually read books while travelling. the story was so heartbreaking that i had to put it away for about a week before i could continue
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Summary: Well-written, objective, impactful
Review: In light of what is happening in Kosovo, this book gives you a perspective of the men who may have to fight for the US once again. And, unfortunately, you'll draw conclusions, that US leadership still hasn't learned from mistakes in Mogadishu. You will find the book immensely moving not only because of the courage these men displayed, but because of the character studies the author drew, and the insights given into foreign environment and the differing values of its people. Each one of us knows someone who is similar to these men in personality and/or ability which makes the story all the more impactful. And, the book points out what the Somalis referred to as "US weaknesses" e.g., the Somalis knew the direction the American soldiers would head--toward the downed helicopter--because they knew Americans would never leave behind their own people. Despite all our wonder-technology and weaponry, the bravery of our soldiers, and the always ubiquitous US "good intentions", each time you put the book down, you'll ask yourself, why?
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