Black Hawk Down MTI

Rating:
Summary: Bravery beyond belief....
Review: I became aware of this story upon seeing those terrible images of dead young US servicemen dragged through the Mogadishu streets, live on CNN. I felt so angry at those awful scenes, and wondered, like so many on that day and over many later days, how and why this could happen. Mark Bowden answers all of the questions surrounding the battle, with great attention to detail. Using the admirably frank and often shocking testmiony of the Troops and others involved, he brings home to the reader the full range of sensations and emotions arising from the struggle for survival faced by so many that day. One of the best books I've ever read. It does not glorify war. Rather, it shows human endurance, outstanding bravery and courage, loyalty and friendship. From the very 'base' of Human instincts and emotions, to the paradox of euphoria felt in the heat of battle - its all here. 'Task Force Ranger' - true heroes all...

Rating:
Summary: Throw away the Tom Clancey, BHD is gripping, chilling & real
Review: The author transports the reader into the battle with a chilling realism and emotional impact. I know of no book that provides a comprable experience. The combination of the authors story telling skill and the readers knowledge that this is not a work of fiction provides for the type of book that alters one's perception of the material ( and perhaps one's self) forever.

Rating:
Summary: great reporting
Review: Should we have been there? Should we be bombing Yugoslavia? When do we as a country cross the line from helping a people to hurting? I don't know, but I do know this book not only describes what happened in Africa well, but also raises many questions about we should be doing (or not doing) as a country today. The epilogue and appendixes are just as interesting to read as the actual account of the battle. 4 stars only because the maps are inadequate. A scale and direction pointer at least?

Rating:
Summary: First rate reporting and story, insight to today's news
Review: Ooops. We have a hundered or so American troops trapped inside a city of one million very ticked off, very well armed Somolians. Help is around the corner, but nobody knows which corner it is. Mr. Bowden interviewed key people on both sides of the conflict, as well as off site players. He then used his considersble writer's gifts to give life to his meticulous research. Be prepared for disappointment once you start this book: either you will have to pause for sleep or work, which you will not want to do; or you will continue reading, thereby upseting your sleep cycle or employer or spouse.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for everyone to read.
Review: Mr Bowden reveals the minds, hearts, and souls of the military men involved in this unfortunate battle. These guys could be all of our brothers or neighbors. I too was very emotionally and intellectually enraptured by the PBS special "Ambush in Mogadishu". Every American should know about this conflict and honor the soldiers who fought there. I enjoyed the book greatly. My only complaint is that Mr. Bowden is such an apolegist for President Clinton. He goes out of his way to compare Clinton and Somalia with JFK and the Bay of Pigs. Clinton and his administration's actions in Somalia should not be justified by anyone. This book allows for greater understanding and empathy for what is happening in Kosovo and Yugoslavia now. These are real people dealing with a corrupt and immoral President and administration in a no-win situation. They never learn. Definitely read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Very gripping, account that will keep you glued to the pages
Review: Bowden shows adept knowledge of the events in Somalia on that fateful day as well as before and after the battle. Because the book is written with the help of many of the combatants on both sides of the conflict, you really get a feel for the people in the fight. Also, it is easy to visualize the experiences recounted in vivid detail. A "real-time" feel is also present when reading. For journalists, historians and anyone else that has an interest in learning what it would be like to be on the giving and receiving ends of so much firepower, this book is a definite must! (I wouldn't mind helping with the production of a movie script -- but Bowden is already working on that with an esteemed director!) -- Brian Omdahl, Warren, MN

Rating:
Summary: Gripping account of a little-known episode of modern war
Review: I had always thought that SLA Marshall could not be surpassed when it came to relating accounts of small unit combat. I was wrong. Mark Bowden has set a new standard. Black Hawk Down is an absolutely gripping account of one of the most desperate actions fought by American soldiers since the Viet Nam War. Building on eyewitness accounts from both sides of the action known by Somalis as "The Night of the Rangers", Bowden paints a horrific picture of an operation gone terribly wrong. Above and beyond his account of the heroism and tragedy of men in battle, however, Bowden draws larger lessons that should give every reader food for thought regarding the use and limits of military power. These are extremely timely lessons, given our current involvement in the Kosovo conflict. I predict that Black Hawk Down is fated to become a classic in the genre of military literature.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome read. Especially if you or loved ones involved.
Review: My brother was a ranger in Mog and after the catastrophe there, was sent home on leave. Little did I know why he held so much anger. I truly admire him and his brothers and thank Bowden for telling their story. They deserve more than that....

Rating:
Summary: Harrowing and instructive
Review: BHD is a truly harrpowing and deeply deatailed account, which runs the risk that the tight focus sometimes gives the impression there was more carnage than the final stats confirm, thus approximating one supposes the combat experience on the ground. The situation certainly gives food for thought in the context of current US-led NATO actions. I would have liked the author to look at the disaster from the point of view of incremental small events. IF that first Ranger hadn't fallen, if his chalk hadn't tried to evacuate him, would so many men have died? The lesson of lesadership here is not just that the staff decisions and mission planning were faulty. Some of the problems were self-created by the Rangers' creed: like the airliner that crashed while the flight deck focused on an insignificant trouble light, the Rangers' early attempt to evacuate a wounded comrade was a key tactical decision which had it's own almost inevitable role in the fatal knock-on consequences.

Rating:
Summary: The Malaysian troops
Review: A well researched book but it makes you wonder why Mr. Bowden didn't take the trouble to contact/interview any of the Malaysian soldiers that took part in the rescue. The Malaysian embassy in Washinghton could have provided him with some assistance. After the incident was over, numerous accusations were thrown at the Malaysian troops involved. The most common which appeared in several leading American newspapers and magazines were, " the Malaysians were late", "the Malaysians weren't trained properly", "the convoy got lost","language problems", etc. The plain and simple fact is had the Malaysian troops not arrived, more Americans would have been killed.