Rating: 
Summary: Riveting
Review: In a word, intense. Black Hawk Down places the reader alongside a relatively small group of drastically outnumbered soldiers engaged in relentless combat, against an enraged and well armed foe. This well written book provides a sense of the tremendous courage and bravery that was put forth in an extremely dangerous and harrowing endeavor. Ultimately, this book is a tribute to those soldiers who risked their lives and those soldiers who lost their lives.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably well done!
Review: This is an exciting book about young American heroes in a bad situation. It is so well researched that I was amazed. Mark Bowden really did a great job of following up the outstanding research with great storytelling. He gave perspective from the point of view of those involved, on all sides of the conflict. The story that this book tells is extremely important, and is gladly having an impact on the US Military itself! The amount of violence may be hard for some to read, but to understand what happened in Somolia, this is THE BOOK.
Rating:
Summary: ...the Mogadishu [Foul Up]
Review: I read non-stop (excepting work and sleep breaks) cover-to-cover, and immediately re-read the whole book again. Wow. Mark's writing left my ears ringing from the gun fire, sorry for the collateral killings, furious with a government frightened of the press, disgusted with a press lusting after sensation without sense, and in full sympathy for the soldiers who wanted to re-arm and return to get their buddies and Mr Aidid.
Mark underscores how many different perspectives there are on a single chain of events; everybody's hero is somebody else's villain. After re-reading, I wished I was there, and glad I wasn't: "the world capital of things-gone-completely-to-hell".
Rating:
Summary: This book ROCKS!!!!!!
Review: I have read many military books and none captured the truth the way Bowden does in Black Hawk Down. It gives the reader insight into a military operation that went chaotic fast. It revealed the miscommunications, the conflict between CPT Steele and the Delta Commander, and the zeal of soldiers under fire. I found this book intriguing, enticing and a MUST read for every soldier, from PVT to General. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: The best true story about war in a while
Review: A true story told by someone who knew how it was. A great story and a very important book to read. One caution. Do not start this at night. Find time and keep reading until the stunning conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Story
Review: The story of a relatively small but deadly firefight brings to light USA's failed foreign policy regarding Africa's Somalia. Bowden's powerful description of the battle in Mogadishu over one 24 hour period is as captivating a story as I have read in years. Bowden tells his battle story from the viewpoints of its participants from the general down to the private. America's modernized military might was tested and it won, or did it.
I applaud Bowden's efforts, his book is excellently researched and heart rendering. He captured both the people and the events so vividly that when you read this story you can visualize the fire-fights, the wounded, and the horror. The fateful decisions made by the General Garrison will be assessed later by historians but Bowden leaves the success of the mission up to us to decide. Since the book is labeled Military History I would like to point out that it is not strictly a text-book history. Bowden's work breathes life into his soldiers. This is no dry history, you hear the soldiers speak and behave as men (or as boys, as the case may be) during the attack. This is probably one of the best facets of his book, it reads like a novel. This battle will be analyzed by historians 25 - 50 years from now and they can apply the true historical impact of this attack. Bowden makes no claim to be a historian and even shies away from assessing blame (which historians usually have no problem doing). Bowden's perspective is that of a journalist, a viewer of events and he makes no historical analysis but recounts the activities before, during and after October 3rd, 1993. He offers us an impartial view of this battle and for this he should be congratulated. Faced with the number of dead and wounded USA soldiers I think it must have been tough to stand on the sidelines. This is excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't wait to get home and read it every night!
Review: The story itself was maddening at times. Why were our troops sent into such a situation? Bowden did an amazing job 'glueing' together the many details from his interviews and studies of the many documents from the investigation into a timeline that provided several perspectives of each and every event. The politics driving the decision were illuminated. The personal stories from both sides were shared. His descriptions were so well done that I could see and hear the guys, the helicopters, the guns at times. I hope I can find another book that's just as good!
Rating:
Summary: Vivid and Haunting. I'd give it 10 stars.
Review: Like the average citizen, I don't know much about military strategy, foreign policy, etc. and was unsure if I'd get a lot out of BHD. But the book held my attention until the very end -- through the epilogue, AND afterword, AND comments in the "sources" section -- the book was 100% accessible. There has never been a book I've read yet where I felt I was there. Anyway, I don't think I can say much that's not already been said, except this: I would advise EVERYONE who's not read the book but has seen the movie to go ahead and read the book. Even though the movie was good, it's only 10% of what the book is, both in it's detail and emotion. What a marvelous book. I regret not reading it sooner or going to any book signings.
Rating:
Summary: 10 times better than the movie
Review: Mark Bowden does a tremendous job bringing the the delta force and army rangers to life. He makes you feel for the solidiers under fire. He explains in great detail the events that occurred. You feel as though you actually are a member of the army ranger fighting the Somalians. This is the best nonfiction book I've ever read. A must have in your book collection.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read, Nice Style
Review: I am a fan of military history and decided to read this book recently. I have yet to watch the movie, but plan on doing so. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Bowden is skilled at describing imagery in a manner that allows you to picture it in your mind. His style of writing, going back and forth between the battle in Mogadishu and backgrounds of participants, took some time to get used to. Also, I would point out that Bowden's lack of military expereince or in-depth knowledge is an asset. He writes in a manner that a layman can understand, and an enthusiast can enjoy. Very well written and superbly researched!
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