Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War

Rating:
Summary: Politically biased report of an important historical event
Review: I bought this book looking forward to learning about the Somalianincident and began reading it with great anticipation. I am sodisappointed in the writer, both his "jump-around" reportingand his redundant and poor writing that I could not force myself pastpage 50. By that page he has told the reader no less than four timesthat the dust is ochre colored and the trees in the courtyards aresmall. He has also judged the Somalian adults as being lazy becausethey don't have jobs, this from a reporter whose own account describesa country who's infrastructure had been destroyed. Who, exactly waslooking to hire anyone? He dismisses those who question militaryactions as "liberal do-gooders" and describes the troops asmen who couldn't even "write a high school report aboutSomalia," an ignorance that is truly frightening and explains whythis country finds it so easy to "bomb the brown people". Atone point he states that the more than 100 military personnel involedincludes only 2 people of color, which he says is revealing, but doesnot explain what it reveals or explain in any way what he meant by thestatement. I surmise Mr. Bowden (...), and histreatment of the event is fragmented and superficial. As a high-schoolreport, this book would get high marks for quantity of factual (?)information and flunk on writing skill.
The book angers me becauseI feel duped by all the hype about it.

Rating:
Summary: I hope the movie can live up to the book
Review: If the movie is as half as good as the book, then I think "Black Hawk Down" will win the Academy Award for best picture.

Since 9/11 America has found new heros to believe in, Bowden's book gives us that!

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Tale
Review: This book is truly amazing. It will put you right in the middle of the action and gets you very excited. You are happy when something goes right, and sad when it goes bad. I would highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING. I cant put it down.
Review: I have never liked to read. My dad got me Black Hawk Down as a Christmas gift and I began to read it. I havent been able to put it down. This is the first book I have ever read on my own. Most of the books I read are class assignments. I cant put this one down. Amazing Book! I cant wait to see the movie.

Rating:
Summary: A riveting story indeed!
Review: I had heard alot about this book and was starting to see the movie promos on TV when I decided to read it. Man, I could not put it down it was that good. What can I say that 340 other reviewers haven't said already? All I can say is read it before the movie comes out because Bowden's writing produces imagery that would probably be spoiled if you see the movie first. This book is destined, if not already is, to become a classic story of modern war.

Rating:
Summary: Great book..now get the documentary video
Review: Yes Black Hawk Down is a great book. For serious readers who want to hear the soldiers in their own words there is a video available. I hope Amazon will allow me to let readers know that here is a great resource to go along with the book.
As always the award winning documentary series "Frontline" is ahead of Hollywood (with all apologies to Mr. Ridley Scott).
I urge all readers interested in this account of our involvement in Somalia to go to the PBS web site and search for the "Frontline" video entitled "Ambush In Mogadishu". This is a riveting account of the Somalia incident. I would advise buying and watching the "Frontline" video before paying to see the movie. Every American should watch this video and hear the soldiers in their own words. This video is of the same quality as the award winning series "Vietnam: A Television History".

* Check your local library, they may already have a copy of the PBS video available.

Rating:
Summary: This is accurate!
Review: This book is right on the money. I found only a couple of [very minor] inaccuracies. I was in Mogadishu during this period. I was not a Ranger however, one of the guys mentioned in the book later transfered to my unit. Not only was Bowden able to recount a very accurate account of what happened over there, he put it in such a way that places the reader in the gunsights of the Somali thugs that were causing us so much frustration.

Rating:
Summary: A dissenting opinion
Review: I read this book because usually books are better than movies, and I had intentions of seeing the movie. I wonder if this is a case where the movie might be better? The book seems well researched, but I found it very confusing. My assumption is that confusion reading reflected confusion on the ground in Somalia. In that sense, the book probably reflects well what happened. But, I simply could not follow the interspersed stories as they were told to the author by the soldiers involved. I wanted to understand from the maps where the individuals were, but I simply could not orient myself adequately. My guess is that the movie will also reflect this confusion and that it might be difficult to follow the story line other than the sheer confusing bedlam of the real event.

Rating:
Summary: Checkout
Review: An exciting and accountable description of US operation in Somalia. Minute account of events by the author makes this book a readable and breath taking novel.

Rating:
Summary: A COURAGEOUS SPIRIT IS THE BEST WEAPON OF ALL
Review: I have never read such a heart-stopping, bullet on bone crunching account of warfare. I am not American but this true-life account makes me proud to think that there are young people like those depicted here, in the Rangers and Delta Forces, who risk their lives everyday to keep democracy alive for the rest of us.

Congratulations Mark Bowden for creating a very fitting monument to the courageous spirit of a few.

I will continue to recommend this book to everyone I meet...but let them buy their own copies!

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