Rating: 
Summary: Blackhawk Down
Review: Excellent factual story on the action in Somalia. This is the type of tragedy that could easily be repeted in Afganistan. Very current and heroic. This story is even more interesting when read thru the filter of the Sept 11 disaster. It is widely believed that bin Laden had trained some of these players and armed them as well. The most revealing thing is to look at the map of Somilia and see the grand plan which becomes obvious when you consider the location of these countries and their proximity to each other.
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Summary: Fascinating Story
Review: Factual story telling lots about modern military, conflict between high-tech, quick strike US forces, and lower tech Mogadishu bandits, with rocket propelled grenades, and outnumbering US by large multiples. The situation is complicated with action developing in multiple places at once on the ground, but you can follow it, even though I felt the author jumped around too often, from place to place, and person to person. It hurt the narrative flow. Also there are too many names of soldiers, and not enough characterization so you get a feel for them as individuals. But the facts are interesting and important, especially in light of Sept 11, and US probable use of high tech army in anti-terrorism campaign.
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Summary: Read it NOW
Review: First, this nonfiction reads like a gripping action novel. Hard to put down. Better plan to lose sleep. Secondly, how could Bowden's analysis of the Mogadishu raid be more timely? Hope George Bush has read it. Hope the commanders are studying it. It is a textbook for opns going on now. Finally, Bowden achieves objectivity, detail, human interest, education, suspense, and relevance all in this compact paperback.
A former Ranger.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read about the true accounts of war. I've seen several interviews with many of those who survived this horrific event. You can not really appreciate what they said with out actually reading their story.
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Summary: Heart Pounding. . .
Review: I felt like I was there. The heat, the smell, the blood, the horror; was so vividly real. As a former AC-130 Gunship crew member that hunted the NVA along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, "Black Hawk Down" transported me back to another time. . .of war.Bill Morales
Author, "The Fence"
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Summary: Lessons to be learned
Review: This is an exciting tale of heroism, a day of infamy that is known as the Battle of the Black Sea. This is also a tale of horror and the disgraceful foreign policy that allowed 99 American soldiers to drop down in Somalia only to withdraw after more than seventy soldiers were injured and eighteen died. Mark Bowden does an excellent job of describing the nuances of war, the soldiers humor to disguise fright, the mens committment to each other, loyality in the face of death and the supreme sacrifice for one's country. The story moves along quickly yet slowly, a battle that lasted slightly more than a day seems like forever in this glimse into hell. It is a story of patiotism where men trust the decisions made by the policy makers and those that have led them into battle. America's finest went in to capture two lieutenants of a warlord with all the weaponry and the Somalias fought back and made the United States pay a dear price. It is a grissly tale of entrails and body parts destroyed and salvaged, strewn about the streets of Mogadishu amidst the tattered lives that would be changed forever on a fatefull couple of days in October 1993. No one is spared in war, men and women, children and animals are all part of the legacy left behind in the wasteland, some maimed so badly they might be better off dead. There were no winners only losers. There were only winners no losers. Read the book and you be the judge. I read this book after the tragic events of 9/11 becuase I knew the US would have to eventually use similar tactics in persuit of the terrorists. After the bombing has done it's damage the Delta Force and Rangers will lead the way as they did Somalia on special operations. I hope the lessons were learned by the brass and the errors can be corrected as learned from the mistakes made in Mogadishu. This book is highly suggested reading material as a preview for our sending ground troops into Afghanistan. Let us not make the same mistakes.
Rating: 
Summary: Required reading ...
Review: ... for anyone who thinks the war on terrorism will be easy, glorious or swift. "War is hell" is a cliche, but it's a perfect description of the story recounted by Bowden. He captures the humanity -- and the fallibility -- of America's best soldiers, extraordinary men pushed to, and beyond, their limits.
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Summary: Better Than Fiction
Review: Black Hawk Down combines action, suspense, danger and superbly documented history.
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Summary: A Cautionary Tale
Review: War is hell. Especially in this recount of The Battle of Mogadishu. Bowden wonderfully recreates the horror of modern battle. He shows how easily the best plans, the best men and the best equipment can be overcome. This tale is so timely these days with the US preparing to enter into type of battle again. This book offers so much to learn. I only hope that those who can learn from this book have read it.
Rating:
Summary: Good military history
Review: Entering a country to look for a dangerous criminal seems to close now to what Americans are doing in Afghanistan. I sure hope they have better luck.
Sad history with no happiness during it and of course no happy ending.
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